<p>I have no short term memory, so I admit that I don’t remember details of the struggles that some of CC have fought with their bodies and the medical system- so I thought I should start a new thread just for things to remember to ask.</p>
<p>I have always been fairly healthy- while I have some friends who have had more issues & while I have tried to be really supportive of them- I always thought " dodged * that * bullet".</p>
<p>Anyway- not that I think anything is the matter- but I had a mammogram last week ( I have been getting them for about 7 years) and I have to go back in for more tests- ( ultrasound and stuff)</p>
<p>I have only been going to an allopathic dr for about 7 years, and she always seems really rushed, although I like her- but I don’t ask many questions.
For those of you who have been through this, is there anything I should ask, or think about? I do realize that these tests are supposed to be very sensitive and that the initial test is just a screening so that the chance of missing someone who may have abnormal cells is lowered. But that it would be too invasive and expensive to give everyone the more selective tests every time. I have had to have more screenings a few years ago,( the last time I had a mammogram) but I guess I jsut have dense tissue. So should I maybe ask if I should just have the more selective test in the first place to save time?</p>
<p>Its’ kinda weird that this came up, because one of my Ds teachers, that we know well, just told us that his wife has just been told that her breast cancer is back for the third time and apparently for her , the third time is the worst.
Also registration opened for the Susan Komen foundation 5K. [Puget</a> Sound Susan G. Komen for the Cure](<a href=“http://pskomen.org/]Puget”>http://pskomen.org/)
I don’t really do pink, but I thought I would put together a team of parents and hopefully some of Ds classmates to support her teacher.</p>
<p>I also wanted to add that it is very inspiring to hear from people dealing with illness and I am glad that there is a place to share things, because I know it gets a little too much for families sometimes.
I hope the kids who happen to read this know that it is OK to be kids and they don’t have to protect their parents from their feelings , both when the kids are the ones that are ill and when it is the adults who are.</p>
<p>That is also Ds spring break. She is taking lifeguard training all day, all week. Im not going to say anything to her- I am sure it isn’t a big deal and she is too anxious as it is. But her training starts at 9am, and my appt is 9:45, so at least having two things scheduled then will make sure that I am up on time.</p>
<p>emeraldkity-
I was diagnosed with bc last November and had surgery in January. I remember when I was told that I’d have to go back for an ultrasound. It’s scary. I sense that you are worried. </p>
<p>As you know, the vast majority of cases where an ultrasound is required, the test comes up negative. Most biopsies are negative, as well. Chances are that this is just the radiologist following up thoroughly, and for that I’m sure you’re grateful.</p>
<p>When the radiologist who did my biopsy saw my tumor on the monitor, she told me then and there that it looked like cancer to her. But the very next thing out of her mouth was, “But don’t worry, you will be fine.” I have to say that her words have been my mantra ever since, and have kept my on an even emotional keel, as well as provided my family with assurance when they were scared. It’s true, though. Even if a cancer is found, the treatments available today for breast cancer are amazing. It truly is no longer a death sentence for those who catch it early, as would be the case for you, and as was the case for me. </p>
<p>Feel free to pm me if you want to talk about specific tests procedures that you may be facing. I went two years between mammograms, and was surprised that they found this tumor. But it’s out, I’m officially cancer free, and living my life. </p>
<pre><code>Just remember that no decisions need be made on the spot, so you have plenty of time to ask questions and read up on whatever they find. Also, you have time to get second opinions and find good doctors. Breast cancer is one of the slowest growing cancers with excellent survival rates, so there is no need to rush or panic.
But…chances are good that what they see is benign.
</code></pre>
<p>One thing I will suggest, is that if they find a lump, and they aren’t sure if it’s anything and they want to 'wait and watch it", insist on a biopsy. That’s the only way to know for sure.
Best wishes and {{{hugs}}} to you!</p>
<p>EK, many hugs for you. I cannot predict what the outcome of your tests will be, but the advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer even over just the last 5 years are breathtaking. This is a time to listen carefully to the doctors’ advice, be strong and do not fear - fear is the big enemy.
