Not Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results? Start Here
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Hi @jkint1 , I'm sorry that you have to deal with the stress of a biopsy. Given the relatively small size of the abnormality are you having a stereotactic biopsy? While any invasion of the skin can cause bleeding the thin needle used in that method is less likely to cause a problem than a core biopsy needle which is larger.
Hopefully you will hear from the actual doctor soon. Usually a short stoppage of medication doesn't cause a huge problem but your cardiologist knows your situation. All the best for a benign result. Let us know how it goes.
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Hi @jkint1,
We're sorry to hear about all the anxiety you are experiencing while awaiting the results. Waiting is one of the most difficult parts. While Google can certainly be helpful for interpreting information, there simply isn't enough information to confirm your diagnosis yet otherwise the doctor would begin discussing what the next steps are with you (if any). I know it is hard, but some strategies that can help manage anxiety are engaging in grounding techniques, like the body scan exercise. There are also guided meditations that can be helpful. You could try one by Belleruth Naparstek, who is a social worker that has some free short guided meditations available online.
Please let us know once you hear more information from your doctor! We'll be hoping for the best for you. ❤️
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hello all,
Well today is biopsy day . It sure did come quick ! And I know that waiting for the results will be torture .. Just breathe …..
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I went through the BC hoops over a decade ago. I definitely had/have PTSD from all the treatments. Chemo 1, chemo 2, mastectomy, radiation, chemo 3, hormonal treatment.
Last year, to schedule the annual mammo on the remaining breast, I was ON HOLD for over 40 minutes to schedule before I hung up. (I am Neg for any gene for ANY cancer type they can test for currently. So I didn't try again, I was so pissed about the HOLD time.)
Last month, I got an email offering appointments with a private company (Her Scan) doing ultrasound breast scans in my town. I got an appointment using my phone. No being on hold. Just sign up on the phone. Easy peasy. WHY CAN'T the hospital mammogram people have this????
Now, the reason I am writing here is that they sent me the results and there is a suspicious 1.3cm heterogeneous area. I am usually a pretty calm person. But this has sent me into a tailspin of what ifs and PTSD.
I was considering getting a reconstruction last spring. It would have had to have been a Lat Dorsi w implant situation along with a prophylactic left side mastectomy and implant.
I then got the intensive cancer genetic testing and felt safe that I didn't need the prophylactic and backed away from the idea of having 2 boobs again. I had dreamed of having 2 perky boobs without having to ever wear a bra again in my life once they were healed. (I am currently 60/61 years old). But ultimately decided the risk of lymphedema wasn't worth it. I am 99% of the time walking around half flat.
I am rambling now. I wonder what the new advances are in treatment. My current oncologist doesn't even do cancer markers blood testing anymore. Is neoadjuvent chemo still a thing, or can I just get a mastectomy and be done with it?
Waiting for the oncologist team to call me back or write me on the portal is a new kind of awful since I know what happens moving forward if it's CA. If it's nothing I still think a prophylactic mastectomy is again in my future.
