Scared
Hello All: I've been very active on the colorectal board in the past years but lately have fallen off due to wanting to get off the boards because my life was "to live past all that" because I've been doing well "being free of cancer."
Last year my implants were removed due to they were hurting me and they had been in there for over 20 years which is way too long. Before implant removal my mammogram was normal, but this year was the first without the implants and it showed some calcification in an area that my implants could have hidden. My mammogram was on Wednesday and they called me back yesterday to have another look today.
The doctor explained to me that the calcification area could have been there all along and they weren't able to see it because it has been so long that the implants have been in so they gave me a "suggestion" not a "recommendation" that either a mammogram could be done every six months for 2 years or a biopsy just to get the results. They are very tiny and they showed me the mammogram and I'd never have seen it but they did and that's their job.
I've had cancer once and I'd never be able to wait six months for another mammogram to just "wait and see." I've opted for a biopsy on Tuesday. My question to you all fellow survivors is how common is this calcification and how often do they want to do a biopsy? My situation is different because of my implants possibly hiding this so I'm asking for your very honest opinion. That's why I've opted for this just get it over with.
I'm so scared though. I've been through it once and hate to go through it again. My mom died of breast cancer, brother just died 2 years ago of cancer and I'm just plain scared.
Thank you for reading my novel and responding to my post.
Hugs! Kim
Comments
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Hello Kim!! I cannot relate to your current situation..but I know the UNKNOWN makes you scared!! I feel the way you do get the biopsy that way you will know whats going on for sure! I just had left breast mastectomy about month 1/2 ago. also have breast expander, and my cancer did not show up on the mamo (invasive lobular carcinoma) but I knew something did not feel right or look right on the breast so I told my Dr I wanted additional test done! that is when they found it. otherwise i would have waited another 6 months/year ..we know our body...best wishes and prayers to you!!! YOU WILL BE FINE...BEEPOSITIVE
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Beepositive
Thank you for response and your story. I'm sorry that you've gone through all that but pray that you will be cancer free in the future. I'm just not sure what to expect from what they saw. I'm glad you were proactive because if you aren't they surely won't be. Keep up the great attitude. I'm struggling with that right now. May your recent surgery be a successful one.
Kim
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Get the biopsy
Hi Kim,
The fact that you have microcalcifications in your breast doesn't necessarily mean you have BC. I've had lots of them. It's only when they form a certain pattern that the Radiologist gets concerned. Usually if there's a question about the calcifications, the patient is sent for an Ultrasound to look at the area more closely.
For me, I went faithfully for my yearly mammograms. I also had microcalcifications in my left breast. I was sent for an MRI one year to look at that area in more depth and it was decided that there was no problem. 4 years later, the pattern of the calcifications changed and it was recommended that I have a breast biopsy. Yes, it showed a teeny area of Lobular BC. I had a lumpectomy followed by radiation, then was put on the anti-hormone drug Arimidex. For 1 1/2 years no blood tests or scans were done on me as my BC was considered to be early Stage.
Well, this tiny BC had mestastisized. It probably had done so even before my lumpectomy. Lobular BC is very sneaky!
So I'm being treated now for mets to my bones. My new Oncologist is watching me very carefully, not like my former one did.
My recommendation for you is to get the biopsy. You'll be put at ease. I believe that calcifications can be scraped out now by a surgeon so that you don't have to worry about them in the future. I'm sure you'll be watched carefully from now on too. I take it that you won't have new implants put in?
You made the right decision about the biopsy. It's a bit uncomfortable, but doable. I had mine done while being in a sling getting over rotator cuff surgery! It takes a good number of days for the lab results to come back. That's nerve-wracking too!
Good luck with the procedure. Let us know how you make out. You're wise. Better to know where you stand now than waiting months for another mammogram. And sometimes those don't even show the whole picture, especially if you have dense breasts!
