Hi PJ. I thought I would be home free now.Friday I had my first mammagram since my cancer surgery . It looked bad. It had a strange dark spot on the film (where I felt a thin elongated lump)plus cacifications that were not nice and round like the safe ones. I had a needle core biopsy tuesday and I should have results by tomarrow. THe dr. said the mass could be fat necrosis. Hve you heard of that? It is not too far from the old surgery site. Even if that is what the mass is, I will still have to have more needle biopsys for the calcifications. I am sure that I will be back on here if they find anything. I have a sick feeling that they will. I guess it would have to be a separate lump with calcifications around it because they had clear margins in my surgical biospy and the surgery after the biopsy was completely clear last year. I can only hope this is a false alarm. Oh gosh, I have barely recovered from the last time.I hate this waiting too! thanks for listening .....jodi
Jodi, I'm sorry you are having to go through another diagnostic process so soon after your initial treatment. Fat necrosis is a fairly common problem. I don't know the exact stats, but I've known a lot of people over the years who had to have a biopsy following cancer treatment for shadows that turned out to be scar tissue or necrosis. I hope you get good news.
thanks! I got the results today and that is what it was.. .some type of fibrosis...now next week I have to have a steriotactic biopsy for calcifications..It is a little more gruesome than the needle core but hopefully better than going through a surgical biopsy. I hope that it will be as accurate.Scarey prospect..now I have to wait again.hopefully it will be benign also. This stuff never ends!
Gradually, Jodi, this will all become less scary. Trust me, we've all had these scares, post-cancer - pretty regularly. Hold onto your hope and faith - treatment is excellent these days, and chances are good cancer is gone, and you won't have to deal with it again. Best to you - PJH
thanks ...I will keep you posted..I hope you are right!
now I am worried because the calcifications that was found on the mammogram were linear....in a line.about 3 mm long...I am supposed to get the steriotactic biopsy done thursday but I am thinking now that I should contact my onchologist and surgeon first and make sure this is the correct procedure to do at this time. The area is not far from the surgery I had last year that was cancer. THey have their own doctors at sitemans cancer center...the ones that read the mammograms..do the biopsies. I am not sure now if I should trust them to make this decision though without seeing my onchologist...do you think the sterotactic biopsy would be the next step? thanks!
This type of biopsy is frequently used when calcifications cluster, especially when it is near the site of a previous cancer. However, I understand your wanting to have your regular doctors included in the loop on this procedure. Your oncologist and first surgeon know your history and might have some particular insight into your situation. Give your doctors a call and let them know what the new doctors want. I doubt they will disagree with the plan for the biopsy, but I'm sure they will want to be included in the report results. People get the best care when all the doctors are communicating with each other.
I think you are right phillis. I have good doctors. I need to make sure they are all informed to make sure I make the right decision. They also may be able to help me prepare for what might be ahead. I can't seem to wrap my head around it this time. I think I am in shock because I thought I was in the clear at least for a while. Thank goodness for my husband. He is very supportive. It is taking a tole on him though. I will call my other doctors tomarrow and will keep you informed. THanks for your reply. This site is a magor comfort to me. I appreiciate what you and PJ do..thanks again ...jodi
Jodi, linear calcifications aren't cancer - though they're a kind of "cancer shadow," an early warning that cancer may be developing. So they do need to be watched. As Phyllis said, make sure all your doctors are talking to one another. And, let's put the cards on the table - even if this is a recurrence of the original cancer, it simply means you'll be treated again. Yes, excruciatingly disappointing; but you've been through it once, and you know you can do it again. You may have to go through the grieving process again, complete with anger, denial, and all the rest; but know that you'll come out the other side, and things WILL look brighter, for you and your husband both. Hang in there - we're here for you. Again (if necessary), and always. PJH
I can't promise you that this biopsy will turn out benign. However, for the next few years, your doctors will probably aggressively biopsy areas that they might just watch in another patient because of your cancer history. I've had three biopsies, a lipoma (fatty tumor) and an ovary removed that my doctors said they probably would have just watched except for my history. I can't even begin to count the extra scans and tests doctors ordered because of my history. Fortunately, all those tests eventually turned out OK. I've never gotten over my anxiety when I need a new test. It's just part of the "new normal" of a cancer survivors world. Try to expect the best and focus on something distracting as much as you can.
