Member of the "6 Month Watchful Waiting Club", Unite!
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I guess we're all different. I've been doing the 6 month surveillance for over 10 years, and it definitely has gotten much easier over time. Especially with each clear scan.
Anne
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I don't worry about it at all until a couple of days before my six month "whichevers" any more. I refuse to waste my life worrying constantly about something I have little control over that likely will never happen.
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I can relate to all of this. I've been doing the 6 month follow up for 6 years (2 excisions + 3 cores over that period). If I have to find a positive out of all of this I would say that this experience has awoken me from a sort of middle age torpor. I'm very conscious of the impermanence of everything in life and so I try harder to make the most of each day and be more daring about things I have always wanted to try. I get past my fears and no longer let any opportunities pass. It's actually made me feel younger. It's my attempt to slap down the anxiety caused by the six month process we all have to endure. Try it, it's empowering.
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Hi!
Another one here to join the 6 month monitoring club. I am 32. Last year at age 59 my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy and radiation. She was finished her radiation a couple of months when I started having bleeding from the right breast. For quite some time I just put it down to finishing up breastfeeding my little one, but eventually I did go get it checked. I have quite dense breast tissue that has always felt very lumpy so if it weren't for the bleeding I probably wouldn't have had a mammo until I was coming up to the usual screening age. Anyway, I am definitely grateful that it was an obvious thing because at least now I am on a regular check up schedule! Mammogram found 3 masses and I had biopsies on those sites followed by a wire locator procedure and lumpectomy. Happily everything came back as benign and were papillomas. The surgeon took quite a bit of tissue and said that she saw other small clusters of similar tumors when she was inside but she is not concerned about them for now. I am healing well and just had a check up today - she wants me back in 4 months for u/s. She said that if it had been just one papilloma my risk wouldn't be increased but multiples do increase risk and particularly with my family history. She is not recommending genetic testing at this time. This has all been a bit of a whirlwind - I think if it hadn't been so close to my Mom's diagnosis it might have been a little less stressful, but it is hard to keep a level head when you have just nursed someone through cancer. I am so grateful that it all benign. I do have some questions though - for those of you who are being watched, are they watching both breasts or just the one that had issues? The reason I ask is that my surgeon is only interested in doing u/s on one side but both of my breasts are very lumpy so I'm not sure I would pick up on a change on the left unless it was significant. Also, I was wondering how many of you have screening MRI's? My doc would like to do one in a year or two but I am eligible for a clinical trial of a screening MRI here - I'm not sure how long post-surgery I would have to wait to do it though.
Sending you all happy and healthy wishes!
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Hello, ladies, I am back! I live in the Middle East and my 6 month mammo is....1 year overdue. I've decided to wait until I get back to the states to see my clinic instead of opening a can of worms over here. I am worried, of course, have been floating on the river "denial" and it's been lovely! How wonderful not to have the 6 month theatrics! I was able to finish my doctoral degree from over here and write a book. Why keep so busy, you ask? Well it takes my mind of what could be "cooking" inside of me, I suppose. Will face the music in June and see what is or isn't happening. I will have no regret if something terrible pops up, I truly feel like this has been a year of discovery and progress for all of my goals, I really don't have any left other than to be a good mom and maybe do little more writing. I have pain in both of my hips not, but unfortunately, I've gained 10 pounds over here while being a sedentary writer and student, so that weight must come off. Working on it! Probably why my hips hurt.
Hugs to all of you in the 6 month club!
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Hello Everyone-
I am hoping for some guidance as I am just joining the club. I'm 40 years old and 6 weeks ago I noticed a few blood drops on the inside of my left bra. I went to the doctors immediately and was scheduled for a mamo and an ultra sound. Both came out negative. I still have a few drops a week so I went back to my primary. He sent me to a breast surgeon. She said she did not see anything on the tests either but she wanted to schedule a duct excision. I freaked out because I have never had any surgery and I'm terrified about cancer. I asked if I can wait and she said yes I can do what ever I want. So my question to you ladies would be should I have the duct excision or wait and see if it clears up on it's own. I have not had discharge for 2 weeks although the surgeon squeezed it on Monday and a drop came out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!
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Hi. I am new here. This isn't a club I wanted to join, but it looks like I am in good company.
I had my screening mammo on 4/23. Came back with calcifications and a developing focal asymmetry on the left breast. So, had the diagnostic, which was unclear. Ultrasound immediately followed. The focal asymmetry is at 7 o'clock, but the u/s tech only noted what she said is a cyst at 12 o'clock. I don't know why she didn't u/s the correct area. Anyway, she said because I am 40, it's a cyst, and "probably" nothing to worry about. She also said it will be a 6 month follow up.
When I talked to my doctor yesterday, she told me my insurance will not pay for a second opinion, but when, not if, it changes, to go see her. I have DCIS in the right, and am very concerned. I am also not a "probably" type person.
So, I hope you guys don't mind if I hang out here with you...
