<p>Ok, I’m alone now, no one is home for a few hours, whew! Time to decompress. Tomorrow is the BART analysis part that they don’t always do routinely with the BRAC analysis. So this further breakdown, and I don’t think insurance pays for, will give a clearer indication if genetics are involved. The BRAC is only part of it. I get counseling first to understand it, and I’ll take notes, because this could be important for all of us who have daughters, as I do, or sisters. The plastic surgeon was fine, after the half hour insurance battle…they don’t understand The Empire Plan of NY down here! Options now: mastectomy with reconstruction, check. Implant on the other side to match, maybe. She explained they won’t look the same if I don’t. Here’s a plus, she’s going to remove a rather large lipoma at the second surgery for me, since I’ll be under anesthesia anyway. That’s three months later. Am I giving too much info here? I don’t want to bore anybody. But maybe input from cc land will help me analyze decisions. My husband doesn’t even want me to get the reconstruction, let alone the other side! He’s afraid of masking future tumors. But this is my decision now.</p>
<p>threekids; your husband sounds sweet and supportive. I’m not sure if you are starting some reconstruction surgery immediately after the mastectomy or if you will be waiting 'til you’ve recovered more from the mastectomy before having reconstruction. No matter what others want from us, I think we know pretty quickly what our own preferences are. </p>
<p>I’m going to ask about BRCA tests for my daughters; although as far as I know, I’m the 1st person in my family to get breast cancer (hate that term/hate pink)! I definitely have some other risk factors; some of which I could have addressed, some I couldn’t. </p>
<p>Threekids; as supportive as my extended family has been; I’m getting a little fatigued with the phone calls and the probing questions. Soon I’m turning over responsiblity for communiques to my older daughter and the power of email. </p>
<p>As for my husband; he had a stress-related heart scare over the weekend. He’s ok but it took 24-hrs in our local hospital as a wake-up call to slow down and smell the roses. </p>
<p>Tig Notero; anyone heard her comedy routine about her own breast cancer? Thanks again to my older daughter!</p>
<p>And thanks again to all of you for your thoughts and suggestions.</p>
<p>Called back today 
Don’t know if the original images just aren’t clear or if something is suspicious, and I have to wait til mid-November - boo!!</p>
<p>Hanaviolet: Do not accept any of what is happening. First: They should tell you something about what they think they are seeing or not seeing. (But I will say that a lack of urgency is better). Call you doctor. Get him or her involved. Tell them what is being asked of you (waiting) AND has he or she seen the film and what is their opinion. If they haven’t seen the film…ask them to send them to the office for review. You should NOT be kept waiting like this.</p>
<p>A friend of mine “found” something. She called her doctor to be told that the doctor was too busy for several weeks. The next morning my friend went to the doctor’s office. She had breakfast and lunch with her and lots of magazines. The doctor saw her at the end of the day. She is fine. </p>
<p>No one should have to wait two plus weeks for a redo. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thank you ellebud; I have the day off tomorrow, and I will try to make some headway (even though it is super-frustrating trying to get through to my doc).</p>
<p>I truly hope that this is a nothing. I would call early in the day. There are many offices that close at noon on Wednesday. I look forward to hearing good news.</p>
<p>Well, it looks like I am part of this club. I had a mammogram on Thursday and they called today saying that the radiologist wants more pictures of my left breast. I have an appointment tomorrow at 9:30 am.</p>
<p>I’m trying not panic.</p>
<p>Hi EPTR; please don’t panic. The unknown can leave one imagining the worst. Just go through this step by step. Hopefully you won’t be part of the smaller bc club, just the scare of the call-back group. hugs</p>
<p>Thanks, jg0339.</p>
<p>How are things going with you? You haven’t checked in lately.</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I had my lumpectomy yesterday; outpatient surgery but it makes for a very long day. I have almost zero pain; tylenol, ice pack & sports bra. It’s good to be home.</p>
<p>I was called back a few years ago and was very anxious, but the follow-up was fine and I’ve not been called back since.</p>
<p>Jg0339,
It must be a relief to have the surgery over with. I’m glad there was little pain for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your recovery.</p>
<p>Eptr,
Have you gotten new results? </p>
<p>I go to a center where they keep you until settled. I have sat for hours, being called back 3 times. I never schedule my own patients, as the process can go on for hours. Awful day</p>
<p>EPTR- was everything clear on the call back?</p>
<p>Good luck and hugs.</p>
<p>Thought I’d update. BRAC and BART negative! At least I don’t have to have my kids tested, and I don’t have to think about the risk of other cancers right now. Still stage I, grade II. I do know that can change at surgery, but I’ve decided not to think about that, yet. Mastectomy scheduled for the 29th. So many appointments. MRSA test yesterday, required by the plastic surgeon. I have learned so much over the last month. There is a lot to this breast cancer stuff. Odd to think that right now I feel great, but I have cancer. In two weeks I won’t feel so great, but I won’t have cancer! Or a breast. But I’m not all that nervous about it. Monday is the plastic surgery pre-op with pictures for her album, before and after. Then nothing til the radiology appointment, pre-op for surgery, and then surgery. I get to relax and enjoy my kids, who come in tomorrow, for Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. And as always, I have so much for which I am thankful. Anyone reading this who is delaying their mammogram, please don’t. And if possible, get the tomosynthesis (3D) mammogram. Mine might not have been found this early without it.</p>
<p>…oh, I didn’t talk about why the BART is so important. If positive, then my kids, including my sons, would have been tested. For me it might have meant bilateral mastectomies and hysterectomy/oophorectomy (ovaries). But my children, if positive, would have a far greater chance of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and melanoma. I mean greatly increased chances. That was my greater fear, for my kids. So if you are eligible for the BRAC, if you can insist on the BART at the same time, even if you have to pay some of it, it’s really worth it. I haven’t received a bill, and they call before they give the results to be sure you’ll pay if it isn’t covered. I never got a call so I’m assuming my insurance covered it. I’m only giving the really important information from the counseling session here, but there was a lot of information. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thank you, all for your worry on my behalf. I had the repeat mammogram on Tuesday and it was fine. Apparently a very common “overlap of tissue” or something.
I was comforted to read, the night before the follow up, that only about seven percent of women get a call back and of those, only about 20 % get recommended for a biopsy. Of those women, less than half have a cancer. So I figured my chances of having breast cancer at about 5%.</p>
<p>I was guilty of delaying my annual mammogram this time around. I got the card in the mail at a very busy time, ignored it and then forgot. By the time I scheduled it and waited for the appt. I was 22 months late. I got lucky this time but I won’t ever do that again. Ever.</p>
<p>Threekids,
I’m so glad about your Brac and Bart results! Sending you warm wished for a Thanksgiving full of love and comfort with your family.</p>
<p>Thanks for the warm wishes. EPTR. I’m happy for you. Now you can enjoy your Thanksgiving, too!</p>
<p>Reactivating this thread. Has anyone been called back because of microcalcifications on a mammogram? Am scared $$$$-less. I do not need any more health issues.</p>