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Member of the "6 Month Watchful Waiting Club", Unite!

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Comments

  • Zeeba
    Zeeba Member Posts: 13
    edited March 2013

    Hi! Just scheduled my 6 month visit--it's on April 5th. I haven't decided on the prophylactic mast yet and have opted for surveillance for now--I'm BRCA2+. Good times!   Thanks for letting me visit!

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited March 2013

    Hoping for an uneventful mammo!

  • Irishwfl
    Irishwfl Member Posts: 2
    edited March 2013

    woo hoo the excisional biopsy was only atypical hyperplasia, no cancer.  I am done for 6 months

  • tamtam
    tamtam Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2013

    Hello everyone,  Sad to say I am a part of the 6 month watchful waiting club and I have an appointment coming up April 10th ... I have tried not to think about it for the last few months but here it is.  Its starting to sink in all over again and the worries are slowly coming back Frown  I have very dense breasts at the ripe old age of 47 lol and there scattered full of cysts, I have some complex cysts but there is one complex cyst they are watching its at the 2'clock position about 7 cm away from the left nipple. It states that it appears to have a purely cystic nodule with adjacent septations or small clusters of cysts. This whole area measuring 1.5 x0.8 cm in size. BI-RADS 3 and to follow up in six months.  Does it feel like just as you try to put it out of your mind for a little bit that six months are up and your right back to worrying all over again?

    This appointment will be for a repeat ultrasound and it will be out of town where the specialist is located :)  I would of had it done here in town but last time I went in they told me that the techs got together and flipped a coin before hand to see who didnt have to perform the ultrasound on me because I have to many cysts and take up to much time Cry  So here I am counting the days before my appointment.

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited March 2013

    (((tamtam))) I was a member or this club since July. Unfortunately in January, I became a member of another club...sigh. But, I am still waiting for another 6 month checkup so technically I am still a member. It is just that now I have even more reason to be worried..recurrence or a new primary!

    Praying that all goes well for you! Smile

  • tamtam
    tamtam Member Posts: 8
    edited March 2013

    Hi April :)

    I am sorry to hear about your Dx and to have to wait again to see if it comes back must be very very hard? How do you handle the stress of waiting? I see that you had a BI-RAD 3 as well? I had started off with a BI-RAD 1 a couple years ago and now it's a 3, so this time I'm not sure what to expect :(

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited March 2013

    tamtam, Waiting is the worst part! Diagnosis while awful was at least something. And, Birads 3 is usually benign so keep that in mind. Most people end up with benign results after a watch and wait. I just fell on the wrong side of the "most" this time. Hugs and know that you will get through this! Hoping your news is excellent after your mammo!

  • mkkjd60
    mkkjd60 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2013

    Hello ladies, as I write, my mom is dying of stage iv bc. She is 73. I am52. I rotate mammos and MRI every 6 months. Had my MRI and they found 7mm slightly enhanced nodule right breast. Recommended us and mammo. US thinks they found it but it is perfectly round margins 8.5 mm. Mammo doesn't really see it. Mammo came back birads 2. MRI came back birads 3. They put me on a 6 months watch. Thinking of insisting on a biopsy. I'm so emotional right now because of mom. Your opinions please. Thanks

  • sarahsmom
    sarahsmom Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2013

    Hi mkkjd60! I wanted to send you a hug today, so sorry!! I know you are worried. I think you should have the biopsy  - just think of the damage the emotional havoc and stress can do to you in 6 months!  Can they just take it out - even better - they can use a slightly larger needle for the biopsy and just take this out, I think!   I think any doc would understand that with mom as stage iv, you are very concerned.  I am glad it is round, that is a great sign.  Just wanted to bump this thread for others to respond with their opinions and to say I'm here for you!

  • mkkjd60
    mkkjd60 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2013

    Thank you, carpe.  I just cry all day about my mom.  She is the most wonderful mom ever.  She barely eats and has no energy.  Just sits in a chair all day.  Then I get this phone call and they tell me to be calm.  Really?  I read your note and called them and insisted they do a biopsy.  I told them I have enough on my plate and want to put this issue at least permanently behind me.  Thank you for understanding the emotional havoc and stress.  You have to touch this tar baby to know!  Bless you. Mary

  • sarahsmom
    sarahsmom Member Posts: 276
    edited March 2013

    Oh, Mary, I am so sorry!! I just want to give you a hug!!! Here comes one virtually! I am sending loads of positive thoughts and good karma your way that they can quickly remove this thing, it's benign, and on you go with your life.

    I feel so bad about your mom. Maybe you could go to the stage IV board and post in the family member area (those caring for a stage IV special person) and get some support from people going through the same thing. Maybe you could get some ideas about things to do for you mom or how to support her through this.  Does she like to garden? Maybe you could get her one of those kits where you grown herbs, or a terrarium. That is something I would love.  Or can she go on short day trips to get fresh air? Maybe you could have someone come to the house to do her hair or give her a manicure or pedicure so she feels better about herself. 

    I was thinking the other day how our moms take care of us when we are helpless and in the end, we do the same for them.  I watched it with my mom and guessing I'll be there someday myself....

    Keep me posted, and wishing you all the best on the biopsy and with your mom!

