I cant do this......

MRI
My mammogram came back with something so was scheduled for ultrasound didn't see anything but then had an MRI and something showed up. I am glad I had that MRI and you should as well..

Better to be safe than sorry. The MRI may not show anything but it is all worth it in the end.

Don't cancel it.

Everything is overwhelming you right now--take a deep breathe and wait for the results--I know it is easier said then done.

All of the sisters, brothers, and caregivers are here for you.

Many hugs,
Margo

seof said:

normal feelings
The feelings of fear and confusion are normal. You are not a baby, you have just heard some potentially bad news. Wanting to reject it and being afraid are normal reactions. The MRI will give the Drs. more information to go on. If it shows nothing, that's good. If it shows something, it will give them more detailed information and help the biopsy to be more precise, if they think that's the next step. Here's how I think you can help yourself:

Get a notebook and write down any questions or fears you have. Get a person you trust who can go with you to the Dr. You and the other person should listen to the Dr. and write down answers. You are dealing with very emotional issues and are getting a lot of new information. 2 heads are better than one, and writing it down will help you to go back later and compare what the 2 heads heard. Keep a running list of your questions in between visits and take your notebook to every appointment. Also, keep posting on this site. It is great to hear from those who have "been there/done that".

Take good care of yourself. seof

The waiting
The waiting and wondering is so hard but in the end you will have peace of mind -- good or bad.

If the news is good you will be so glad you went ahead and did it -- if the news is bad you will be so glad you did it because then you don't have to wonder anymore and can get on with it.

This is the greatest place for encouragement and comfort. Everyone is so willing to give you advice and you know it comes from the heart because they have been there. Sometimes the information you get is not sugar-coated but we need that dose of reality. I have already gotten valuable information from here.

Keep us posted on your situation.

aztec45 said:

Margo is Right
Margo is right. Don't cancel your appt. It may be nothing at all or it may catch something early. Try to hang in there and if you need to talk, get on here. There is someone on here at most all hours.

P

It would be worse not
It would be worse not knowing. You would worry all the time. Better to know and act on it then do nothing. I know how scared you are, but you will get through and we are here to help you do that. One day at a time. Hugs

Yes you can!!!
At the beginning it seems like a the world in on your shoulders. Not just yours but your loved ones too.
It seems impossible and you start asking why you.
However courage, attitude and determination are key factors in your road to survival...

It will be a roller coaster ride.. ups and downs, your body will change before your eyes and sometimes you are going to fell like crap.
But when you go to the Oncologist, after whatever it feels like an eternity, and he/she tells you that cancer is gone... you will feel so blessed that you fought for your life.

I'm here to chat any time. I'm a co-survivor and not only mom had the cancer, the whole family did.
You can do this!! Beleive in yourself... You family needs you!

I understand what you are
I understand what you are feeling. You want to hide you head in the sand ... yet at the same time, you know you have to find out what is going on but you don't want to WAIT. Time creeps by and your imagination runs wild. Everything has happened to me in the last 19 days. The process did include an MRI with contrast so this is not an unusual part of the process. I am still in shock ... but we all know that life is precious. We do what we have to do to make the quality of our lives as good as it can be. Please know that you are not alone. I just found this website today and I am so comforted by the posts. Take one day at a time and believe in the power of positive energy. It works.

Sunrae said:

You are stronger than you
You are stronger than you realize and you'll get thru this. Most of us have curled into that little ball but after a little time we've come out of it. Information is power and when we find out more about our situation it empowers us to make good decisions. Keep your appt and find out what's going on. At first we think we've been handed a death sentence when we're dxed, and then we find there is still life. You may not have anything to worry about and we'll hope for the best for you. Sending you hugs and prayers.

mri
MRIs are done for women with very dense breasts. Xrays and ultrasound sometimes just don't show whether there really is or is not something there in really dense breasts (usually younger women). The more dense (less fat), the whiter the breast area and harder to pick out a change. (think about driving in a light snow versus a white-out blizzard) They are expensive, so not a first-line check. Ultrasounds are great, because if it is just a cyst, it will show up as a big black hole in the surrounding white tissue. If it is a solid mass, it will be either more dense (more white) than surrounding tissue or not really visible.