Stay positive. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. Kats2
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KatsKats2 said:Get the biopsy
Hi Kim,
The fact that you have microcalcifications in your breast doesn't necessarily mean you have BC. I've had lots of them. It's only when they form a certain pattern that the Radiologist gets concerned. Usually if there's a question about the calcifications, the patient is sent for an Ultrasound to look at the area more closely.
For me, I went faithfully for my yearly mammograms. I also had microcalcifications in my left breast. I was sent for an MRI one year to look at that area in more depth and it was decided that there was no problem. 4 years later, the pattern of the calcifications changed and it was recommended that I have a breast biopsy. Yes, it showed a teeny area of Lobular BC. I had a lumpectomy followed by radiation, then was put on the anti-hormone drug Arimidex. For 1 1/2 years no blood tests or scans were done on me as my BC was considered to be early Stage.
Well, this tiny BC had mestastisized. It probably had done so even before my lumpectomy. Lobular BC is very sneaky!
So I'm being treated now for mets to my bones. My new Oncologist is watching me very carefully, not like my former one did.
My recommendation for you is to get the biopsy. You'll be put at ease. I believe that calcifications can be scraped out now by a surgeon so that you don't have to worry about them in the future. I'm sure you'll be watched carefully from now on too. I take it that you won't have new implants put in?
You made the right decision about the biopsy. It's a bit uncomfortable, but doable. I had mine done while being in a sling getting over rotator cuff surgery! It takes a good number of days for the lab results to come back. That's nerve-wracking too!
Good luck with the procedure. Let us know how you make out. You're wise. Better to know where you stand now than waiting months for another mammogram. And sometimes those don't even show the whole picture, especially if you have dense breasts!
Stay positive. I'll be keeping you in my prayers. Kats2
Thank you for your response. They said that it is a small tiny cluster (I'm thinking 3) of them but when they showed me on the mammogram it wasn't visible to me. The doctor didn't seem to be overly concerned and I'm at a very good hospital but I'm not one to take risks. I'm sorry that you weren't monitored closely after and now you are going through a situation that you probably shouldn't be going through. I'm wishing you the best outcome and appreciate your story. I'll keep you informed.
Kim
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Hi Kim
I'm saying the biopsy is necessary. Mine began as a small calcification, and they watched it. I asked and asked why it wasn't removed because I had pain in that area. I was told that cancer doesn't hurt...ha! I ended with a bilateral. Please keep us posted. Thinking of you, Linda
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Tomorrow's biopsy
Hi Kim,
I'm wishing you good results with tomorrow's biopsy. From what you've written about the few calcifications that are there, I have a feeling that they'll ALL be removed from your breast. That's great. Be sure to let us know how you make out with everything. I'll be keeping you in my prayers that all will go well! Kats2
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Lintxlintx said:Hi Kim
I'm saying the biopsy is necessary. Mine began as a small calcification, and they watched it. I asked and asked why it wasn't removed because I had pain in that area. I was told that cancer doesn't hurt...ha! I ended with a bilateral. Please keep us posted. Thinking of you, Linda
Gezz I'm typing this in 14 pt but it comes out so small. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm already set on not watching it as I'm not a real patient person and that wouldn't work. I'm not afraid of the biopsy, I'm just afraid of the results. I'm going to ask them to remove all the spots there in that one area. If they are in there they might as well. Thank you for your post.
Kim
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ThanksKats2 said:Tomorrow's biopsy
Hi Kim,
I'm wishing you good results with tomorrow's biopsy. From what you've written about the few calcifications that are there, I have a feeling that they'll ALL be removed from your breast. That's great. Be sure to let us know how you make out with everything. I'll be keeping you in my prayers that all will go well! Kats2
Thank you for your prayers - it means a lot. I'm definitely scared and when I'm like that it's almost sure I'll cry. I'm just such an emotional basket case right now, especially having already been through cancer. I'll keep you informed. Thanks again for your post and thoughts (prayers included).