  • Rshep9101
    Rshep9101 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2013

    Hello, I too am a part of the 6 month club.  I was diagnosed with ALH after a diagnostic mammo and stereotactic biopsy in late 2010.  I had clustered microcalcs and some other symptoms. My dr. did an excisional soon after and since then I have had 6 month checks and mammo plus ultrasound every year.  They found two fibroadenomas but they are stable.  I haven't been active on the boards in a long time.  I had my clinical exam last week and it was all clear.  A few hours later my dr. called and said that she didn't think we were being aggressive enough and ordered an MRI.  I should mention my older sister is BRCA+.  I have very dense breasts and am 33.  We haven't done an MRI yet because we were worried about false positives due to fibrocystic changes and unnecessary biopsies.  My dr. said that I may have to allow her to biopsy some areas.  My sister is only 34 and has had over a dozen biopsies and at 3 surgeries to remove lumps.  Her breasts are horribly scarred and I am probably overly frightened of getting into a routine of being biopsied due to her experiences.  I have never had an MRI and am curious what I should expect from both the test itself and the liklihood of biopsies due to results. 

  • mkkjd60
    mkkjd60 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2013

    Hi rshep, sorry about your busy breasts. I have an MRI every year. My mom is stage iv. The MRI isn't terrible. I'm pretty claustrophobic so I make sure I load up on Xanax before hand. After that I'm good for nothing but at least I'm calm. You just lay in a tube on your tummy with your breasts hanging down in two pockets. It's really attractive! Lol. My husband goes in with me for moral support - and I think to laugh at me. I have had mris for 6 years and this is the first time I've been called back and put on the 6 months list for a birads 3 finding. But I'm insisting on a biopsy anyway. Just the way I'm wired. I'm not a wait and see sort of gal I guess. Are you also brac pos? Im not brc positive but my moms situation is what put me in the high risk category. And I'm pretty pleased with the vigilance even though it can be nerve wracking to get called back because of the sensitivity of the testing. I am considering a pbmx in the future. I'm pretty tired of being poked and prodded and just want to put the whole bc thing behind me and live without worry. I'm a control freak I guess. But at 52 it's not like my girls are anything to write home about and if I can avoid what my mom has endured I will gladly go under the knife. Wishing you well. Mary

  • Rshep9101
    Rshep9101 Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2013

    Thanks for the information :) It's just something new.... that ultimately reminds me of the fact that this whole thing is just part of my life.  My MRI is scheduled for April 9.  How long does it take to get the results ususally?

  • mkkjd60
    mkkjd60 Member Posts: 136
    edited March 2013

    I got my results that night believe it or not!  If you don't hear by the next day, call them.  My BS knows I'm a real PIA so she gets them to me pronto.  It's your life.  Be demanding, at least when it comes to this.  Please let us know how you do.  Blessings, Mary

  • melissadallas
    melissadallas Member Posts: 929
    edited March 2013

    Well, have to be there for my annual MRI at 7:30 in the morning. Gynecology oncology on Friday & will probably be there most of the day, PLUS have to start the requalification process for the uninsured program I'm in. Leave there & hit the road in awful Friday traffic to spend the night with my sister so I'll be closer to Wichita Falls on Saturday to attend the funeral for my lifelong friend. Follow-up with the breast surgeon the following Wednesday. Ugh!

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited March 2013

    (((Melissa))) Sorry about your friend Frown Hope all goes well with your MRI and that everything goes smoothly with the insurance issues and the traffic!

  • bean
    bean Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2013

    Hi all. I get my MRI results tomorrow. I'm sweat'n it a little bit. Just a sinking feeling I can't shake. Please send good vibes my way . . .

    Good luck with your tests, Rshep and Melissa!

  • melissadallas
    melissadallas Member Posts: 929
    edited April 2013

    Thanks April & Bean. Best wishes for eveyone waiting!

  • bean
    bean Member Posts: 15
    edited April 2013

    Oh happy days! I got an all clear on my MRI results! So relieved. I can breath again. I am praying with all my soul that everyone waiting on results get the same good news.  Smile

  • GramM
    GramM Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2013

    So glad to hear your good news bean. Celebrate!

  • melissadallas
    melissadallas Member Posts: 929
    edited April 2013

    Yay! So glad for you.

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited April 2013

    Happy dance for Bean!

  • Zeeba
    Zeeba Member Posts: 13
    edited April 2013

    Yeaaaa, Bean! I'm up for my 6m mammo Friday...fingers crossed!!

  • JanetM
    JanetM Member Posts: 47
    edited April 2013

    Wonderful!!!!

  • awb
    awb Member Posts: 213
    edited April 2013

    Rebekah---sorry to hear you are going thru this at such a young age.  I was diagnosed with LCIS (double the risk of ALH) almost 10 years ago and my risk is further elevated by my mom's history of bc (ILC)--oncologist says approx. 35% risk.  I took tamoxifen for 5 years, now I've been taking evista  for about 4 years, I continue with high risk surveillance of alternating mammos and MRIs every 6 months with breast exams on the opposite 6 months. I have not needed any more biospies or lumpectomies in all these years. (so it's not necessarily a "given" that you will with ALH, or even with LCIS). I just recommend a yearly transvaginal US if you do decide to take tamox, to monitor both the uterine lining and the ovaries.

    Bean--congrats on the good news!  I just got good clear results on my MRI of last week also.  Melissa--praying you get good news too!

    Anne

  • melissadallas
    melissadallas Member Posts: 929
    edited April 2013

    Damn, damn, damn...Birads 4 again. Won't know any details until my f/u on Wednesday.

  • Zeeba
    Zeeba Member Posts: 13
    edited April 2013

    Sorry to hear that, Melissa---thinking good thoughts for you!!!

  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 1,983
    edited April 2013

    Damn Melissa!!!!!!!!!!Yell I am so sorry honey. Praying all will be benign. This stuff is for the birds! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

  • melissadallas
    melissadallas Member Posts: 929
    edited April 2013

    O.K., the gynecology resident read me part of the report & told me Birads 4. Just now got letter in the mail that my "mammogram" (I had an MRI) was normal. That has an electronic sig from the radiologist who read it. Breast surgeon appointment is Wednesday...

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