<p>For me, cancer turned me from a worry about everything type of person to one who can really take each day at a time. When I was first diagnosed the feeling was indescribable, it hit me right in my core, a deep horrible feeling. I am lucky to be a person of faith as that is what really got me through my 7 month ordeal. My faith deepened and I felt comfort and peace from my relationship with God.
My mantra was " I can do all things with Christ who strenghtens me"
I will never call cancer a blessing, but I received many blessings during my journey.</p>
<p>A few more words about the needle biopsy–they take <em>very</em> good care of you through the whole thing. I had three people with me the whole time–the doctor, a nurse who was helping him, and this lady whose job as best I could tell was to rub my back and give me reassuring words. The positioning took longer than taking the samples. I thought the idea of the clip was kind of cute–it’s a small titanium object (“about the size of Lincoln’s nose on a penny”) they leave in so the area can be easily located in future. There are several shapes, including the breast cancer swoosh. I asked for Mickey Mouse ears but they aren’t available.</p>
<p>The most disconcerting thing to me was the <em>sound</em> when taking the samples, although they warned me about it. It’s just pretty loud–sounded to me like a staple gun.</p>
<p>Also, the aftercare was more than I’d expected. Somebody <em>should</em> have told me to make sure to have a sports bra at home (which I happened to, but still). You need to wear something with a lot of support 24 hours a day for the first (?–2-ish–?) days. You’ll be wrapped up in an ace bandage around the chest.</p>
<p>I can also tell you the only significant pain I had with any of the procedures was the evening of the needle biopsy (not with the bigger surgery for some reason). I was all “oh I can make dinner/bug the kids about homework/. . .”, but was in quite a bit of pain by evening. (They don’t want you taking aspirin/ibuprofen which are blood thinners, and I swear acetaminophen has never worked on me.) Don’t know if it was cuz mine was directly on the bottom of the breast (“6:00”), but I felt LOTS better when I laid down on my back. I think just taking the pressure/gravity off was what I needed. Was really up and about and attending youth sporting events the next day.</p>
<p>Teri – I forgot to mention that they numb you with injections prior to the biopsy!</p>
<p>Let’s all focus good energy in HeartArt’s direction today as she meets with her doctor.</p>
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<p>You know, I think this is the funniest thing after reading all these accounts. I believe all the stories that it’s basically a painless thing, but anyone who has ever had any sort of local injection knows that it feels like much more than a ‘pin prick’, as the medical staff/literature will tell you. I’ve had lots of moles removed over the years, and my dermatologist is absolutely honest with me when he says (right before he gives that injection), “This will really sting, but just try to breathe through it.” And he’s right, it smarts like a bee sting, not a pin prick. He has also frozen some spots off without numbing me first because he always says that the numbing hurts worse than the freezing, and he’s often right. So I am always completely prepared whenever someone says, “You’re going to feel a little pin prick” for something (unless it’s just for a blood draw).</p>
<p>Sending lots of positive energy your way-All of you!</p>
<p>I’ve had two needle biopsies. The first time it was at a hospital’s breast care center and it took about 3 hours - most of which was counseling and handholding and telling me “everything was going to be okay.” I actually ended up being a bit annoyed at how long the process took. </p>
<p>The second time I went to see a surgeon. I thought I was just going for a consult, but he said, “You want to do it now?” I was happy to get it over with and this time, he just stuck the needle in, no anesthesia, no fuss, not even ultrasound guidance and I was done. I have to say, it did not hurt at all. He was, however, a very skilled surgeon. But it was great to have it over with in 10 mins. And, fortunately, both results were normal.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and best wishes. The biopsy went well today, the doctor and staff could not have been nicer and all in all, it really wasn’t that uncomfortable. I am a little sore, but mostly relieved to have it over with. There were two areas of concern, one was a mass, but the radiologist decided that area was normal after looking at more pictures. They did biopsy some micro calcifications and the results should be back in the next few days. I am grateful that such advanced technology exists, we do live in amazing times.</p>
<p>As difficult as it is to talk about our experiences, I can’t help but think that these stories will help many other women in the same situation. Also, I am reminded that I am very poor at reaching out to friends or family during a period of difficulty. I seem to be the one everyone calls with their problems or worries and while I like to be helpful or empathetic, I do not feel comfortable telling those around me that I am in some kind of need. Not sure why that is, I need to spend more time thinking that through. Why am I ok with posting on CC but not calling my family or friends with this problem? I know they would listen and offer great concern. I guess I just hate the thought of upsetting anyone.</p>
<p>Therapy time! Anyone else like me?</p>
<p>HeartArt – I’m glad it went well today and hopefully after the results come back all will be well. I completely understand your sharing with people on this board. I think it’s safe to assume that all if not most of the women on this board are somewhere in between 40something and 50something…definitely in the Mammogram years! Women in your target audience who understand the fear of an abnormal mammogram and most of us all know someone who has had breast cancer. </p>
<p>Also I think you noted that you are the lone female in your immediate family? Good to reach out to others. </p>
<p>I did think of you today and was sending my warmest virtual prayers and general best wishes your way!</p>
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</p>
<p>Here is safer. Anyone who would be really upset about hearing about your situation simply won’t reply to your posts. And you don’t have to feel that you’re imposing on anyone. We answer you by choice.</p>
<p>Glad the procedure went so well, and I hope you don’t have to wait long for those test results. The nicest part of medical issues is when they’re over!</p>
<p>teriwtt: Hope all went well on Wednesday and everything looked fine.</p>
<p>pathfinder: Will be thinking of you on Friday and sending prayers and best wishes</p>
<p>Thank you everyone!</p>
<p>HeartArt, glad you were treated compassionately today and that the procedure went well. Here’s hoping for good results!</p>