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Chrismarie: the most likely cause of the blood is a papilloma. They are benign. Not sure if they all show up on US but mine did. However they found it on an MRI first so they knew exactly where they were looking. Did the surgeon send the blood she removed off to be checked? I would say that it's important to figure out what's causing the discharge but if they can't find something to do a needle biopsy of then it sounds like that she has given you the best choice. Unless one of the ladies here knows better. From what I've read Papilloma's can be microscopic. As I said they are benign but from what my doctor said they can slightly increase your risk for cancer. It's a bit controversial as to how to treat those, but it seems like most doctors still remove them and the ducts that are associated with them. It's what I'm having done with mine on the 27th. If it was me and they couldn't tell me what was causing the discharge I'd have the surgery. However my family history puts me at higher risk for breast cancer. But when the doctor gave me the option of watching it with 6 month follow ups she also said that if I started having discharge it should be removed. (I don't have any) I'm having mine removed now because I've started having pain and they don't know what is causing it. It started after my core biopsy and hasn't gone away in almost 3 months. She says that pain is not a common side effect of papillomas but there are rare reports of them causing it. The only way to know for sure is to remove it and see if the pain goes away. You have to do what feels right with you.
Laura: Do I understand this right? You have DCIS and they found something new on your mammogram. When they did the US they didn't look at the area in question, but saw a cyst elsewhere and they are calling it "good" to go? Did you call your insurance co and find out what they say about a 2nd opinion? Tell them that you don't believe the US tec checked your entire breast, nor did they check the area that your report noted the problem in. When they sent me for a follow up US they always checked my entire breast and the other side too. I would also call the facility where the US was done and report that you did not feel the US was thorough. It sounds to me like it's time for you to get a new doctor if yours wasn't addressing your concerns. If there is something on the mammogram and it didn't show up on the US I would think that a biopsy or MRI would be the next step even for someone who isn't already high risk. Hopefully whatever it is, is benign. But you deserve a better answer than you've gotten.
Good luck to both of you.
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Thank you, WolfsLady. I am in the process of fighting with my insurance company, and being sent to a different facility. To say I don't feel right about this report is a major understatement.
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Wanted to update you, WolfsLady. Just came back from my doctor. I am being sent for a surgical consult next Tuesday. When she did the CBE, she found "several nodules, including one that is hard and immovable". It also seems to be going into my underarm. I have to admit, I am frightened by how quickly it went from "we're going to try to get a second opinion" to her setting up the consult for next week.
However, I am so relieved that she LISTENED to me.
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I am so glad that someone listened to you too. It's always great when it's nothing to worry about, but only if you can be sure that it's nothing to worry about. No way the answers you had were enough to make you feel confident with any answer they gave you. I'll be looking for updates hoping that you get good news. My surgery is scheduled for the 27th and I'm very nervous about it.
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Please know you will be in my thoughts and heart. I will be checking for updates from you.
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I was diagnosed by a 3D mammogram about a year ago after 12 years of mostly regular mammograms and two or three six-month-followup cycles that never returned anything but B9 diagnosis. The frequent diagnostic mammos were for calcifications. I had extremely dense breasts, multiple calcifications in both breasts but was never referred for other tests until my 3D mammo last year.
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I know everyone has better things to do than hear me whine, and I'm sorry. I am very concerned about the appointment with the breast surgeon tomorrow. This stupid lump has not gone away, after more than one cycle, and every so often, I feel like a wasp has gotten into my bra. Sorry to be so graphic. My DCIS in the right was found 4 years ago by a radiologist who was paying attention, and sent me for an MRI, after the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. I really almost don't want to go tomorrow. I'm really trying to be positive, but something is just "off", it that makes sense.
Muska, if I have to, I will request a 3D mammogram. Unfortuantely(?), I have had my breasts all my life, and I know them better than anyone. I also have very, very dense breasts, which no one thought to tell me until a few weeks ago.
Thanks for letting me vent.
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I'm so sorry you're scared Laura. I would be too. (((Hugs))) and good luck tomorrow.
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Sorry, Laura. Good luck.
I'm in the '6 month club' too. I'm in NE and am wondering where the best facility would be to go to? Is there a place that regularly updates their technology? Is there a hospital that someone would rec?
I notice Muska that you are in Boston (Go Sox!) and am curious where you go.
Thanks and boy am I grateful to have found this place.
Thinking of you tomorrow, Laura.
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Lovelush, University of Nebraska Medical Center is the only NCI designated cancer center in Nebraska. They probably have a good screening program too.
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Whoops!
Melissa, thank you for so kindly responding. I meant that I was in New England. Specifically, Connecticut. I would be willing to travel in CT, RI, MA or NY.
That was really sweet of you. I'm so happy to have found this site.
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No bad news, but no good news, either. Just more wait and see. WolfsLady, how are you?
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I am now an official member of this club. I'm really happy about that actually, considering the alternative. I was diagnosed with flat epithelial atypia on core biopsy in April, and the BS agreed that close follow-up was a reasonable alternative to excision, IF I got a clear MRI. Got my MRI results on Friday, and all clear, no enhancement!
I'm sure I'll be feeling differently 6 months from now when I'm waiting for test results again, knowing they will want to get me into surgery ASAP if anything shows up. But for now I'm so relieved!
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hi lovelush, in Boston I would certainly go to Dana Farber or Mass General - if I were diagnosed or needed a second opinion.
