Confused and waiting for answers

Well I really don't think that appt went very well.  On a good note he did say that lump in my right breast was just fibrocystic changes and was fine.  Then he moved over and checked my left breast.  My dr wouldn't give any opinion at all as to what he thought is was or if he thought it was OK.  My doc graduated highschool with my husband so he usually speaks freely with me.  When I asked him if he felt that it could possibly be a small cluster of cyst instead of it being such an irregular shape he told me I needed to get the test done and speak with the surgeon.  I go for mammo and u/s tomorrow.  He also found another small lump located within the same area.  Its not very big but now that I know its there I can find it easily.  I decided to go to the Breast Center.  I really think that the drive will be well worth the benefits.  I don't know when I will go there.  Because they are out of our ins network I have to wait for them to approve it (although we have no breast centers in our network so it says that they have to pay at full coverage).  They are supposed to call Thursday.  I think that my doc went ahead and called the breast center.  Do I call them tomorrow after my test or do they call me?  Or will the radiologist tell me what was found or do I have to wait until my appt with the breast center?  I am so confused as to what will happen now.  I feel like I was given my papers and then just sent out to figure things out on my own.  I know what 80% of biopsies come back fine and I haven't even made it that far yet.  I guess I just really didn't expect that reaction.  I mean he told me the right side was fine.  Sorry to keep going on just that my husband is REALLY freaking out over this so I don't want to let him know that I'm scared.  Will they tell me tomorrow if I need a biopsy or do I wait to meet with the doc? 

I know how you feel. I am 35 and was diagnosed with cancer last Monday.  I talked to quiet a few people before I got any results and most of them have had a lump, all of them were benign tumors or cyst.  It's a very slim chance that you have cancer, but if you do, don't give up.  There have been alot of people in your situation, some have turned out good results and some have been bad, but you can't give up.  Good luck and I will be praying for you.

Candy

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. I had a lumpectomy and was told I needed 30 radiation treatments. I decided against the radiation(HOWEVER), I would never tell anyone else what to do. That's a decision we all have to make on our own. But let's think positive,and believe for a good outcome. My mom had BC 14 years ago and took 3 chemo treatments. She was suppose to take 6 but they made her so sick she told the dr. She wasn't taking anymore.She would be here until God decided to take her home.She is still here with us today. I will certainly be praying for you.I know how hard it is waiting.Please keep us posted.

Prayers and hugs

Pammy in Alabama

Thank you so much for all of the wonderful supportive replies.  When you say roller coaster you really mean it!! I had my first appt at the breast center on Sept 30.  The rad from hosp STILL had not read the second set of films on my right breast!?! So they sent me across the street to talk to the surgeon about the cysts in my left breast.  After talking with her (who I loved!!!) we decided to removed them on Nov 17.  She then sent me back to the breast center to have a u/s done of my right breast even thought she STILL didn't have the report.  He redid the left breast and found TONS of cysts.  He actually stopped measuring and just took pics of each one.  Then he did u/s of right breast.  He found more cysts.  As he would find each one he would point it out and show me how they could tell it "looked" benign.  Then he found a spot around the inner breast at the 12:30 position.  He started taking lots of pics and measuring and even switched the u/s ends to get different pics.  He said that it could be fibroadenoma but that he would not wait until Nov 17 to have it biopsied.  He called the surgeon to get her opinion and then set up a core biopsy for Mon Oct 6 (the earliest I could have it done due to work and travel time).  I am waiting on the results now.  He made a small incision and then took 5 different samples.  He also placed a small round "marker" inside the "mass" so that it could be easily found (do they always do this?)  I am still a bit sore but Tylenol is enough to knock it out.  I don't know the size as he never said and I can't ever tell by the u/s screen. It makes everything look big.  It was a greyer color than the cysts (which showed black).  It also seemed to have a really strange shape.  It would almost remind you of a clump of grapes.  I have an appt set up for Oct 15 with the surgeon.  I assume that if they find something they will move it closer.  Again thank you all for your replies and support.  It seems as if time is standing still right now.  I know that the percentages are on my side but every worse case scenario is running through my mind.  If this comes back positive.  What comes next?  Does it come out immediately or do we run other test?  If its neg do we still remove the cysts or would you just leave them alone?

Step One:  Needle localization.  This is done in the radiology department.  The tech will do a "scout" film mammogram of the area with the fibroadenoma.  This is just a one view mammogram using a paddel with a square opening and gridmarks.  The radiologist will use the gridmarks to figure out where to put the needle in.  The radiologist will use a needle with a wire inside and insert it directly through the area with the fibroadenoma.  They usually give you some lidocaine, but some don't because they say that the lidocaine hurts just as much as the needle itself.  The tech will take another picture with the breast compressed in the perpendicular direction.  The radiologist will probably have to adjust once or twice so that the needle tip is 1cm past the lesion.  Some needles are designed to be removed with only the wire left inplace.  Others with both the needle and wire in place.  They'll probably put a styrofoam cup over the contraption and send you off to the OR.  This whole thing will probably take 30 min to 1hr.  People generally don't like this procedure too much, not because of pain, but because you have to be compressed for a fairly long time 15 to 30 minutes.

Step Two:  Surgical excision.  This is done in the OR or short procedure room.  The anesthesiologist will come talk to you before the procedure.  They'll start an IV.  They'll take you into the procedure room and they'll give you some general conscious sedation to make you drowsy.  You won't be completely out, unless you just fall asleep.   The surgeon will prep you and give you more local anesthesia (lidocaine/marcaine etc.)  The surgeon will make an incision and use the guide wire/needle to find the fibroadenoma.  They may or not send the excised lump for a specimen radiograph.  This whole thing will probably take about 30 minutes to 45 min.  Most people tolerate this pretty well because they don't feel anything and bleeding is better controlled than with a needle biopsy.  The draw back is scarring and disfigurement of your breast, depending on how much breast tissue you're starting out with. 

Overall, this is a pretty simple procedure and people do very well with it.  You definitely need someone to drive you home since you will be groggy from the sedation.  I would also recommend brininging a supportive bra. 

Generally speaking, if your core needle biopsy was 100% benign, then this procedure would be completely your choice/optional.  Also, the cysts you're going to have removed, that is probably also your choice?  You really should weigh the pros and cons of having any or all of them removed, since it is probably optional.  I trust you have already weighed the pros and cons and made a good informed decision. 

Good luck to you.