<p>HeartArt, so glad to hear that things went well today. I too thought of you. I am anxious to hear good results from your test as well. I definately will keep you in my prayers. I must put on a brave face tomorrow & get this checked out. Hopefully it’s going to be fine…thanks everyone.</p>
<p>HeartArt…hoping your results are good news. When I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer I had a very difficult time saying it outloud. I have no idea why. I did tell my kids and husband from the beginning as we have a deal to keep nothing health wise from one another. I find this is just best for all. No surprises and everyone has the same amount of time to come to grips with it. It’s important to have this support everystep of the way. I would hate for my daughter to go through this alone because she was afraid of worrying me. This was right for us but maybe not for everyone.</p>
<p>Hi –
Just wanted to add my voice to all of those who have had a scary mammogram, then an ultrasound then a needle biopsy, which all turned out to be nothing. Totally nerve-wracking, so I understand your feelings, but the odds and anecdotes are very much in your favor. Don’t borrow trouble. Remember, worrying is a thought process, not a feeling, so use your worry productively - like examining the unlikelihood you’ll have a problem. Hang in there – it will be fine.</p>
<p>justwonderful - I don’t know where you’ve been hiding, but welcome! Awesome words right there - “don’t borrow trouble”. That pretty much sums up my take on time spent on worry before it’s clear if there is anything to worry about. “Worry productively” - EXACTLY!</p>
<p>HeartArt, I am glad things “went well” today. I’m thinking your positive attitude probably played a large part. Continued good thoughts as you await the results. I had a preliminary read the next day on my most recent core biopsy. This was all done at a major cancer care center, so that probably removed most of the traditional reporting delays.</p>
<p>Therapy? I should have been there years ago.</p>
<p>Heck–we are the therapy. HeartArt–last thing you need to do is get down on yourself for having a natural inclination to keep this private for a while, forever, . . . We are who we are. Some want to be surrounded by friends and family through rough times; some want to climb in a hole and handle it on their own. Neither is good/bad, right/wrong.</p>
<p>And just to offer a look from another side, a friend shared this with me a few weeks ago. Certainly makes you think.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/health/31mamm.html?emc=eta1[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/health/31mamm.html?emc=eta1</a></p>
<p>Introduction of myths on mammograms from the book Malignant Medical Myths by Joel M. Kauffman:</p>
<p>Myth 9: Annual mammograms and follow-up treatment prolong life.</p>
<p>"Synopsis by Spacedoc
There is no doubt that in our country today the present climate regarding routine mammography is that both patients and physicians demand them or feel guilty if, for whatever reason, they are not riding the periodic mammogram bandwagon. Once mammography received FDA approval and support of both our American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute, the average primary care physician became a pawn for our burgeoning cancer industry under the assumption that our very best scientific minds had come up with the very best recommendations. Who were we to argue? The truth is that mass cancer screening with follow-up and treatment is big business. It is the old story — how much can we trust those who stand to gain economically from their own recommendations? Kauffman says look at the figures, and he has done a superb job of telling it like it is. Despite my 25 years of clinical practice as a family doctor with Board certification in both family practice and preventive medicine, I didn’t know these figures. Once you read them and look at his resources and documentation there can be no argument. Now my only question is how can one put the brakes on this rapidly rolling juggernaut? </p>
<pre><code> You may recall my aphorism from another chapter, “Figures don’t lie but liars figure”. Think about this when you read the following statement: “1 in 9 women will get breast cancer”. Innocent enough – right? In what way could this be a lie? The media says it repeatedly, the mammography industry quotes it almost daily and even medical articles refer to it as the lifetime risk for women. I cannot think of a better scare tactic to drive women into mammography screening centers.
The reality is that this simple statement is grossly misleading – not technically a lie but far, far removed from the truth. This is like questioning a child on his way to become a lawyer about the empty cookie jar. "Did you steal the cookies? The child says, "No", then afterwards explains, "I just borrowed them."
When we look at our national disease incidence rates we find that the chance of a woman under 50 years of age contracting breast cancer is under 2% and the chance of that same woman dying from it is 0.3%. And to look at it another way, of the women who do contract breast cancer, fully half will be over 65 years of age and will be very likely to die from another cause. We are talking the same 1 in 9 women here as mentioned earlier but looking at the figures from a different perspective, one far less inclined to drive women into mammography screening centers and much closer to reality.
Now let us examine figure 9.1, the true picture of Doctor Kauffman’s presentation, a must reading for every doctor and a sobering education. If 1,000 women of ages 40-50 had periodic mammograms what would be the impact, the true effect on public health, the real results? We know from years of observation and statistics that 8 of these women will actually have breast cancer. Seven of these positives will be found by mammography. The other will be missed. Of the 992 women who do not have breast cancer, 70 will be identified as falsely positive. Of our total of 77 "positives" discovered by our much touted, periodic mammography program, only 7 will be correct. Applying the legal term of "Res ipso loquitor", if one but just looks at the figures "the thing speaks for itself". This is the test now firmly entrenched in American society. It is truly mind-boggling to try to fathom how this has come about. Read on. Kauffman’s story is a true public service."
</code></pre>
<p>And if the positive test is yours, .3% is meaningless. To those women who are diagnosed, that knowledge is priceless.</p>
<p>CountingDown - thank you… I totally agree.</p>
<p>Also, I have to wonder if some of those biopsies that are deemed not benign, but not cancer yet, how many develop into cancer at a later date… meaning, if someone gets an ambiguous result, which causes them to follow it more closely, allowing medical staff to catch their eventual cancer earlier, isn’t it worth it?</p>