Surgeon's appointment today

Annabelle41415
Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

 

He read the mammogram and other pictures from the failed attempt at the previous biopsy and then came into the room and said "are you nervous."  Of course I said, "yes, very much."  He answered, "well I'm not."  Although they do see something on the mammogram he thinks right now it is due to the trauma from the surgery last year.  He talked in story form so everything he explained to me had some type of meaning and story behind it - I was very impressed. He rated me at the range is about 2% to 7% chance of cancer (according to some rating chart they have).  He doesn't feel that I need to have the biopsy either at this time.  He said that looking at it doesn't warrant surgery because he feels it is just calcium deposits.  He would like me to wait 6 months and have another mammogram.  It makes me feel unnerved that there is still that possibility that it could be, but without a biopsy they can't be sure.  I've prayed to God that he would give me some good news today and feel that He answered my prayers by the doctor saying he doesn't feel it needs to have a biopsy at this time.  He did say that if in two weeks my head is still reeling and I'm not getting any sleep fretting over this to call him and we would set up a biopsy but with his calm demeanor today, I'm just going to put it in the doctor's hand and believe that God answered my question about the biopsy today with the doctor's response.

 

Thank you for all your responses.  It's just upsetting having been through cancer once and a scare for a second time.  I'm not sure how I'm going to handle 6 months but if weeks go by and I'm just not comfortable with waiting I'll call and set up an appointment for biopsy just to make sure.

 

Wishing you all continued Blessings.

 

Kim

 

Comments

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #2
    Biopsy

    Kim, I hope that the doctor is correct. If you continue to have anxiety, I hope you do have the biopsy. A biopsy is so easy and the only way to know for sure. Knowledge is power when it comes to cancer and the earlier treated, the better. I guess you know that if you have already had breast cancer once.  

  • Beepositive
    Beepositive Member Posts: 259 Member
    #3

    Hello Kim, Glad to hear your news!!  try not to worry so much about the what ifs...(i know its hard)  Let God handle and go along and LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!! (we can only control so much)   HUGS , PRAYERS AND BEST WISHES FOR YOU!!   

    BEEPOSITIVESmile

  • Clementine_P
    Clementine_P Member Posts: 518 Member
    #4
    Very good news!

    Kim,

    I'm really happy to hear that the doctor was so encouraging and that you are feeling secure with his advice to you.  I think I would do the same as you are doing.  It will bug you over the next few months, I'm sure, but it all sounds so encouraging that I hope you can try to put it behind you for the time being.  This is what we, cancer victims,  all go through from time to time with scares.  It really stinks that we have to go through these episodes, so I completely understand your anxiety.

    Best,
    Clementine

  • Apaugh
    Apaugh Member Posts: 850 Member
    edited May 2017 #5
    GOOD

    Kim,

    I think what your doc told you was great. 

    When my son had testecular cancer, after surgery, we had to wait 3 months.  It spread, they did not get it all.  It only takes a cell.  It moved to the lymph nodes in his abdobmen and right lung.  Chemo.  Go back in 3 months, still there.  Got his first stem cell transplant.  THAT should of go it.  Nope, so they took out his lung and the nodes.  Oh gosh that was hard to watch.  more chemo.  3 more months go by, blood test still showed high Tcells, another stem cell transplant. 

    Every time the doc would hold those chest scans up and it looked like his other lung looked the same as the right one that was removed.  I would panic.  It looked like a star burst and scattered everywhere.   So I ask him, this lung looks the same as the other doc, HOW do you know it is ok?  He would calmly sit me down and hold them both up and show me the difference.  He would point to this star spot as compared to that star spot and to me they looked the same.  But it was the confidence in which he did it.  He proved over and over in his works he knew his stuff.  I said my prayers, I placed it in God's hands and I thanked God for sending us to this brilliant doctor.  He knew his stars and he was right.  My son is now 13 years cancer free. 

    Sometimes you just have to give it to God and pray He gives the doc the eyes to see and the knowledge to know the difference.

    Hugs,

    Annie

  • HapB
    HapB Member Posts: 527
    #6
    Risk Benefit Analysis

    Anna, as a person who is now diagnosed with her third unrelated cancer in 6 years, I totally understand the fear of recurrence. With each new symptom or suspicious scan or xray, we need to take the advice of the doctor but also consider the risks and benefits. Ask yourself what are the risks or negatives about the proposed test?  Then, ask yourself what is the benefit and what is the risk of harm if you do not do the test.  If they wanted to open up your chest to do an exploratory, there are real risks of harm even if it is cancer. If they wanted you to do a urine test to rule out cancer, there would be no risk of harm and the worst risk would be that there is a cancer and you refused the simple test.

    In the case of a biopsy, the benefit to you would be either ruling out cancer or discovering a cancer early enough to treat it. The harm would be the cost , and spending a few hours at the hospital, and potentially missing a cancer.  The "what ifs" have to be considered when dealing with cancer as part of your decision making process. You followed through and made the decision with your doctor. If it is the right decision for you, you will be able to put it away for another 6 months.

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
    Thank you all

    Thank you all for your responses.  I've done so much sole searching throughout the last couple days regarding this decision.  Just wish that the needle biopsy would have been the way to go for me.  I'm kicking myself now why my question to the doctor was "why couldn't they do it" when being on the table for 20 minutes and positioning me all possible ways but didn't ask him (they said too close to breast bone, but I'm not sure).  He did say to me after coming out of radiology before coming into my room for my appointment that he said they felt it was dangerous to proceed.  I'm just wondering why it didn't occur to me to ask WHY?  I've wanted to e-mail him but I'm not sure they even do that.  I'm going in for my colonoscopy next month and now I'm pretrified of that.  Being that I've had colorectal cancer I'm just now afraid of getting anymore cancer.  You all will be in my continued prayers and I'll come back and let you all know how my colonoscopy goes next month. 

    Hugs!  Kim

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