scared, please help - Cancer: Breast Message Board

svd88 · 05-20-2008, 01:08 PM

I had a mammogram about a month ago, it came back with 2 areas of concern, I had the 2nd mammogram and ultrasound, same thing, I had an apt. yesterday with a surgeon and I'm having a stereotactic biopsy in a week, then another 2-3 days wait for results. The waiting is the hardest thing, I can't concentrate at all and am exhausted from trying to be brave. I'm 48 yrs. old and have no breast cancer history in my family, so I know I have that on my side, its just the not knowing for sure. I'm scared......

Any advice from someone thats been there?

ladyabby · 05-20-2008, 01:19 PM

Hi,
I had a Mammotone Stereotactic Biopsy about a month ago and I really thought it wasn't bad at all. You lay on a table with your breast hanging through a hole but the table is padded. They compress your breast while they mark where the calcifications are. But the compression wasn't as tight as it is during a regular mammogram. With me, they first numbed the breast with lidocaine and all I felt was a pinch. The surgeon made a small cut just big enough to insert the probe that would collect the tissue. From then on, I felt nothing. They shot a "marker" that permenantly stays in the breast, so if the results were malignant, the surgeon would be able to find the area and radiologists will watch this area when future mammograms are done. They took some films before they removed the tissue. It sounded like a vacuum cleaner was running while she removed 8 tissue samples. After she took the samples, they xrayed the tissue to make sure the calcifications were retrieved. I had minimal bruising with very little pain or discomfort. I know that you're very scared but remember most biopsies (80%) are benign. Mine was. Let me know how things go. I hope this helped.

svd88 · 05-20-2008, 01:39 PM

thank you, yes, it helps.........just to talk to someone with the experience, isn't the waiting just pure torture?
the dr. also prescribed valium for me to take before the procedure, he said, I have to be very still, how long did yours take?

leea1206 · 05-20-2008, 04:25 PM

Just wanted to add my 2 cents. I had the stereotactic biopsy also. It wasn't too bad. As I remember, (2yrs ago), it took about 30 minutes. - The radiologist DID have to go in a 2nd time, as she did not get enough tissue the 1st time.

Unfortuately mine was positive for breast cancer, but I have a family hx. It was caught very early though, and I should be fine.

Hope all goes well. With the valium, you should be fairly relaxed.

Leea

ladyabby · 05-20-2008, 06:59 PM

Hi,
My stereotactic biopsy also took about 30 minutes. I have a very strong history of breast cancer in my family, my maternal grandmother, my mother, my sister and several maternal cousins all diagnosed with it so I was relieved but somewhat surprised when it came back benign. I had the biopsy on a Monday and had the results on Thursday. Try to keep yourself busy. If you have a hobby that you enjoy then throw yourself into it. Whatever you can do that you enjoy to keep your mind off of things. It really does help ease the waiting. I have a 22 month old grandson who is truly the joy of my life, so I spent many hours with him. Take care.