Who so many biopsies taken today?

[Cog]

Hi Lo-la

Just wondering if you got your results. Hope they have come through with good news. Waiting is awful, isn't it?

I finally got my results this week, 5 weeks since the stereotactic core needle biopsy & I'm so pleased to say no sign of malignancy. I have to go back in 6 months for a mammogram to check that the calcifications haven't changed. I guess this is usual procedure???!

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you so much to everyone who supported me during this agonising wait & all the very best to everyone still in the waiting room.

 Cog x

[Cog]

Hi Lo-la

I read on the internet that taking 6-10 samples is normal. I'm in the same boat as you. Hi shipmate!

We read so much into every thing that happens, every expression on the faces of the staff. Naturally we assume the worst but the statistics are encouraging....

In the meantime I'm relying on my relaxation CD to help me take my mind off it (for a nano second!!). There are several "Minfulness"CDs & books available. It's also great to read the posts & know there are lots of people out there sending cyber love & support so here's a cyber hug!!

Cog

[MelMc68]

Hi Hotlips,

I swore when I got my diagnosis that, whatever it was, I would continue to support people on here, because I got so much support when I needed it. I think a lot of people thiink they will carry on, even if they get good news, but I suppose, if you've had the all clear, you just want to forget about it and move on with your life, which is entirely understandable.

I think the issue with only getting comments from people with a diagnosis of BC is that they may come across as negative. They might give the impression that everyone is going to be diagnosed with cancer, which is so far from the truth.

I always try to be positive, whilst being realistic. I remember my first post and the first response I got... although the person was trying to help, I was convinced then that I must have cancer!!!!! Unfortunately, I did, but most people don't, so we have to be careful how we word things, so as not to give the wrong impression. At the end of the day, we're not medical experts! We can only support with the emotional roller coaster that we all take a ride on...

I really hope you get good news, and if so, whether you choose to stay on or not, you'll be free from those horrible thoughts we all get.

Take care, Mel. xxx

[Hotlips50]

Mel I will bear in mind what you said about people dont stick around after they have received a good result. If mines is good...I will be back because my mind has been put at rest by the simplest of comments and I am learning to stay positive.....even though I find myself with tears rolling down my face when am on the bus going to work. Just a fear of the unknown x

[Hotlips50]

Hey Lo-la...chin up girlie. It is a worrying time for everyone. Like u Ive been told its calcifications but they need to know if its good cells or bad cells. Like u I had 4 core biopsies....after the mammogram that followed they told me the breast had moved and they needed to do it again...so they took 8 four of which were tested. After my inconclusive result....I have a date for a second biopsy in 3 weeks time. The waiting is the worst part. Am not asking to jump the queue but girls facing what could turn out to be cancer......shouldnt have to chase the hospital for appointments.....I am worried but I feel ok. Good luck with your results xx

[sylviah]

lo-la, Hi....ditto to everything that has been said. Keep busy and if you need to scream and shout do so, it really releases the tension. If it all gets too much contact you GP and get some help there. I wish you all the luck in the world for your results and Mel is right, whatever the result it does make it easier as you can then plan what to do, whether good or not so good.

We are all here for you, so sound off to us if you need to, you can type everything you feel, even if it seems silly and no-one will judge what you say. 

Love Sylvia xx

[Whatkatiedid]

Hi lo-la
The waiting is the hardest. When I got my call back, I was looking at every expression the nurses were given, thinking they weren't telling me something but of course they are just doing their job and will always be honest with you. When I went for my call back, there were other ladies there to having 2nd mammograms. They seemed to be in and out in no time while I still had to wait to have ultrasound and core biopsies. Like you I thought why do they need so many? I asked my consultant 'do I have breast cancer?' She said it looks unlikely so I held onto that BUT it still didn't take away the fear that it might be. It all felt surreal. Take on board what Mel has said, she is a godsend and has reassured me recently. Try not to worry (easier said then done and I am the worlds worst) lol. Anytime between now and then if you want to chat, I will be here. I am sure you will be fine, keep positive and busy.
Big hugs, Katie xxx

[MelMc68]

Hi Lo-la,

Trust me, the waiting is absolutely the hardest part... waiting for appointments, waiting for tests, waiting for results... all a complete nightmare. It's completely natural to worry, so don't beat yourself up for it.

I've said this to so many people in the last few months that I've been on here... try as much as possible to find something that engages your brain! Something you enjoy doing that you can immerse yourself in to keep your mind from wandering. For me, I played lots of games and puzzles etc. That was my way of coping with the waiting game...