Kim
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Aww Thank youApaugh said:prayers going up for you
Kim, take a deep breath, say a prayer and hang on. Your not alone. What ever the outcome, we are here for you to listen.
Hug,
Annie
I'll come back tomorrow night just to let everyone know how the biopsy went and how my stamina held up - probably not well, but I'll try real hard. Been saying prayers for weeks. I'm a big prayer person and this just seems to take my breath away. Glad to know I've met some wonderful people on this board already. Thanks to all of you for your help.
Kim
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PRAYER GOING UP FOR YOU!!
hello Kim. Im sending prayers up for you..YOU WILL BE FINE!!! KEEP THE FAITH!!
BEEPOSITIVE!!
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Cancer causing painlintx said:Hi Kim
I'm saying the biopsy is necessary. Mine began as a small calcification, and they watched it. I asked and asked why it wasn't removed because I had pain in that area. I was told that cancer doesn't hurt...ha! I ended with a bilateral. Please keep us posted. Thinking of you, Linda
Hi Linda, I just read your post. I was told by the same thing by the doctor. I told her that my breast has been hurting and she said, "cancer doesn't cause pain". Well, guess what it is cancer and I do and did have pain, which was a warning sign my body was sending out. So, this is my third cancer and in all 3 I had pain as a warning(that was not listened to by several doctors). Someone must have taught them in medical school that cancer doesn't hurt. That just isn't true.
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Didn't do itKats2 said:What were results of biopsy?
Hi Kim,
What were the results of your biopsy of the microcalcifications? Your last post was April 25. Keep us posted. We care. Kats2
I've made another post about this but because of the position of the spots they said it was too close to the breast bone and wouldn't be able to do it that way. They now just want to wait for 6 months and have another mammogram. I've followed up with a breast surgeon since then and he said he wasn't worried and that he doesn't recommend a biopsy at this time. He feels that it is due to trauma caused by having the implants removed and the surgery that was performed. I'm just going to wait until October and then have another mammogram. He did say that he would do the biopsy surgery if I'm not comfortable waiting, but he doesn't feel that it is necessary. Thank you for your concern. It was nice of you to follow up. I'm thinking my other post has a little more detail on it and thanks again.
Kim
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Kim,
Good luck. I am waiting too for a new US that will be done on Sept. I have a new cyst and an intramammary lymph node in my left breast. The CT without contrast on my right side shows nothing. Anyway, both BS and me are watching closely any change. The watchfulness causes me exhaustion.
My pathology report on the cancer tumor showed no calcification. But I agree that having calcification does not mean cancer and viceversa.
My prayers to you. Do you crochet or knit? They are useful to relieve anxiety. I do crochet and knit when my levels are high. Hoping you get better and that you get a negative result.
Maria
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Thanks for replyMariangel43 said:Kim,
Good luck. I am waiting too for a new US that will be done on Sept. I have a new cyst and an intramammary lymph node in my left breast. The CT without contrast on my right side shows nothing. Anyway, both BS and me are watching closely any change. The watchfulness causes me exhaustion.
My pathology report on the cancer tumor showed no calcification. But I agree that having calcification does not mean cancer and viceversa.
My prayers to you. Do you crochet or knit? They are useful to relieve anxiety. I do crochet and knit when my levels are high. Hoping you get better and that you get a negative result.
Maria
Don't you just wish that you don't have to wait. Your's is in September and it's like why can't they just figure this out now. I'm having panic attacks and I'm going to have a colonoscopy next month (originally diagnosed with colorectal cancer) so this is a big anxiety for me and I'm not able to get it done earlier because insurance won't pay for it, plus I'm waiting for the mammogram in October. After my colonoscopy I'm thinking of just having the biopsy. I'm not sure I'll be able to handle the stress I'm feeling until October.
I'm so sorry you are going through what you are. It sounds like you are very proactive on your situation and tests so that is great. I'm praying the best for all of you on this board.
Nope I'm not a knitter. Glad you found an outlet for your anxiety. Thank you for your post.
Kim
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