Hi, my name is Carol and I am 51 years old and have been recalled following a routine mammogram. I went along to my appointment today and was told they had found areas of calcification in my right breast that needed further examination. I had another mammogram - magnified and then saw a consultant surgeon who examined me, and then explained it could be benign or cancerous and I would need to have a biopsy to find out which, results would take 7 days. He also said that if it was cancerous, he thought the surgery needed would be quite straightforward because it had been found at an early stage. I didn’t think to ask if this would be a lumpectomy or masectemy.I was then taken through to ultrasound so they could pinpoint where to insert the needle for the biopsy but that wasn’t clear so I was told I would have to go on a special x ray machine and that they needed to take several samples. Unfortunately, just as I got undressed to have the procedure done, the monitor on the equipment went down! They have had to call an engineer and don’t know how long it will take to fix and so I’ve come home and they said they would telephone me, hopefully this afternoon, to arrange another appointment which could even be at another hospital. I know it’s no-ones fault, these things happen, but I feel a bit frustrated, I’m a bit shell shocked and would rather have got the biopsy over and done with. I’m just going to worry now, my father had breast cancer 10 years ago, he didn’t tell anyone he had a lump until it was really large, he had an operation to remove followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy which put it in remission for a year, but then unfortunately devoloped secondary cancer in his lungs. I know speed is important and feel all wound up with the delays. Sorry for moaning, I know there are an awful lot of people a lot worse of than me, but it helps to talk about it, thanks for listening. Apologies if there are any spelling mistakes but the spell checker wasn’t working! I think I’m a jinx on electrical equipment today!
Hi Carol
Last year calcifications were found on my mammogram, I had 6 core biopsies and results were still inconclusive. I also had a fibrodaenoma so they decided to do a WLE wide local exicision, which I had. It turned out that my calcification was contained in the fibrodaenoma so everything was taken out in one go. No more treatment just yearly mammos. There are 2 different types of calcification micro and macro dont be afraid to ask the radiologist questions.
Im so sorry the equipment went down, it must be hard to have to wait now, we all know that this is the hardest part but you should find quite a lot of support on this site.
Let us know how you get on
Yvonne xxx
Thanks Yvonne. The consultant surgeon said they were micro calcifications. I’ve read that if these are in a cluster, which mine are, that could point to being pre cancerous. Hospital rang me yesterday as promised and have got me an appoitment at Nottm City hospital on Tuesday morning for the biopsy. They said speed is of the essence and didn’t want me to have to wait until their machine was fixed, I think this is very effecient and everyone has been so nice, but at the same time, I’m thinking why the urgency! - should I worry?! Emotions are all over the place really. Is the actual biopsy procedure OK, are you sore and bruised after?
So pleased that you are Ok and everything got sorted so well, routine mammograms are a real blessing aren’t they.
Carol x
Hey Carol
I think that nowadays it is quite normal for the hospitals to sort you out as soon as they can, which is a good thing. I know that some places still have to wait but the majority will get you in asap. It is natural to worry though, I was in a terrible state.
The procedure is not too bad at all. You are given a local anesthetic first then they make a small cut where the needle will go in. They had trouble with mine because she found it hard to get through to the area so 3 different size needles were used (she said my boobs are very rubbery, nice!!) and my area was quite deep too. I was fine afterwards, very bruised though, a bit sore but bareable, didnt have to take any painkillers. The next day was ok too just took things easy, turning over in bed slowly etc.
Thats not too bad Tuesday morning is it? I think it is worse when they take ages your mind works overtime.
Good luck
Speak to you soon
Yvonne xx
Thanks Yvonne. I actually feel better about going on Tuesday than I did for the appointment yesterday because at least I know what they are going to do, and thanks for explaining the procedure to me. I’m trying to put it to the back of my mind till then and when it does come into my mind I’m trying to think positive.
It’s raining here today so spent the day so far spring (?) cleaning, music blasting out, will take my dogs for a nice long walk later and blow the cobwebs off.
Will let you know how I get on.
Bye for now
Carol x
Be ready for the ‘click’ as they take the sample! Mine didnt hurt at the time there was some slight bruising afterwards but it didnt really hurt at all.
Hi Carol
I had microcalcifications and had several core biopsies,I did’nt find it painful,just a bit uncomfortable,it makes a sound like a stapler when they take the samples.
I was bruised for some time afterwards and a bit sore but nothing to worry about.
I hope you have good news,
Love
Annalyn
Thanks Annalyn, you didn’t mention your results, hope everything was all clear for you.
Tomorrow’s biopsy day, not too worried, just know waiting for the results is going to be stressful. I feel a bit isolated at the moment apart from this web site and all you wonderful ladies. My mum has dementia and got so worked up when I first told her I had been recalled following the mammogram, she was really upset and rang my brother telling him something terrible had happened to me! She’s forgotten all about it now, (her short term memory is very bad) and so I think it’s better not to discuss it with her at all, don’t want her getting in a state again. I’ve told a few close friends and they have been really good and supportive, apart from one who is supposed to be a really good friend, I’m quite upset that she hasn’t even bothered to ask how I got on at the appointment last week!
