very worried help from the ladies please!

kscolorado · Post by **kscolorado** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:04 pm

Just got back from a long vacation on Saturday and got to opening mail today. My mammogram I had on sept 4th came back as because of findings to have more screening views done. They stated in the letter that these findings are more often benign. I'm still shocked and very scared. My doctor told me last month that I had fibrocystic breast changes so I'm hoping its just that making the screening difficult. I know this has nothing to do with this board but hoping some of the ladies can ease my mind. I will call in the morning to set up this second screening.

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:13 pm

Don't worry, this has been on the board before and don't ever hesitate about a health problem, please.

Of course, I can't tell you it's nothing, but it more than likely is not a problem. As long as you don't just assume that and follow the "recheck" routine, you will most likely be told that it "doesn't appear to be a problem but follow up in 6 mo" (or whatever time period they want).

November will be my third time. Still "doesn't seem to be a problem" but they must "CTA" and keep checking. (cover their ass).

They not only do the mammo over on the right breast but also an ultrasound.

When I got the first "recall notice" it upset me too. Then I found out a lot of places have better equipment now and are seeing "things" they didn't see before on the older equipment. I do believe that's what happened in my case. If they really thought it was "something" they'd do a biopsy. If it gets to that point I'll probably be nervous.

I hope this helped.

Love, Shirley

kscolorado · Post by **kscolorado** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:34 pm

Thanks Shirley you have helped. I just didn't expect it. I'm trying to stay positive and not get all upset because after all getting upset doesn't change things. Hopefully they will get me in right away so I won't have to keep wondering whats going on.

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 7:48 pm

Kathy,

I got the same kind of news several years ago. Although there is a history of fibroids in my family the way it was told to me (over the phone) sent me into that scared mode. When I went in for the recheck they did an ultrasound at the same time and I was told there was nothing there. Since then they now do them digitally. Since they can immediately compare to the previous year I have never had another recheck.

Please let us know when you have the recheck and what the results are.

Jan

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:36 am

Kathy,

I also have had to go for follow up ultrasounds twice - turns out my lymph node is in an odd place and shows up on the mammo as a strange mass. I was very scared, so I know what you are going through. Hopefully yours will be begn as well.

Mary Beth

jodibelle352 · Post by **jodibelle352** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:55 am

Hi Kathy:

Just as the other women have mentioned these boards are meant to give support in any way we can.

Many of us have had the mammogram scare and many of us are breast cancer survivors. I myself am one of the very very fortunate ones.

In Oct. of 1994 I had what they call a Fiborcycstic Mass with Feelers removed from my right breast. I was very surprised and relieved to find out that the mass that was removed was benign because of the history of breast cancer in my family.

It is easier said than done to NOT WORRY so Kathy I want you to know that what you're feeling is NORMAL and anything we can do to help you through this time of uncertanty we are here for you.

It's important for you to know that most of the time the spots found usually are NOT cancer. But it's so very important to follow through to make sure. Early detection is very important if breast cancer is found.

I hope you give yourself the oppertunity to relax, regroup your thoughts and take this situation one step at a time.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Sweety and don't ever feel that you have to hold back with any of your fears on these boards. You will be surprised how much we know and have been through that can help you in return.

Love and God Bless:
Jodi

shekoe · Post by **shekoe** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:56 am

I, too, was very worried last year when I received such a letter. Ended up having ultrasound and biopsy. The mass was benign, as are most. Unless we have a strong family history of breast cancer, we never expect to have an abnormal mammogram. I was shocked and worried (hey I'm only human). Will keep you in my thoughts. Hope the follow up tests are negative and you can soon move on from this experience. Shekoe

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:58 am

Kathy---

Same with me-----one year scarred the bejezzers outter me---and I was in AZ. on vacation when I got my reports fowarded to me--
Had all mammos sent from NY to AZ-----found a great manno place and they did a repeat and--as usual this little *spot* always appears--also had a *scan* done---and the nurse --in AZ--said--*there it is* look over and U can see it---I know I said back---I have been thru this before----then she asked me if she could call in the TRAINEES to see the *speck* and *of course* I replied----and when they came in---the spot couldnt be FOUND!!! so we all did (mind U) LAUGH!!

Got back home to NY --went again and got *squished*--had another scan and the doctor comes in and says to me* Barbara we have spotted this for YEARS!!!!!

I know its enugh to raise the hairs on ya head but as long as it is checked over---U are being *watched*

Barbara

kscolorado · Post by **kscolorado** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:21 am

thanks ladies you are all so great...wish I could hug each and everyone of ya! I have an appointment for Wednesday at 12:30 for the second look. The gal on the phone said they wanted to look at my left breast again. I asked her if I should be concerned and she said No, we do a ton of call backs for second looks. This is my bigger side that always gives me problems (I have fibrocycstic breast changes) right before my cycle or if I am bad and drink a ton of caffeine. I don't feel anything at all except the tapioca bumps where the doctor told me in the past was fibrocycstic so I am hoping thats all that it is. I will keep you all posted. Gonna relax with a good book to keep my mind of off things. Woke up to snow here in Colorado Springs and my husband is freezing his umm rear off at a golf tournament but they are still playing unless they get too much accumulation. He's playing 45 minutes up into the mountains so it makes a big difference! Thanks again ladies, it means so much to me to have a place to vent my fears!

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:19 pm

I echo what everyone else has said. I've occasionally had to return for a followup. I just did this year again. I've noticed a lot of other women are also there when I go for the followup. Sometimes I wonder if they are just CTA as Shirley said. I've read that the tests are becoming so finite that they are needlessly worrying a lot of women and having them return for more tests. Of course, they make more money from the additional testing, too.

Gloria

Gas Bag · Post by **Gas Bag** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 9:35 am

I hope everything goes well today Kathy. And I am sure they are just being cautious. Never heard CTA before, but I like that.

I am glad to see so many gals on here get their check-ups, I know an appalling number of women who refuse to get mammograms.

I had a frantic call-back on my pap a few years ago, the funny thing was I did go far too many years between that check-up, but anyway, they caught some pre-cancerous stuff just in the nick of time. Anyway my point being, don't ever skip your check-ups!

Ha! I was just thinking, atleast for some things the medical profession seems to know what they are doing.

We will all be waiting to hear how it goes today Kathy.

Deb