Mammogram call-back

[Catrin]

I went for my annual screening Friday morning, and I've a follow up screening Wed morning :eek:

I KNOW that chances are things are fine, and I've had cysts in that breast before. The fact that my mom just died of cancer in September doesn't help though, and her first (of 3) cancers was breast cancer. Trying very hard not to stress but am not having too much luck with that. At least I will get the results before leaving the office Wednesday morning, and my scan/ultrasound/whichever is at 7am.

I don't want to call my sister and tell her, for obvious reasons. She is also preparing to get married in 4 weeks, so, I came here instead ;)

[ny biker]

I got called back last fall. It does happen fairly often and does not always mean the results are bad. I told a friend who said she had also been through it, years ago. In my case, they just didn't get a clear enough picture. (Part of me thinks they just wanted to scare me into paying extra for the 3D mammogram in the future, since I declined to do that for the initial exam.)

My approach to this kind of thing is to make a plan for what my next step would be in case of the worst-case scenario, and then hope for the best.

Good luck.

[OakLeaf]

Hang in there Catrin. Hope everything comes back clear.

+1 on planning out the next steps, although from personal experience I can tell you that it's very difficult to damp the emotions down enough to comprehend the medical journal articles at times like this. Do the best you can, it's all anyone can do.

I'll be thinking of you.

[Catrin]

Well, you KNOW my mind has already gone there...but at least it won't be too long until I find out if there is really anything to be concerned about. In the end, there isn't enough information yet, but that doesn't shut down the emotions. Thankfully I've a kick-butt group training session tomorrow, AND I meet with my new Kettlebell training coach at noon on Wed. so regardless of the news, there will be some stress relief. I am better at dealing with actual emergencies and crisis than I am thinking about all of the what-if stuff - but I suspect many of us are like that.

[Crankin]

I will be thinking of you Catrin.
For what it's worth, I've been called back twice, not including the experience with the needle biopsy when I was 34 years old!
No history at all in my family, so my mind was going wild, too.

[Catrin]

I will be thinking of you Catrin.
For what it's worth, I've been called back twice, not including the experience with the needle biopsy when I was 34 years old!
No history at all in my family, so my mind was going wild, too.

Yikes Crankin, I hope that was the end of your being called back! Since it is the same side, I am hopeful it is just the return of the cyst. I will know in about 36 hours.

[ny biker]

Hang in there Catrin. Hope everything comes back clear.

+1 on planning out the next steps, although from personal experience I can tell you that it's very difficult to damp the emotions down enough to comprehend the medical journal articles at times like this. Do the best you can, it's all anyone can do.

I'll be thinking of you.

I focus on just one next step, and keep it simple. Like "call cousin who is a nurse and ask her what I should do now" or "make appointment with Dr. GYN-who-I-trust-more-than-any-other-doctor to ask him what I should do next." Back when I lived 1000 miles from my family and had a lump removed from my shoulder blade, my planned next step was "buy a plane ticket and go home." More than anything, it's something to focus my thoughts on.

(When the biopsy on the shoulder blade lump came back negative, my actual next step turned out to be "buy donuts for everyone at work.")

[azfiddle]

Catrin,

I had the same experience last year. It turned out to be fine- not a problem, but I totally understand how nervous you might feel. Most likely it will be not be a problem - and there is nothing now you can do to change what it is so try to stay calm and take things just one step at a time. I'll be thinking of you and hope it's all fine.

SHaron

[Helene2013]

Same here 3 years ago. Was going in for mammo prior to breast reduction. Do normal mammo, get a call that I have to go back for a close-up mammo in one breast as there was a part that was too dense for them to see well. Did that, stressed but not too much (hubby was a nutcase though) as I am not the typ to stress until there is a real reason for it. Called me back to say still not good results and I have to go through an ultrasound this time. ouch. So went and the doctor was able to show me right away that it was just normal fluid pockets like we have and he even did the other breast to show me. Whew.... breath in/breath out! Now that I am at 50YO I got a letter for the government to get free-scanned. Just need to make appointment. I'm in no hurry. wonder why. hihi

So hang in there! Chances are it is just that...nothing to worry about. But don't we all stress as soon as a doc says he wants to see us back, or more testing needs to be done. Heuh.

[Crankin]

Catrin, my 3 experiences were many years apart. The first one, which resulted in the needle thing, stemmed when my ob-gyn felt a lump during my annual exam. Now, this was 1987, I had a 2 and 4.5 year old, and I was a wreck. It was a cyst that disappeared. The other 2, were just couldn't get a good reading.

[shootingstar]

Ask if you have fiborous boobs. Seriously.

[Catrin]

Ask if you have fibrous boobs. Seriously.