Good luck to everyone who is getting their results this week - sending lots of hugs.
Carol
Hi Carol
I had a core biopsy in feb last year, just like the other ladies nothing to worry about. You say your consultant said the op would be straightforward,well just like you i had calcifications and had a wle (Wide Local Excision) or Lumpectomy. They xrayed my breast and inserted a wire to help the surgeon locate the area to be removed,unlike a lump the calcs can’t be felt, they then operate to remove the tissue. I think this is what your consultant must be talking about.From what i can gather wherever possible they will do breast conserving surgery.
Unfortunately for me I have had the same done on the other breast, calcs found after going for my 2nd mammogram, the op was last Thursday and as they didn’t do a biopsy first(they just removed the tissue as before)(the calcs where quite deep this time and I have implants)I have no idea what they have taken out with regards to benign,precanerous or anything else which i don’t want to say as I don’t want to tempt fate. get the results 12th March which is a long time compared to last year.(well maybe a couple of days but as we all no a day can seem like a year)
And you have had the added wait because of the equipment failure.
Hope this helps -------well a little anyway.
Good luck
Suexxx
Hope this helps.
Thanks. Sue - hope all goes well for you on the 12th.
Had the biopsy yesterday and it was a vacuum one. I think I must really be a jinx on electrical equipment, as again, there were a few problems, the suction tube kept getting blocked and they had to keep removing it, flushing it through with saline and putting it back in. They said my breast tissue was very fibrous and the calcifications were deep in. I was in the chair with my boob squashed for an hour! They were brilliant with me though, kept talking to me and apologising I was having to sit still for so long. I had loads of xrays as each time they removed the needle they were concerned there may have been some movement and they wanted to get in exactly the right places. Ath this point I’m not sure if they have removed all of the calcifications or just taken samples. I have two entry holes at the side of my breast, I feel pretty knocked up (3 rounds with Mike Tyson!) had very little sleep last night. I think I mentioned, I went to a different hospital and they said I could either go back there on Friday to get the results or go to my local hospital but would have to wait until next Thursday - I’ve opted for Friday of course! - so that’s good, not too long to wait.
Hi Carol
Well done, I hope you are not too sore today. Thats not bad getting your results on Friday. Let us know how you get on.
Yvonne xx
Hi everyone, had a bad couple of days but the pain has really eased today so feeling much better. Results day tomorrow, I’m strangely calm and feeling optimistic. Will let you know how I get on,
Carol x
Hi Carol
Good luck for tomorrow, let us know wont you.
Yvonne xx
Hi Carol
Is it today you were due back at the hospital.
Sue xxxx
Hi, thanks Yvonne and Sue for asking. Went for results Thursday appointment 2pm. I was told I would have to wait 20 minutes or so because they were still waiting for results of biopsy from pathology. An hour later I was told still waiting for results, there were some technical complications - I started to get a bit suspicious. When I was eventually seen by consultant the real reason for the delay ( 3 hours by then) was that the results had come back clear but by what he had seen on the x rays he queried this with pathology and asked them to test ALL the samples and double check the ones already done - they came back as pre-cancerous low to intermediate grade (thank God for a consultant that knows what he’s talking about!). He therefore diagnosed DCIS. He started to talk about surgery - booked me in provisionally for 4 weeks time - and asked if I had ever considered smaller breasts (I’'m a 38D) and said he could either do a straightforward WLE and I will be left disfigured or kind of do a reconstruction but my mind was blank and my mouth wouldn’t work (I can normally talk for England!). I came away with the breast care nurse’s telephone number and some leaflets and information. I wish I had have asked what he meant, does he mean reduce the size of my other boob as well - otherwise I would be wobsided? He also said that after surgery there may be a possiblitity that the tests could show a true cancer inside and then I would have to have further surgery tests on lymph nodes and radiotherapy. So what would be the point of reconstruction if I then had to have further surgery? My mind is in numb mode at the moment, can’t think straight.
Carol x
Sorry, forgot to mention I asked if I might as well just have a masectomy and the consultant said he would not recommend it at this stage?
Carol x
Blimey, I don’t even know what day it is! - just read my post back, I went Friday (yesterday!) for my results. This thing really blows your mind.
I’ve started a new thread on ‘newly diagnosed’ now.
Carol x
Hi Carol
Im so sorry, Thank God your consultant was on the ball eh!! Give yourself time to come to terms before you decide what to do, you have time, ask the girls lots of questions and ring the breast care nurse, find out as much as you can, when you are ready.
You could try posting on DCIS too. There are quite a few girls there.
Take Care
Yvonne xxx