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Posted 2/28/2009 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I had my regular mammogram last Oct.  This past Sunday I felt a pea size hard lump on my right breast.  I went to my Dr. on Tuesday and of course she sent me for a mammogram .  I had that done on Wed. and they also preceded to do an ultra sound.  I received a letter today from the diagnostic place stating my results indicate further medical consulations and breast evaluation.  I will call my OBGYN first thing Monday morning to see what this all means but can anyone give me some moral support or insight at this point to finish the weekend.  I don't understand why they mail you these letters knowing you'll get them on Sat.  and not be able to reach anyone.  This has really freaked me out.  I'm 62 yrs. old and scared to death.  I don't want to over think this but you can help ... Your mind goes a million miles a hour.  I'm wondering if not cancer what else could this be and why further evaluation???? What does it all mean.  I would appreciate any and all help.

cdj

Posted 2/28/2009 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi CD...first of all, here's a big hug for you!
Second, here's a shotgun for the doctor's staff for just sending you a letter to say there is a concern, shame on them.

But...something like 80% of all breast lumps are benign, so odds are in your favor! Just because they want to see you again is not automatically a reason for concern. THey cannot be sure of what it is from just a mammo or u/s, so it is good that they want to check it out further. It is still frightening, we know....but try to remember that worrying won't change anything, so try to think of something else till you have more info. Hard task, we know....

And even if it is cancer, we'll help you! Survival rates are really great for early breast cancer...and while no one can say your specific situation, remember that statisitcs are just numbers and cannot predict your story. But it is not all bad....

Hang in there and let us know how we can help.
Lori
Posted 2/28/2009 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
thanks Lori. I am trying to be positive but it's hard. I will find out more Monday. Thank you again for your quick response. My husband of 41 yrs. is a good man but very bad in these situations. and thanks for the hug.
Posted 3/1/2009 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi cdj! Here's another hug. Try to keep busy. Maybe call friends or relatives and chat. Seems like health issues always happen on weekends. Let us know your results. Wishing you the best. Dee
Posted 3/1/2009 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome cdj! I think all of us have said before that it seems the waiting is the hardest part! I agree, it was pretty insensitive to just send you a letter. Please let us know how it all goes, we care!
Gail
Posted 3/1/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Ah those Saturday letters! They come from everywhere, not only doctors and they are so maddening!!!! AND sometimes letters are faster than phone calls if you don't use an answering machine. When I got my call back in 96, they did call on the phone, but they called the house and I was at work during the week, then I was out of town on a business trip for nearly a week, too. So by the time the letter reached me it had been nearly three weeks since my mammo. Oh well, it was cancer, but it was very early. I opted for a mastectomy, did not have any chemo or radiation and have been cancer free since. So don't worry until you know you have something to really worry about. We are here when you get some answers. A biopsy is best to find out all you need to know to make decisions if they need to be made. Take your time. I wish someone would have told me that. I was so frightened I hurried into the mastectomy decision and probably a lumpectomy would have been sufficient. We do care around here and will try to give you straight, thoughtful insight. Hugs MK
Posted 3/2/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have a question. They talked to me just briefly and said next step is a stereotactic biopsy. They are going to call me back. My question is do I go to where I had my initial testing which is a diagnostic imaging clinic or would you go to James Graham Brown Cancer center where they specialize in Breast issues and have them to the biopsy and let them take it from here. Even if it is nothing I still am wondering if since we are at the biopsy point I should go to a center that where this is their speciality. Also, I think I need to just breath and take this all in and maybe do this end of week or next week. You feel this need to panic and I don't think that is good either. Thanks for all the support.
Posted 3/3/2009 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Dr. called and said it is 6mm fatty nodule ?? I meet with a sugeon this Friday to have it removed. They said at that size they won't even do a biospy before hand. Just remove it and send it to pathology. She didn't seem at all concerned. She said it was there in 2007 and 2008 but much smaller and since it has grown her suggestion was just have it removed and gone! So, that is all I know now.
Posted 3/4/2009 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Soounds good!!! We like fatty tumors around here! It is best to have it removed to be absolutely sure, but I really think and hope and pray that you will be free and clear. Let us know when you are scheduled, etc. A biospy is very easy and will require little actual time at the hospital. You can go back to work or whatever the next day. Hugs MK
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