Mammography is making great strides in resolution and sensitivity - one of the side effects of the improvement in the sensitivity is that they are finding smaller and smaller worrisome lesions, which means more biopsies. More biopsies save more lives… but it also means more women with negative biopsies. Ultrasounds can sometimes delineate characteristics of lesions that make them appear less worrisome and not necessary to biopsy.
Also, the biopsies are much less invasive now.
ASAP’s radiologist was not just talking - breast cancer is beginning to go down the path of childhood leukemia and Hodgkins’ disease, it is becoming a highly treatable disease with many options. A disease where we are beginning to be able to identify patients earlier and earlier who need more aggressive treatment to remain healthy and others who can get by with less aggressive therapy. A disease where it is of great importance to get screened regularly, do your self exams, etc.</p>
<p>Best wishes to you - keep us posted in April.</p>
<p>oh thanks for the good wishes.
I am not really worried but I wish my H would go get checked- he hasn’t been for several years and I hate to think what is buried in there.</p>
<p>I am sure I will be relieved though when it is over.
But it isn’t as bad as when I took my oldest to have her blood tested when she was about 6 ( she had, had multiple transfusions as a baby in 1982 before they tested the blood supply)</p>
<p>I didn’t think I was worried at the time, after all, if she had been exposed to HIV as a premature infant, it was likely there would have been an indication before she was 6. But when I called to get the results and was told that she was negative, I just cried and cried with relief. :o</p>
<p>The embarrased face is because it was before I had a cell phone and I was using the payphone in the Nordstroms cosmetics dept.
They don’t like you to be all smeary.</p>
<p>I have had abnormal mammograms three times. Every time, the follow-up tests showed nothing of importance.</p>
<p>It’s actually quite a common experience to have something show up on a mammogram that leads to further testing. Fortunately, the ultrasound they will probably do is painless (and you don’t have to drink all that water like you did when you were pregnant!), and most biopsies today are no big deal, either.</p>
<p>After all this rigamarole is over, and the results come back OK, which they probably will, try to get your future mammograms done at the same place that did this one. If the radiologists can look at your new films and compare them to the old ones, they can usually discount anything that was already there because it has already been investigated. This will save you future hassles. </p>
<p>The same cyst that showed up in one of my breasts five years ago is still there. I didn’t bother to have it removed. But since the people at the radiology place know it’s there and know what it looks like, I won’t have to have any more follow-up tests because of it unless it changes in some way.</p>
<p>EK, I do have dense tissue, so my ob/gyn who writes the annual prescription I need to use to have my mammo done, just writes it for the mammo and ultrasound at the same time. I have one test done following the other. This was initially the radiologist’s suggestion. Best wishes.</p>
<p>I am sure going to mention that when I go back- cause I have been going to the same place for my mammograms, although I don’t know if they remember to add any notes.