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Thank you for asking: I'm doing really well. Waiting on my results over the weekend has been stressful. Don't know why they didn't call me with them on Friday when they were supposed to be ready that afternoon. Don't they realize how much more we worry when they tell us something will be ready and we don't get the call? Next just tell me Monday and if you call on Friday that's great, if not I won't wonder if you are having to add tests.
The surgery really wasn't bad at all. The worse part was that I had a reaction to the clear film they put over everything. I got blisters from the stuff and it was so painful I wanted to cry. The surgery site was sore but not nearly as awful as that. Thankfully everything is healing well. I feel sort of silly for being so worried when it wasn't that bad.
When do you hear something more?
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Good morning! I'm guessing I am now a member of this club as well. In March I started getting stabbing pains in my left breast (probably fibrocystic changes)so I went to the doctor and she found a lump. Next a diagnostic mammo - BIRADS 0. Ultrasound, BIRADS 3, hypoechoic avascular (yay!) curvilinear cystic lesion. Sent to surgical oncologist for a partial aspiration (still unclear why it wasn't a full aspiration). She called for a 4 week follow-up ultrasound. SO hasn't called with results yet (been one week) but radiologist said that he didn't see anything too worrisome. Funny he said the same thing as the last radiologist! So I'm going to guess the SO is going to say that stability has been established for now and we wait for six months. Either that or a biopsy. She had mentioned that a biopsy may occur depending upon the results of the second US during the aspiration appointment.
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Hi all....I'm a frequent flyer of these boards but figured I'd stop in here since I too am playing the waiting game at the moment. I've been down this road before but had a BIRAD 5 at the time of diagnosis. Now I have BIRAD 3 and scheduled for a biopsy. I'm in search of information as to whether any BIRAD 3s turn our to actually be malignant.
Hugs to all!
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Hi ladies, I'm baaaaack! Was living overseas for 2 years on a great adventure with the family...guess what that meant - yep - I blew off all of my 6 month rechecks. Well they were thriving and we all were living on the edge traveling to crazy places, etc. I didn't want to be a big wet blanket on the party, so made a pact with myself NOT to beat myself up if something was "cooking" and that included avoiding self exams, and all of those weird pains we get, twinges, etc. I'm now officially 18 months behind, sigh. Time to face the music - I need to make an appt this week, I've been avoiding it for 2 months already... will check back soon. Here we go again.
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I was put on a 3 month schedule. I had my first mammogram in July BIRADS 3 and will follow up in October. I wish they would just biopsy and let me know what's going on. I lost my sister and my grandma to breast cancer and to say I'm nervous is an understatement. I have had the blood drawn for the BRCA1/2 but don't have results yet. I am having occasional nipple inversion and finally have an appointment to see a breast specialist Aug 31st. The waiting is horrible. Is there anything I can do to move things along? Or anything I should ask at the appointment with the BS. I'm totally at a loss.
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HI Dorjeanne, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,
We're sorry you're here and waiting, but you've come to a wonderful, supportive place for doing so. Please keep us posted on your appointment on the 31st and what you find out. In the meantime, try and keep calm and keep yourself distracted by visiting with family/friends, taking up a hobby, or doing other things you like. You're sure to get lots of good advice from the other members here shortly, too!
We hope this helps!
--The Mods
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Im on the M&M plan as well (mammo and mri ) and I buy M&Ms after each of those appointments
Ive only been on this ride since 6/25/14 and Ive had 2 bx and 2 lx, the 2nd ones happened on my first 6mo check up. Breast specialist in sept and mri will be nov. 0 -
Those M&M's sound good after the 6 month checks. I too have been on this 6 month journey for 2 years. It started in July 2013, with abnormal mammogram then biopsy later that month. They found benign condition, then in 2014, my 6 month follow up of that left breast was found something new and suspicious, had another biopsy Feb 2014. They were atypical cells, so my breast surgeon did lumpectomy, excisional biopsy to remove the area in question, that was March 2014, had 6 month follow up and annual all was stable and good, had 6 month follow up in Jan 2015 for problem left breast, all was good there, but when I went for my annual in July 2015, they see some groups of calcifications in right breast! Did additional testing and say BRADS 3, to follow up in 6 months, probably benign. Met with the breast doctor Aug 2015 and we are doing another 6 month check in January to see if it all stays the same. In the mean time before then I have to see if I can get approval for a 3D Mammograms because of my dense breasts. I feel like this is always hanging over my head. I am a huge worrier. I will try and go on with no worries till January rolls around. I feel every time I go they find something, and I have no family history of breast cancer. Good luck to all the ladies I hope your next mammogram gets good results.
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Welcome home desertstorm, it sounds like you've been on quite the adventure. Checking back in for my 6 month "M&Ms". Mammo next Monday. I'd actually gotten really good at not stressing and taking long "brca-vacations", where I'd go weeks without once thinking about cancer or worrying. That became significantly harder when Mom was recently diagnosed with her 2nd BC in 10 years. Now it all sort of feels inevitable. I hope that doesn't sound terrible..... Anyway, fingers crossed for clear scans for all of us.
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