Waiting for more testing and sad and scared
I have been reading these boards and getting a lot of great information. I am 57 years old and I joined a while back when my mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, invasive lobular stage 4 which eventually spread to her bones and brain. I was lucky enough to spend so much time with her and be by her side when she passed away.
Anyway, I had a normal mammogram in February, but due to dense breast, category C my doctor ordered a breast MRI. The MRI came back with clumped non mass enhancement in my left breast 1.5 cm- right breast nothing. Years ago I breast reduction surgery, so I thought maybe that it was scar tissue.They said I was BiRads 4- (no letter?). I went in last week for a MRI Core needle biopsy, and they placed a marker. The biopsy just came back with normal breast tissue, I was elated until I read the radiologist report that these biopsy results were discordant with the MRI findings and a excisional biopsy is recommended. I have set up an appointment for a consultation with the surgeon, but not until April 2 which seems moons away.
I have developed a large hematoma from the biopsy, and noted that in the radiologists report that the titanium clip they placed migrated immediately 3 cm. I am not sure if they missed the area to be biopsied, and since the marker has moved, I am wondering if they do a surgical biopsy how will they know where to go since the marker has moved. I guess i am just wondering a lot of things that will probably be sorted out, but the anxiety is always there.
And I feel selfish, i have several fly fishing trips planned coming up in June and July and I am so looking forward to them, and worried that this is going to throw a wrench in them.
I am also scared of an open surgical biopsy. Does anyone have details about how this works? Of course in typical fashion I am putting the cart before the horse before I even meet with the surgeon.
Guess it is safe to say I am just overwhelmed and scared and sad, I just wish I could hurry things up. All of the women on this board have my utmost respect, they seem so compassionate and wise.
I guess it just fees good to tell this to someone…..
Beth
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Hello Beth - my path has been a bit different from yours, but I’ve been playing the waiting game since November. The short version of my story is screening mammogram - spot compression- ultrasound-second ultrasound- bilateral stereotactic vacuum biopsy (benign) and now waiting for excision surgery (bilateral). The only real advice that I have for you is to try not to freak out too much. I have wasted so much energy and so many tears that didn’t really help anything. Sometimes it’s great just to get it out, but I found that keeping my routine as helpful.
I too, am very worried about the surgical excisions, but a very good friend of mine had one a couple of years ago, and she said that her recovery was easier than the recovery from the stereotactic biopsy. I don’t know if that will be true for me, but I am using it to help me worry a little bit less.
A lumpectomy is the same procedure as an excision biopsy. If you look at that information, it is the same
Best wishes,Mary
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Thank you so much Mary, I’m so sorry you are going through your ordeal. I am trying to keep busy, (and not google anything lol) I haven’t told anyone except my husband of course what is going on really, because I really don’t know what is going on. Do you have your surgery scheduled? I will keep you in my thoughts.
Beth
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@horseshowmomma Yes, my surgery is scheduled for March 24th. Hopefully you will get yours scheduled soon. Sending good thoughts your way.
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Hi Beth,
I wish I had something helpful to say but I am a step behind you in this scary process. I did want you to know that after reading your post, I felt a little less alone. Best wishes for your health.
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hello, checking back in but still don’t know what is up. I had a excisional biopsy on Friday last week, and am now awaiting the results. The surgeon mentioned possibility of more surgery? i should have asked more questions….now just to keep busy until the results come in. I have been so tired since the surgery, but that was easier than the MRI guided wire insertations, that seemed to take forever going back and forth in and out of the machine, and gosh my one shoulder was just killing me, and my face laying on the mri platform. I am still so tired 3 days after the surgery, which kind of surprises me. Trying to stay positive, as i know most of these end up being nothing. But I am super anxious. I had general anesthesia for the procedure, so maybe lingering effects of that is what the tiredness is from? Ugh, the waiting stinks.
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