The MRI takes multiple images in different sections and directions. It is NOT radiation, so no worries there. You won't be able to wear any metal (don't forget metal fasteners in pants, etc) and they'll ask about any metal implants (mercury fillings in your teeth are ok) because MRI is magnetic. It is rather noisy bumping thumping noises but they should be giving you ear plugs. Some places play music or you can just play it in your head. The tube bothers some people (close confinement). Keeping your eyes closed, singing in your head--not out loud, as they don't want you moving---or daydreaming may help with that. Some places do it with your arms forward (like you are diving) and some do it with your arms at your sides (which is more comfortable, especially if you already have shoulder issues). You lay on your stomach with your boobs falling into the "boob holes". First they take plain views. Then, they will give you an iv of dye. The dye does NOT tell you you have cancer. It simply "lights up" areas with more blood supply. This does NOT mean cancer. It could still be a benign tumor, granuloma (inflammatory lesion), or other. If something does show up, then they can do stereotactic xray biopsy (if was visible on xray), ultrasound guided (if was visible on ultrasound) or MRI guided. The MRI guide is that, they put a plate with measuring marks all over it in the boob hole with you. Then do MRI. Count the marks and figure out where the mass is and put the needle thru holes in the mark plates. All biopsies are done with locals, so no pain.

Have had all 3 ways for tests and biopsies over the years, also started at 42. IF it is cancer, you might want to check with an oncologist about getting genetic testing for the BRCA genes even if no other relatives have had breast cancer, just because you are younger than usual.

PLEASE get the MRI
Please get the MRI, knowing is much better than not knowing. The MRI can show much more than mammogram and ultra sound. The MRI may have saved my life.

I had a mammogram and ultrasound following an infection in my left breast. The surgeon wanted to biopsy it but, wanted an MRI first to make sure there wasn't something else going on (in that breast) that she should also biopsy. The MRI tech just happened to scan both breasts. Guess who had increased blood flow (3cm x 3cm) in the other breast. The biopsy on the left breast was negative. Without the MRI, the right breast would not have been biopsied. The mammogram and ultrasound of the right breast (following the MRI) showed nothing--and they knew exactly where to look! So, the biopsy done on the right was positive (DCIS). The surgeon said it would have been at least a year, probably 18 months before the area was detectable by mammogram and ultrasound. The cancerous area would have been larger and the cancer would most likely have invaded the surrounding tissue by then. So, to me the MRI is a wonderful tool.

If nothing else, the MRI can give you piece of mind---either there is something going on in other areas of the breast (or breasts) or there is not. But, you will KNOW.

Take care of yourself. Ask your Dr is she/he can give you something to help you rest. Everything is easier to cope with if you are rested. Take someone with you to all of the testing. It helps to have someone hold your hand and/or comfort and distract you. The waiting is really hard. But, there is no way around it. I tried to stay away from activities that required concentration, because I couldn't focus on much of anything.

Hopefully we'll be able to celebrate with you really soon. If not we will be here to guide you and support you.

Hugs, El

I remember thinking that exact thought
I remember thinking that exact thought on the drive to the hospital for my first chemo treatment. I was wrong -- I could do it and so can you. All the advice you've already gotten here is wonderful and it will get you through whatever lies ahead. The suggestion of taking someone with you to listen to answers and take notes is an especially good one, as is writing down your thoughts and questions as you go along. Good luck; we're all with you.

Felt the same way
Jackbro - I felt the same way. This is a normal reaction. The MRI is a wonderful tool. Use it! If you catch things early - if it is anything - you can come out of this a victor! There are many survivors! And we're there for you! Let us know how you do tomorrow. The waiting for results is the worst part but you will survive - you will handle it. You're tougher than you think!
Beth

AMomNETN said:

Go have your MRI it may turn
Go have your MRI it may turn out to be nothing but a cyst. A mammogram detected my lump when nothing was felt by drs., me, or my husband. I thought it was nothing at first but I was wrong. It hasn't be an easy path but one I'm on to save me. I've done my first round of chemo and had a double mastecomy in about 4 months time. I didn't think I could deal but I have. I have way too much to live for than 2 boobs. The earlier it is caught the better your chances for a long and happy life. Janie

Please let us know how it went...
We're all praying and thinking of you.