Its all the same clinic which is nice cause everyones chart can be accessed by whatever specialist you are seeing in the building- and I rarely have had to wait very long for anyone, which I appreciate, although I do miss reading magazines that I never buy.</p>
<p>( why do they only have magazines that are 30 years old actually in the examining room where I do have to wait?)</p>
<p>I am grateful for you that they are requiring that you come in for more tests. Thank you to the doctors who are on the ball! I had an experience a couple of years ago in which I had to insist on additional testing for my peace of mind–no, I am not a hypochondriac, but Doctor dismissed the issue even tho my own mother had been diagnosed and treated for cancer just a few years prior. Kudos to your physicians and our thoughts and prayers are with you.</p>
<p>EK I just went through this, and had a week of lag time between the phone calls and the follow up mammogram and ultrasound. I don’t believe in worrying, so was just a little nagging at the back of my mind that I really shouldn’t plan much of anything till this was figured out. But when I sat in the office post ultrasound, waiting for the oracle to be consulted regarding my scans, visions of LTS, and how she really didn’t want to be in this place either, were running though my mind, and it did get rather nerve wracking. Was a great relief to hear the words ‘nothing to worry about’ In my case, it was compressed tissue, shadowing on the Xray, no lump to be found. I felt the rest of my life had been handed back on a golden platter, and it looked quite precious, at least for the rest of the day!</p>
<p>Chances are, your results will be similar, and ‘of no concern’ But a bit of a rough wait, yes?</p>
<p>A.S.A.P. SO glad your story had a relatively quick resolution, though was probably not an easy time. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>emeraldkity4,
I can totally relate to what you’re going through. I have had a similar scenario several times, and I know that for the first time that it happened, I ended up having to get an MRI, and the result of that test showed that there was an artifact, and there wasn’t any need to have any further testing done at that time. If possible, I would request the MRI, because it’s a non-invasive procedure - I basically saved myself from having to get a biopsy - because the MRI showed that there wasn’t actually anything there. Since that occurred, along with a couple of other call-backs, I now insist that I get the diagnostic mammogram instead of the screening one, because the chance of my getting a call-back is fairly high, anyway. It might be worthwhile to insist that you get the diagnostic mammo to begin with, instead of having to go through the call-back.</p>
<p>Looks like we all have had somewhat similar experiences. The suggestion to request an MRI is a good one. Just right after my mammography hassle, I read an article where it said that MRIs were more accurate in detecting abnormalites than regular mammograms.</p>
<p>I’m knocking on wood that your “stuff” would be benign.</p>
<p>Emerald-two timer here. The mammos showed something requiring further ultrasounds and more mammos. </p>
<p>Outcome-cysts which according to the radiologist come and go.</p>
<p>FYI- the ultrasound tech spent many, many minutes searching and then left the room. The Radiologist then came in, took the wand and spent several minutes doing her own scan.<br>
Some SCARY moments… i</p>
<p>f this happens to you know that it does not necessarily mean the worst.</p>
<p>Keep distracted Emerald- waiting is no fun.</p>
<p>Emeraldkity4, everything is going to be o.k., but, a couple of things you can do to reduce stress - I always take with me some incomprehensible technical work that I have to get through - it puts my brain to work on the left side and keeps me rational. I also always take a professional friend with me - we talk about work stuff, not personal stuff. It helps. </p>
<p>Second, your doctor can request a “wet read” and get the results asap, while you’re still there. My new oncologist does this and so I know the score instantly, no waiting days for results.</p>
<p>EK: I have nothing to add to what everyone else has said – I’ve never had a suspicious mammo – BUT:</p>
<p>Your story of crying and crying in Nordstrum’s cosmetics department is one that will stay with me for a long long time. I can only imagine the huge relief you felt at the good news. So I’m crying and laughing at the image of you way back in the '80s sobbing in Nordstrum’s . . .</p>
<p>Just remember, ‘wet reads’ are subject to clarification when the formal report is finalized. Sometimes normal becomes irregular; sometimes irregular turns out to be just artifact.</p>
<p>Advice on questions to ask:
“May I have a copy of the radiologist report?” (ask for a copy of everything)
You can look up what the report says online (or ask the folks here at CC) which will either reassure you that it is probably nothing, or scare the beejeezus out of you. </p>
<p>I was also diagnosed with BC in November, and I didn’t hear a lot of what the doctor said during THAT discussion. When I got home and was going over the histology report from the biopsy, I realized that it was actually good news, grade one, slow growing, very, very small, etc. I was very happy to have the report to refer to.</p>
<p>Also, the above posters are right, diagnosis procedures and breast cancer treatment has improved dramatically since I last traveled the biopsy road, 13 years ago. I especially liked cangel’s post, fear is indeed the big enemy here.</p>
<p>I was diagnosed Valentine’s Day a year ago. Just had my annual exams and given an all clear. Best thing you can ever do is get those check-ups and tests. Mine was caught early and I take my pill every day and do a little happy dance. I have learned so much being on the inside of a BC diagnosis. I conclude as well: fear is the enemy.</p>