I think for a lot of people on these forums, the whole thing is completely new territory to begin with... Most of us would have very little idea about breast cancer until we're faced with it. And then there are so many different kinds! However, the MAIN thing to remember is that most issues turn out to be completely benign. A few of us are unlucky.

Trust me when I say this; whatever your issue turns out to be, once you know what your dealing with, it definitely gets easier. The waiting puts your life on hold, but once you have a diagnosis, good or bad, the clock starts ticking again and you can move forward. This may sound odd, but when I got my diagnosis, I felt a sense of relief, purely because I knew what I was dealing with... Also bear in mind that when people get a good result, they tend to stop using these forums, so most people who hang around to offer support have had a diagnosis of BC. It's a shame that more people who have had a good result don't stay on to support those in your kind of situation.

Anyway, after that ramble, keep yourself busy until Monday afternoon... Try not to worry. Worry is like being on a rocking horse; it gives you plenty to do, but doesn't get you anywhere!!

Best of luck Lo-la; I'm sending you positive vibes down t'internet!! xxx

[Lo-la]

Hi Katie / Mel,

You lovely, lovely ladies. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to reply to my plea for information. You are both quite right and I hadn't really thought of it like that until I read your replies: it is of course definitely better to have too many samples taken than too few...

I think I'm just panicked and made paranoid by the smallest thing at the moment. By the smallest suggestion that there might be something untoward. I was really scrutinising all of the clinic staff that I came into contact with yesterday. I kept thinking - do they know something I don't know. I was scrutinising them for little clues. Ridiculous I know because I actually think the clinic staff were very open and honest with me.
This whole thing is just completely new territory to me though and I feel completely at sea.
I have been reassured by the leaflet on calcifications but what I really want to hear is a negative result from the biopsies. I return to the clinic on Monday afternoon. they won't give results over the phone.
This time I' m not going to wear any mascara that day. Just in case.

[MelMc68]

Hi Lo-la,

Katie is absolutely right. I'm sure the reason for the additional biopsies was to ensure they have captured the right cells. Better to have too many than too few...

Here's the link for the leaflet on calcifications, which should help. http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/breast-awareness/benign-breast-conditio...

The majority of calcifications are innocent, so try not to worry yourself too much.

P.S, I've just copied and pasted this link from the other thread (Need someone to talk sense into me), so if this doesn't work, you can pick it up from there.

Best wishes, try not to panic! Love Mel. xxx

[Whatkatiedid]

Hi lo-la.
I had exactly the same as you...called for mammo back in Sept 2013. (I was 49 at the time). Got a recall 2 weeks later at a different hospital. Had more thorough mammo on right breast, ultra sound (found no lumps) but they did see tiny white specks that looked like califactions but consultant did not seemed to concerned. I was a nervous wreck!!! Then had core biopsies on 5 areas and they did say if they didn't get the precise area, they would have to do it again. Luckily they got it all first go. Then they made an appointment at my hospital to discuss results, would be about 10 days. Those 10 days were the longest of my life. You think of all types of things but I kept remembering this consultant saying she didn't think it was anything to worry about - guess I put my trust in her after all she does this for a living! Lol. Anyway, on the day of the appointment she called to say no sign of breast cancer was found, just contained califactions and to go and enjoy my day!!! Will get call back in 3 years but I am always breast aware.
I think there is a link by Lucy about califactions on 'here we go again' subject. It should put your mind at rest (but probably won't ). I know only too well the waiting game is s..t.
Hope this is helpful. When do you get your results? I am here if you need to ask any thing else. They are being thorough with you because they cannot leave any stone unturned, and you wouldn't want them too. Take care
Katie xx

[Lo-la]

Hello ladies,

Wow - this has all happened so fast....I had my first mamo done (as just turned 50) a couple of weeks ago. Got a recall letter a few days later to attend a different clinic for further tests.
Went today and was told that further tests were needed because of "clusters" seen in both breasts on the initial mammogram. I then had a further mammogram done - this time a "magnified" one. Clinic Dr reviewed those. One was fine, the other contained a few really tiny bright white spots - probably calcification the Dr said, and possibly nothing to worry about, but they would need an ultrasound and a biopsy to get more detail. Just before the biopsy I was told they would need to take 6-10 tissue samples. After 6 had been taken, they took the samples off and must have examined them in some way because they then told me that "the pathologist would like some more samples taken". They then took the additional 4 samples.
Of course I'm now worried sick by them needing to take even more biopsies than the original 6 that were planned.
Does anyone know why they needed to do the extra ones?
Everything just seems to be escalating far faster than I'm able to deal with things and I'm struggling at times to keep my panic under control!