Oh Wise DIS Women .. Another Medical Question

[Daxx]

Hi All!

NH Ann -- thanks for filling everyone in on me. Yes, my calcifications were benign and I've recovered from the biopsy.

For those facing a stereotactic biopsy, it wasn't nearly as bad as I imagined or expected. My calcifications were close to my n!pple, so it pinched more than when they took it from the middle of my breast. The "longest" part of the procedure was actually getting my breast into the mammogram clamp thingy and finding the calcifications. They kept positioning me and repositioning me. Then, they took a sample, but didn't get exactly what they wanted, so they went in closer to my n!pple and took a sample from there. So, I went through it twice. They said I was a great patient. I have a "tag" in my breast now ... they said it's microscopic but shows up on a mamm. I got to see it when they took the mamm after they placed it.

My breast hurt for that day and the next few (prob. b/c of where they took the samples from) but I healed quickly. I felt stupid walking around the house w/a bag of frozen peas in my bra, but it was the only thing that really worked well for me! When I got my period after my biopsy, my breast felt really hard, swelled a bit compared to my other breast and it hurt -- I suppose that's b/c it wasn't fully healed when I got my period. But, that all went back to normal after my period was over.

The only "difficulty" I had was reaching for things the first couple of days b/c of the muscles pulling in that area.

In all honesty, of all the med. procedures I've undergone, this was a piece of cake in comparison. The day after I had my biopsy, I had an appendectomy. I would've rather had 3 more biopsies over that appendectomy!

There is nothing to fear, pain-wise. Your breast will be numbed and you will only feel slight pressure and maybe a pinch. But, nothing that will take your breath away or make you want to scream bloody murder.

I will go back in March for my 6-month watch. I am hoping all will go well. I know that I've been pro-active in my health w/regard to this ... so I know that anything caught from here-on in will have been caught in the early stages.

To anyone hesitating on a sterotactic biopsy or any other kind of biopsy -- do not put this off. Do it. Do it for your DH, your kids, your parents, your friends, etc. Do not put your health at risk. My radiologist told me "More than likely 1% chance of cancer" and offered me the option of a mamm. in 6 months or biopsy. Well, 1% chance of cancer is still 1%... I'd rather have 0% so that's why I had the biopsy. I could have waited 6 months, but was afraid that my 1% chance might have been upped to a higher % chance. Did not want to risk that. Plus, I would've been a basket case waiting 6 months. I had to know immediately ... and was lucky to get a fast appt.! Safe than sorry, I suppose. If my radiologist said I had to have a biopsy every 6 months to be safe, then that's what I'd be doing.

God bless all of you and best of luck!

Warmly,
Susan (aka Daxx's Wife)

 

[HeatherH]

Susan, if I could have had a stereo I would have done it too, but because of the location of my calcifications and for other reasons, the doctor said a stereo would not work, so my only option is surgical biopsy. If I could have done a stereo at the time I would have done it too, just like you, to get that 1% chance checked out. I would ABSOLUTELY encourage anyone else to do the same, as you have.

But, facing a more radical procedure, and after long discussions with the breast doctor, her recommendation was to wait. And that was the same decision reached after my discussions with second opinion doctors.

I guess my only point in posting this is that every woman has to make that decision on her own. I would NEVER discourage anyone from getting an immediate biopsy, I would have done the same if I could have the stereo. I just wasn't ready, at that time, to have a more invasive diagnostic procedure, and after weighing all the options and the advice of the experts, decided to wait the six months, as they suggested.

Again, I would NEVER discourage anyone from getting an immediate biopsy, especially those with palpable lumps or anyting greater than a BIRAD-III mammogram.

Sorry for the rambling. I know it's a personal decision for everyone, but just wanted to share mine for those who decided to wait for the six-month re-check.

I really appreciate hearing how your recovery after biopsy was, I have to mentally prepare myself for that in January, because I know I will do the biopsy then.

 

[Daxx]

Oh, please don't think I'm telling you that you're wrong to wait, etc. I just happened to come along this thread, seeing it was mine and reading NHAnn's response made me write. My post was meant to be a general "If you're afraid, don't let fear take over" type post and not directed to anyone in particular. A generic "if you're holding off b/c you're afraid" type thing. I posted b/c I had a friend, Mickie, who found a small lump and did absolutely nothing about it for 3 years. She was told to get a mamm., but since no other family member had breast cancer, she figured she'd be fine. She ended up dying b/c it spread from her breast to her bones, lungs, etc. Had she gone for that mamm. when she first discovered it, she might be alive today. But, she was afraid and did nothing. My post is to be more of a "heads up" on those who might think it's so painful, etc. and might be blowing it off. But, no pain, no gain, right!?

I do realize that people do what they have to do based on Dr. discussions and that's fine. But, if Dr. finds something, don't just sit on it ... listen to their advice, seek out the advice of other MD's and do the research. Just don't walk away and say "oh, what do they know, it'll never happen to me" b/c cancer doesn't work that way.

I am thrilled that you are being pro-active and going through w/some type of further pursuit in 6 months. Better than doing nothing at all!!!

I completely understand where you're coming from and your reason for waiting and I completely respect that!!!! As I said, I'm glad that you're not "letting it go".

I just don't want any woman on these boards to end up like my friend. And, b/c I am a nervous Nellie, I had to know. I mean, I was so bad that I wished I could have gone in that same day and not wait even an extra second!!!!

I wish you the best of luck. I respect your decision and that you sought out quality advice before making the decision. Please don't think my post is to say that anyone who waits is wrong for waiting ... people have the option -- I knew that I couldn't make it for more than a week w/o knowing. I only wish you could have had the stereo b/c it'd be easier for you all the way around!

Best of luck to you and I'll keep you in my prayers!

Warmly,
Susan

 

[HeatherH]

Susan, I DO appreciate that, very much. And I completely understand what you are saying, especially with your friend Mickie's experience, that is horrible. I would feel exactly the way you did, in your circumstance.

Thank you for the good wishes, I feel good that I will have the negative result you had, and if not, am prepared to deal with it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Tears for Mickey, Susan.

 

[rockin_rep]

Susan, if I could have had a stereo I would have done it too, but because of the location of my calcifications and for other reasons, the doctor said a stereo would not work, so my only option is surgical biopsy. If I could have done a stereo at the time I would have done it too, just like you, to get that 1% chance checked out. I would ABSOLUTELY encourage anyone else to do the same, as you have.

But, facing a more radical procedure, and after long discussions with the breast doctor, her recommendation was to wait. And that was the same decision reached after my discussions with second opinion doctors.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful, heartfelt replys.

Heather, thats been the consensus of all the doctors involved here, also. Another reason, the increased scar tissue created by these procedures, can often skew subsequent mammos. Please keep us updated. (((HUGS)))

Susan, i'm so happy you did well with your procedure and that the results were great! I'm a little confused though - i thought they weren't looking at the *calcifications* per se, but at the area surrounding them....?

Also, i'm very sorry to hear about your friend Mickey. It is indeed a terrible shame, and hopefully your posts will help others make better decisions. Hugs to you!

 

[NHAnn]

Heather will go back in January for the follow-up mammogram, and yes, I'm prepared for the biopsy at that point. I'm still not overly concerned. I do know that if I'm one of the 1%, the most likely cancer is DCIS, and that is highly treatable and very slow growing.

Glad to hear your update Heather....


Well said Heather and Susan
The most important thing is for each woman to be able get all the info and support and guidance she needs to make her personal decision and be confortable with it!