thanks pj, I am afraid that that will mean a much more aggresive approach this time than lumpectomy and radiation. Hopefully if it is there, it isn't invasive this time. I just found out that I can't have radiation again. I didn't know that. Well , It doesn't do any good to worry. It is going to be a long week! I will see what the other doctors think....thanks
thanks phillis, Yes, I have to stay off the internet researching this and do something different for a while. I take care of two of my grand kids during the week. They are sure to distract me! I have alot of anxiety to start with. The good thing is that I already take xanax and ambien for sleep so maybe at least I can sleep. I have to take one step at a time or I am way overwelmed with this! YOu guys are great though. Women just need another women to talk to about this that understands. Most of my family and freinds won't talk about it and that makes me more anxious!
PJ, Hi, I am still set up for the steriotactic biopsy on thursday. My regular onchologist wrote the order. After reading this site today I discovered several woman that have had alot of pain from the titaniun markers that they put in. I called the nurse cordinator today at the hospital about it and she said she never heard of anyone with a problem from them. What do you think of this biopsy and these markers? Do I really have a chioce.??? My calcifications are really suspicious and linear. I don't want an extra surgical procedure if I don't need to but I am worried about future pain from these markers! thanks
Jodi, if you're worried about titanium and are prone to strong reactions, my advice would be for you to have the biopsy, and insist they then remove the markers - either immediately, or make a date to do it later, if necessary. It seems a small but still significant number of women have pain issues that they attribute to titanium. Stand firm! And good luck - PJH
thanks..if it turns out to be cancer, will they be able to find it without the markers?
Well, if it turns out to be cancer, they'll take the markers out along with the tumor, I'd assume. I think it's only when the biopsy is negative that they leave the markers in, just to avoid surgery... PJ
Oh yes, that makes sense. I guess they know what is best. It is hard to trust them completely but I guess I have no choice....thanks
Well I had the sclerio tactic biopsy today. It was very uncomfortable but not that bad. Not nearly as bad as I anticipated! They kept giving me more needle injections to numb any pain at all and for that I am very thankful! Hopefully I will find out the results Monday or Teusday...I am CHOOSING to beleive that the rusults will be good. EIther way, I think my husband and I need a vacation. Even if it is cancer, I don't want to deal with it for a little while...I want to find a relaxing place near the southern Illinios where I live, to get away!
Glad it went better than expected, Jodi. And I do hope the results are good - and that you find that relaxing place! I'm in NH so have no idea where you'd go in southern Illinois, but I'm sure you'll find the exact right spot. Cheers- PJH
thanks! I will keep you posted..I just want to run away from this stuff! I am sure you guys understand...
TOTALLY!!!!!!! (Can I run away with you?)
PJH
yes you can!
I had to make a quick trip this morning to the hospital where I had my biopsy done yesterday. I was in excruciating pain this morning and my breast was really red. TUrns out that the pain was nerve pain they said and the redness due to my tape allergy.It feels alot better now. I was afraid it was cellulitis as I had it after my lumpectomy last year...now I just have to calm down and wait!
Jodi, Jodi... what an adventure! Nothing comes easy, does it - even waiting! Hope you can get away this weekend- PJ
I sort of paniced I quess. I am glad they thought it wasn't infected though. The tissue was swollen and tramatized after over twelve samples taken! THe sterioatactic biopsys are pretty aggresseve...like drilling with a large hollow bit!!!!! Not to scare anyone though because I didn't feel that much during the procedure. NO, the waiting is not easy when there is so much at stake! Pateince is something I must learn but hopefully I won't have to beause of cancer. I am still beleiving it will be a good report. thanks for hanging in there with me PJ...
When I had my biopsy all I could think of was Roto-Rooter...
I'm here for you, Jodi - even though we're miles apart, I'm sending you healing energy and BEST wishes for a good outcome. PJ
thanks! No one here I can talk to about it!
IT was NOT cancer!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I just got my life back! I am in shock! Thanks guys for your support! I wish so much that all of you could have good news!