Needle Loc Biopsy

marysun
marysun Member Posts: 39 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hello all. Here's my story: last Thursday I went to have my 6 month mammogram. The radiologist was not happy. He said that I have calcifications that are different than what he saw in July. His recommendation was to have a needle loc biopsy. I had an appointment with my oncologist for this past Tuesday as part of the 6 month followup, but his office called Friday morning and said "Gee, can you come in right away?" I always hate it when the doctor wants to see you "right away". He said that he also recommended a needle loc, but said I should contact the surgeon at Moffitt Cancer center who has done 2 surgeries on me (lumpectomy, axilla). So now I have an appointment next Thursday 1/29 to see the surgeon. I had my mammo report faxed over there and they called back and said that the report indicates that this needle loc is recommended.

I was pronounced "cancer free" last summer when I completed my treatment (4 rounds of A/C, 35 radiations) and at this point I have been cautioned not to get too upset, these calcifications are "usually" benign, it's probably nothing, yada yada yada. My oncologist actually said to me that the reason he would not want to wait 6 months on this is because of the risk that I might sue. That was comforting.

All that aside, I am trying to be calm about all this. I made myself crazy by going out on the web and seeing just what was involved in this needle loc biopsy. Eeek, I am a little scared now. Of course it means another surgery and I sure don't look forward to that. But in the grand scheme, it is ONLY surgery -- not chemo, not radiation.

I guess what I am looking for today is some reassurance that this is not too terrible, and that I am not the only person in the world that is going through this. I will not know anything for probably weeks from now, but I will know next week when the biopsy will be scheduled, so will post after that. Thanks for just being here, and I feel better just writing this down. I know that some of you have walked this road. Sure are a lot of potholes, eh? I'm working on keeping the sun shining . . . .

Comments

  • Trese
    Trese Member Posts: 8
    #2
    I'm here because my sister-in-law has Inflammatory Breast Cancer and I'm trying to learn as much as I can. I read your message and since nobody has had a chance to reply yet, I just decided to at least send you my good thoughts. I did have a lumpectomy myself and fortunately it wasn't malignant. So, at least I have some experience with that really nasty "wait and see" period. It's impossible not to have some anxiety and worry. But I've found over the years that most of the things I really, really worried about ... never happened. So, I hope you can keep the anxiety level as low as possible, and save your energy for all that sunshine to come.
  • jeancmici
    jeancmici Member Posts: 665 Member
    #3
    Hi Marysun,

    To try to reassure you - and I do understand the anxiety over the unknown - you are going to a very good cancer center. Also remember that somehow we get the courage to handle what we have to handle as you know from your previous surgeries.

    Rely on God and thoughts of good doctors and we'll all be pulling for you to find a not serious condition.
    Hugs, Jean
  • vac
    vac Member Posts: 97
    #4
    i had bilat masectomy nov 2002, my cancer was on the right. i decided to have the left breast removed. the hospital did a biopsy of my left breast, when i saw my surgeon he told me there was some calcification. i was glad i had both removed. do you live in tampa? i had a stem cel transplant at moffitt in oct 2003, i thought it was a great hospital. good luck
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #5
    Mary, I know none of this is funny, but when I read the part of your message that said the only reason the oncologist would not want to wait 6 months on this is to avoid the risk of a lawsuit, I snorted and laughed simultaneously, making a blizzard of tiny rainbow dots on the monitor.

    I had a needle localized biopsy in 1999. The anticipation is always the very worst part. You'll do fine.
    Hugs,
    Denise
  • marysun
    marysun Member Posts: 39 Member
    #6
    DeeNY711 said:

    Mary, I know none of this is funny, but when I read the part of your message that said the only reason the oncologist would not want to wait 6 months on this is to avoid the risk of a lawsuit, I snorted and laughed simultaneously, making a blizzard of tiny rainbow dots on the monitor.

    I had a needle localized biopsy in 1999. The anticipation is always the very worst part. You'll do fine.
    Hugs,
    Denise

    Thanks everyone for the hugs. In an effort to not think about it AT ALL, my husband & I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this weekend. We bought the "romantic getaway" package at an expensive hotel. I am going to be wearing a Big Smile . . .
  • inkblot
    inkblot Member Posts: 698 Member
    #7
    marysun said:

    Thanks everyone for the hugs. In an effort to not think about it AT ALL, my husband & I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this weekend. We bought the "romantic getaway" package at an expensive hotel. I am going to be wearing a Big Smile . . .

    Love your attitude,Marysun!!! Your moniker here suggests that you find ways to let the sunshine in, no matter what.

    Just keep that attitude and keep smiling. Until you know precisely what you're dealing with, there's nothing you can really proactively do, and I think it's fantastic that you're finding such delightful ways to spend the time! So inspiring! When all is said and done, all we can really control is our reactions to whatever happens and I'm a big proponent of doing just that...taking charge of what we CAN take charge of. ENJOY THAT ROMANTIC GETAWAY and hoping for good news from you soon.

    Love, light and laughter,
    Ink
  • Trese
    Trese Member Posts: 8
    #8
    marysun said:

    Thanks everyone for the hugs. In an effort to not think about it AT ALL, my husband & I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this weekend. We bought the "romantic getaway" package at an expensive hotel. I am going to be wearing a Big Smile . . .

    Congratulations!! 25 Years is OUTSTANDING and I'm sure there are many, many more to come. Have a WONDERFUL TIME!
  • banker
    banker Member Posts: 317 Member
    #9
    hi, if it helps any, I had a needle loc biopsy in 2002, was not as bad as I thought, a little time consuming, sitting around waiting for the doctor to get the needle in the right spot, I had thought it would be more painful, it was not. Then my surgeon came and did the biopsy, mine was positive for BC, my 2nd time, had lumpectomy ,radiation and chemo. That was in 2002. I am fine at the present time. Wish you the best, God bless. ((hugs)) emmi

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