I will, never thought of that. I imagine something like that can cause a lot of initial false positives... I've also made a short list of a couple of things I will do if they don't think it is a cyst.

[snapdragen]

I had an ultrasound after my mammogram because I have "dense breast tissue". Pbbbt. My doc does have a very cool 3D ultrasound though. They found a small cyst (of course they did, because having stage 1 ovarian cancer isn't enough fun in itself. :D..) so I go back in three months so they can look at it again. If things go like they usually do, the cyst will be gone. I've had numerous call backs over the years, I understand your stress and fear Catrin.

[emily_in_nc]

Catrin, just wanted to let you know I am thinking of and pulling for you. Chances are, it's nothing. Look at how many just in this group have been called back and had it be nothing...

Hang in there...I know the hours are dragging, but you'll know very soon.

[Pax]

Thinking of you Catrin, the waiting part is so un-fun.

[Catrin]

It does help that I've been here before and it turned out to be fine. One thing about being a DDD/F cup is there is a lot of tissue there to get things like cysts... I don't think I would be giving it a second thought if it wasn't for my Mom. I've also never taken hormones since losing my entire reproductive system in 2008 so that does decrease my breast cancer changes - if they are right on that. Thankfully I've a kick-butt workout in 90 minutes which will help :)

[Grits]

Best of luck and all good thoughts and prayers for you.

Like many of us, I've been there and luckily was fine. I was just thinking this morning how I wish there was a way to get back all the hours I've spent worrying over health issues over the years, both real (because the worrying certainly didn't help) and imagined. I'm worrying about a nagging pain right now! I'm sure I'll go ahead and schedule a doctor's appointment, because that ends up being the only way to stop worrying. In most cases, if I had waited another three days, the issue would have resolved itself!

I like the advice to have a plan for the worst and then hope for the best and stay as busy as possible until you get the results.

Peace and (((Hugs))))!

[Catrin]

It isn't over....the diagnostic mammogram showed the same area that is, hopefully, a cyst so they did an ultrasound. The ultrasound found nothing of concern in the same area, but found some other oddities. So the mammogram and ultrasound aren't agreeing with each other. So on March 21st they want to aspirate what looks like a cyst in the ultrasound and then do another mammogram to see if the oddity still exists in the mammogram. If the oddity is gone then I am done for the next year. Hopefully that is what will happen :)

[Pax]

Sorry to hear that, I remember what a PITA it was when I had huge boobs. Something was always looking weird, like you said, just too much tissue.

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. ((((((Catrin)))))) Good luck.

[Crankin]

Hoping this goes smoothly for you.
My 2 call backs were for "dense breasts" and I hardly have any boobs at all :eek:.

[ny biker]

Hoping this goes smoothly for you.
My 2 call backs were for "dense breasts" and I hardly have any boobs at all :eek:.

I've been told several times by the mammogram people that I have dense breasts. It always makes me think of Wahine's signature (She's a little dense). :)

Good luck, Catrin. Let us know how it goes.

p.s. about your sister, you might want to talk to her. Think of what you would want her to do if the situation was reversed. We all handle stress differently, but it could be that she would want to know, and to support you.

[Catrin]

Apparently mine aren't very dense, she showed me my images and pointed out what density looks like. I do have some areas that are, but they aren't bad.

I did speak with my sister. She IS a nurse and she said something about driving up there to slap me if I hadn't told her :)

[emily_in_nc]

Bummer that this is not over for you yet, Catrin. I know you don't want or need the stress of worrying for any longer -- wish they could have gotten you in a bit sooner. :(

Keeping everything crossed for you!

[snapdragen]

Gah! Hang in there Catrin, we're all with you.

[grouch2]

Thinking of you Catrin. Waiting is hard. Stay busy, take care of yourself and don't let your mind drift off into possibilities.
I'm a 15 year Breast Cancer Survivor (Stage IIb) and a Melanoma survivor (very early catch).
I've had many, many call backs after Mammos, many ultrasounds, 3 biopsies, 1 partial mastectomy, 2 MRI's, 1 PET scan, and so on and so on.
I'm still here and I'm still riding.
Chances are, you'll have your answers and walk away free on Wednesday. The odds are in your favor.
Please let us know how things turn out.

[Catrin]

Thanks everyone! I am focusing on keeping myself busy and occupied until Friday when I have the needle aspiration and yet another Mammo... hopefully with good news.

[brigada]

Oh god, they are really taking their time. This must be nerve wracking for you :(

I hope it all goes well and turns out to be just fine! :)

[Wahine]

Just catching up on this. Thinking about you and good luck.

[azfiddle]

Keeping my fingers crossed for you and will check back in tomorrow for your update.