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went in for my first mammogram a couple weeks ago, I get on the radiology website to see my results several days later. It says they want additional tests. I call my gyn they say well you’re appointment is the 26th I said I want to talk to a nurse today please. She gets on the phone, does nothing to put me at ease. Get set up for additional imaging. I’m nervous. I get back to the radiologist they do the additional imaging. They had me wait. I thought this is normal, this is what they always do I’m guessing. She comes back to my waiting room and says we need to do a biopsy. That’s all she says. So I’m leaving for vacation with my family the very next day. Do I try to so the biopsy at a different radiologist? I don’t know. They only told me I need a biopsy so I have no clue how serious this is. Then I read the report. I start googling because I don’t understand what any of this means and she didn’t give me any information. Based on what the report says it seems pretty certain it’s cancer. I’m trying to remain positive but I didn’t expect her to tell me I need a biopsy. Idk what to do. Do I try to get the biopsy in Atlanta where we’re going to be for a week or do I wait until we get back. My husband doesn’t seem to understand what this is like for me. He says don’t worry until there’s something to worry about but it’s like all the sudden I can feel something inside my breast that I didn’t even notice before. Like before I was walking around not really even thinking about the fact I have breast and not it’s like I can feel every inch of it. I’m so conscious of it that I can’t not think about it. I’m scared. My 17 year old went to a pre college camp for the week and the rest of us are going to relax as a family and just have a good time..or that was the idea. As we were driving up here, her and I were talking about what it’ll be like to drop her off at school for real. She’s literally my best friend in the world. I have so many emotions. I’m just scared. I’ll be glad when we know what it is and we can figure out what the next step is. The not knowing is the worst. Sorry this is so long. Any advice would be great. What would you do? Would you try to get the biopsy done now or wait a week? I’m just so unsure about things
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Hi @waitingforanswers83, I'm sorry that you are in this stressful situation. While the possibility of breast cancer is scary it is not a medical emergency like a heart attack. You should wait until you return home from your vacation for the biopsy since a week (or even several) is not going to make a difference. It's not the kind of procedure that would be done at a random clinic like a flu test or an x-ray for an arm injury. In the less likely case the result is positive you want the procedure done where your doctors are and in the location where you would have treatment.
About 80% of breast biopsies are negative so there is a very good chance that your result will be benign. Set up a biopsy appointment for after you return, listen to your husband's excellent advice and try to enjoy the vacation. Doing enjoyable activities will help distract you from the worry. I hope the biopsy results are benign. All the best!
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@waitingforanswers83, great advice from @maggie15. We hope you can enjoy your vacation, and remember that indeed, most biopsies are negative. We're here for you!
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the biopsy came back negative. So that’s great news…I’m not anxious but I’m still feeling a bit uncertain. I’m a bit worried he didn’t biopsy the correct location. Has anyone ever had this happen? What should I do here? I’m thinking of talking with my dr about since additional imaging tests after I’m healed from the biopsy….advise would be appreciated.
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The benign biopsy is good news. What kind of biopsy did you have; fine needle, core needle or stereotactic? If some type of needle biopsy was it guided by ultrasound? Did the radiologist leave a biopsy clip to mark the location? False negatives are rare, especially when imaging such as mammography or ultrasound is used. If a biopsy clip was left the exact location sampled can be seen on a mammogram. If you had symptoms such as a lump and the biopsy didn’t explain them (I.e. a fibroadenoma) a doctor might order additional imaging. Otherwise you might be put on a more frequent mammogram schedule for a bit. Make an appointment to discuss the results with your doctor if you are still concerned.
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it was a core biopsy. He did leave a marker. He just didn’t really exude a lot of confidence in finding the lump that combined with the fact he had a really hard time getting to the spot they were trying to biopsy just makes a little uncertain. I’m going to speak with the dr about maybe taking a look at it again with some additional imaging when it’s all healed. My breast looks like it’s been ran over by a bus at the moment so it may be a little bit still. I just want to feel comfortable and confident with the results they’ve given me. Breast cancer runs in my family and I’ve lost people to this horrible disease so I just think I’ll feel more comfortable getting a second opinion.
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Another mammogram should show the position of the biopsy clip and that can be compared to the imaging that triggered the biopsy. They did a mammogram right after my biopsy to check that the marker was in the appropriate spot. Having this done would give you peace of mind.
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I spoke with my general dr.. I’ve been having issues with my gyn. She agreed with my reasoning for being concerned and ordered new imaging and ultrasound so I’m going back again and having that done in a couple weeks after the biopsy location has healed. I really appreciate everyone being so nice on here. This whole experience has given me a whole new perspective on cancer diagnosis. My father had it and at that time I didn’t really know what he was going through and I still don’t but I have a better appreciation for the anxiety that he must have been going through. So thank you for your positive words ands feedback it’s so extremely appreciated.
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