K.S. asks from Littleton, CO on December 06, 2009
Mammogram Panic
Hi moms,
I am freaking out and really hoping you can provide some insight or comfort. I had a physical with my primary care doc a few days ago and he felt something during the breast exam that he wants checked out by a mammogram and possibly ultrasound. When I asked him if I should be worried he said 'no'. He said I have fibro-cystic breat tissue, which basically means everything in my breasts feel lumpy, but he would just feel better having this one spot (lump) looked at further than a manual exam can.
I had my regular pap smear and gyn visit in May, and he didn't feel anything at that time. So that makes me feel a little better, but not much. Because now my mind is getting ahead of me and I realized that when I asked if I should be worried, the doctor was not likely to say "absolutely, I would be terrified if I were you".
I'm not worried about the actual mammogram. I'm worried about the results. I'm hoping some of you can relate and help me feel more confident going into this. I'm just having a hard time not thinking of the worst case scenario. I would like to feel like there is a chance that this will not be awful news, and even if it is bad, that it does not mean a death sentence for me.
I hope some of you are willing to share your experience with this, and hopefully it won't freak me out even more! I just don't know what to do with myself for the nearly two weeks I have to wait for the test. I am not sleeping, I'm constantly crying, and my stomach is in knots.
Thanks for listening.
1 mom found this helpful
So What Happened?™
I was so overwhelmed and touched by all of the wonderful responses I got from you all. I was in tears as I read them. Thank you SO much for the encouragement and words of comfort. I can't even begin to tell you how much it helped me get through the waiting.
Anyway, I had the test and they turned out fine. No problems, no biopsies. They did find many cysts, so I'm a bit freaked about that, just knowing there will likely be concerns in the future and I need to keep that in perspective. But overall I am relieved that everything is ok. But honestly, I went into the test feeling so confident that no matter what they found I really would be ok either way. Thanks ladies, you really came through on this.
Featured Answers
K.K. answers from Denver on December 06, 2009
Hi K., I wish I could tell you to quit worrying and that you will be fine. I had the very same thing happen to me. I could not sleep, I was sick, I told everyone that would listen to me and the biggest shock I could not eat. Then after the biopsy it was nothing. Just a irregular shaped cyst. Also, it was documented and now I have a sort of blue print that is a map to go by when ever that particular lump is shown on any following mamograms. They can see if it has or has not changed in size or shape. And all that worry and crying was a real waste of time. Take it easy, it is probably like me just a cyst. GL K. K.
More Answers
K.B. answers from Salt Lake City on December 07, 2009
Don't worry-- fibro-cystic disease is not serious (just uncomfortable). Chances are it's a cyst but your doctor is right to get it checked to be on the safe side. I've actually heard that people with fibro-cystic disease are unlikely to get malignant lumps. So relax. I do think it's terrible that they can't get you in for 2 weeks, though. You should demand to get in sooner...if only for the sake of your nerves.
I.O. answers from Boise on December 07, 2009
I wanted to let you know i went through this same exact thing when i was 25 yrs old I KNOW how you are feeling and that is a normal reaction, but on the bright side, I had the Mam. and all was fybro, I had to have mam's every year for three years just to make sure, but all was fine. Let me also tell you, STOP drinking caffeine of all sorts yes even chocolate and the lumps and pain will go away. A bit of decaf is ok , and yes you will get used to it. Good luck to you hope this eases your mind a bit.
K.O. answers from Boise on December 07, 2009
Try not to worry! I have been diagnosed with fibrocystic breasts and it is common to find lumps and have them further evaluated by mammogram. Stats show that women with fibrocystic breasts are less likely to have cancerous lumps. Your doctor is just ruling out any possibility. This is one of the reasons the ruling was changed to only do mammograms yearly after 50 and to avoid self exams because of the stress and expense of finding false positives. Take one day at a time. Worrying about something that hasn't occurred is a waste of your time and energy.
Karen
K.H. answers from Denver on December 07, 2009
K.,
Breast cancer runs in my family; my Mom has had it twice. So when I felt a lump while I was nursing my 6 month old I was quite distressed. I had to get it checked out too. Fortunately the Dr. had the foresight not to do a biopsy bc. then I would have leaked milk from that day on through the biopsy site & this would have no doubt shortened my enjoyable & lengthy breastfeeding experience with my daughter. It turned out the lump was nothing.
How did I get through? I can honestly say, I had to force myself to stop worrying until the results came. I tried to save my energy bc. I knew I would need all of my it if the test came out positive. I didn't want to start running myself down with the wondering. It felt like that wasn't efficient energy expenditure. Yes, it was a very mental block that I put on myself. I had seen my Mom go through cancer & chemo/radiation twice & I knew how much it took to get through. Even if it was my last opportunity, I was hoping for the best. I figured that was better for my body and mind than spin dialing the worry.
Either way, you will get through.
Oh, and how lucky your mate is a comical one. Perhaps he can help with this in these situations.
I'll be thinking of you & wishing you the best.
K.
P.D. answers from Denver on December 07, 2009
I didn't read all the responses, but wanted to mention (in case no one else did) that hormones at certain times of the month can create lumps and bumps that are only there pre-period that leave with the onset of your period,that are not a concern at all. Any chance you were pre-menstrual?
L.B. answers from Provo on December 07, 2009
K.,
I had/have fibrocystic disease, diagnosed in my 20's. In my 50's, I had a bad mammogram, and had a biopsy. It came back as cancer. I had a the lump and two lymph nodes removed and did chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and herceptin therapy. It took about a year. I lost my hair. During this time, I also remained employed (I was able to cut down to half time during the chemo), continued working on my PhD, and began teaching as an adjunct university professor.
Since then, (three years ago), I have long hair, my strength and energy are back, I am working a crazy schedule, and (knock on wood) there is no sign of a recurrence. My health and energy are great.
Moral of the story: It can be awful news and still come out ok.
Good luck!
B.L. answers from Provo on December 07, 2009
Well, all I can say is that YOU NEED TO JUST DO IT!!! Let me explain. On Nov 8, I had this massive pain and large lump in my breast. I went to the ER on the 9th. They said I had an 8 cm "mass". Saw a surgeon the next day, she tried to drain it, it wouldn't drain. Had surgery to remove the "mass" on the 11th. The mass contained infection, staph, and they got it out. However, in the process of doing the pathology, they found cancer cells. Now I am only 33 and there is no other way necessarily that I would have found this out. I had an MRI and mammogram on the 23rd, another two biopsies the 24th, with another mammo of the the infected breast. I then had surgery on December 2nd, a mastectomy, because they had found more invasive cancer. While the mammo was not the most pleasant procedure in the world, it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I will admit it saved my life. I will tell you too, I shared my story, with everyone, and everyone prayed, for me, for my family. That has helped me to get through much of this. I am not done, I have to find out what chemo and such I will be doing, but prayer, it's a big help too. Good luck and best wishes and God bless, B.
M.G. answers from Colorado Springs on December 07, 2009
It is great that your PCP is sending you for a mammo/ultrasound. Most would tell you not to worry and send you away for a year. (not a good practice).
Most lumps are not cancerous. I dont' know exact percentages, but majority are cycsts.
If it is cancerous, please feel free to email me. I am a 2 year cancer survivor. :)
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