[Catrin]

I've been more stressed than expected this week, and now my keyboard and mouse are no longer working. Computer isn't frozen...but my input devices are not working. Thank goodness for smart phones! I should know something by mid-afternoon tomorrow, and hopefully all of this will prove to be a tempest in a teapot. I am taking tomorrow off work and have a stress relieving kettle bell workout planned tomorrow morning here at home.

Thankfully I got the computer up and going though it took some time. Unsure what the problem was, hope it doesn't return!

[emily_in_nc]

I hope you get the "all clear" very soon, Catrin. We just lost a dear friend to metastatic breast cancer yesterday at the age of 55. I don't want to hear any more bad news, ya' hear me?!

[Catrin]

No all clear yet :( The cyst, if that is what it is, is stubborn and refused to aspirate. They told me that this can happen if the liquid is too thick for the size of the needle and isn't uncommon. It is, however, officially now a "nodule", but that doesn't mean it isn't benign. My doctor had refused to order a needle core biopsy if it wouldn't aspirate so now things are back in his court. Hopefully I will hear from his office Monday after he gets the results from the radiologist, if not I will be calling Monday afternoon for an appointment. I am hoping we can avoid a surgical biopsy, they don't seem to think that it looks cancerous... I don't have a budget for all of this and I've a high-deductible insurance plan so it is hard to know the best way to proceed.

I went out this afternoon and went walking in the woods after treating myself to a wonderful triple mocha. I also started the day with a great workout at home that featured all of my kettlebells and jungle gym. Very thankful to have expanded my equipment!

[Crankin]

I am sorry you have more to go through. Why did your doctor refuse to order the core needle biopsy? I am not really well versed in these things, but it seems like it would be the next step.

[Catrin]

I am sorry you have more to go through. Why did your doctor refuse to order the core needle biopsy? I am not really well versed in these things, but it seems like it would be the next step.

Well, they asked him prior to the appointment and I don't know. One of the nurses told me that some doctors prefer more control over everything then approving everything in advance. I will find out more when I speak with him. They DO think there is a low chance of it being cancer, so perhaps that is why? I am sure I will find out next week.

[OakLeaf]

Aw, Catrin, so sorry you have to go through more of this.

I would actually take it as a good sign that your doctor didn't want to sign off on the stereotactic in advance, that he wanted to weigh the risks and benefits in your particular case. Hoping for the best - hang in there, take good care.

[Pax]

So sorry you got no resolution in this, the waiting part just stinks! Still sending you warm healthy thoughts.

[emily_in_nc]

Ugh...so sorry you still don't have definitive results, Catrin. Since I also have a high-deductible health insurance plan, I understand your dilemma. Hope you can talk to your doctor soon about how best to proceed from here.

[Helene2013]

What a bummer that you have to wait and go through some more. Sending you +++++++ vibes that all be ok and a thing of the past very soon.

[Catrin]

I will speak with him soon. I think he can't be too worried about my risk since he clearly told them not to do a biopsy if the aspiration failed. I don't want to go there unless there is a real concern. I am feel better and less stressed today. I appreciate all of the good thoughts!

[shootingstar]

Hoping the best for you, Catrin

[Catrin]

I had a good talk with my doctor this afternoon, and we decided on a 6-month call-back for a diagnostic for at least a few years rather than proceeding with further testing. He felt my risk is actually quite low, and that sometimes people get in a "testing treadmill" that is appropriate at times, but not always. Obviously if there is any change in the cyst then we will take the next step, but I am comfortable with this approach. I think it is reasoned and weighs out both risks and benefits. I greatly appreciate the support during this stressful time, hopefully there won't be a return of this anxiety in 6 months...

[OakLeaf]

That seems like a smart approach. I hope it's reassuring to you.

(((((Catrin)))))

[Crankin]

It sounds extremely well thought out!

[azfiddle]

That sounds reasonable to me- how are you feeling about it?

[Catrin]

I am ok with this approach, it is a good balance of risks and benefits. I really like my doctor - he is an Osteopath and has no problem sitting down and talking/explaining things. He even showed me some of his references that helped make the choice in the "decision tree", so to speak.

[Helene2013]

Happy that you can put this in the back of your mind for the time-being.

[Pax]

My doc is a DO as well, love that hands on approach! Glad your doc is in the "do less" camp, so many seem to want to subject you to every possible test/procedure under the sun.

[Catrin]

My boss is a bit concerned that we are taking this approach, and frankly it is proving a little difficult to dial back my stress but I think that would have happened either way. It is challenging for me to let go of things so this gives me a chance to work on that. Frankly, even with a biopsy I would have that problem as a woman in my church had a "false negative" on HER biopsy. So focusing on other things and just breathing a bit. Trying not to stress too much in advance of getting the bill for the last three tests... I know it won't be market rate so THAT helps.