I received a letter from the radiology dept that did my mammogram that I need to see my doctor right away about the results of my mammogram. The radiologist apparently wanted more view done but the soonest they have is over a month away. My mother and her mother both had breast cancer and now I'm terrified that I do too. Both were long term survivors and I know many others who have beat breast cancer, but I also knew one young mother who lost her life to breast cancer at an early age. I have three children, two with autism and two still in school. They are already so worried about me because of the constant anxiety and depression, how could I possibly tell them I have breast cancer? And how do I endure the wait to the second mammogram and possible biopsy?? This was surely not what I needed right now.

Please pray for peace, a quick answer, and NO breast cancer.

Thank you so much
Angela

I just prayed for no cancer.I hope all turns out well.Take a deep breath and do something for you today.GOD-bless

We're here for you. Sending out all things good to you. Breathe. Of course, you're scared - anyone would be. Just breathe and breathe again and post and know we're here for you. Kathleent

Oh Alinam. Can you try and take some comfort in knowing that with mammo, it can be caught early? Perhaps earlier too than your mom and grandmom. They are erring on the side of caution with you hon. I will pray for you Alinam.

Sincerely,
Suzanne

I pray that it is nothing serious. If it turns out to be, I pray it will have been caught early and you too will be a long term cancer survivor. In any event, lets hope it is nothing serious. Prayers for you.

Keeping you close in mind and close in heart. It will work out fine......have faith. xx

I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost 5 years ago. I know that the waiting was the absolute worst,, I did not know how I was going to survive the waiting. I know what your going through.. did the raidologist at least give you a copy of the report.. what kind of follow up test does he want to do ?

((((((((((alinam))))))))))) I'm sorry you're going through this. I can't imagine how I would feel. I do know that I would call my doctor and see if they could get me in much sooner that 1 month. That's a bit ridiculous. I will be praying for you.

I went to my doctor (or rather her nurse practitioner) this afternoon and even they didn't have a copy of the report, so I had to send them a copy. My friends here at the hospital think that the report just means they didn't shoot the mammogram right and it needs to be done again--I'm cliniging to that hope. The NP is going to schedule me someplace where I can get it done sooner--I really like that lady!

Wish me luck, and keep praying
Angela

What does the wording on the radiologist report say ?

Sending good thoughts to you!!

You will be in m thoughts and prayers. Think positive

Sending good thoughts your way. Try to stay positive, the hard part is the waiting to see the doctor.

First it called in an "architectural distortion" of the upper outer left breast, then it called in a "focal assymetry", if I'm spelling that right. I hope I can get the mammogram redone and the results soon so that I can go back to freaking out about nothing.

Alinam,

I will also be praying for you and for a very good outcome.


Blessings,
Deb

Just wanted to say that I was called back for an abnormal mammogram in April. After a week of hand wringing, I had a second diagnostic mammogram which was fine. They said that they had just taken the first film at an odd angle which had changed the appearance from my earlier one.

Of course if you have a family history, they will be taking an extra close look at your mammograms. I did read that only one in ten call backs turns up something that needs to be biopsied. And while I was very very stressed, I did tell myself that I would rather find something tiny than wait until it was a bigger problem. I will be thinking of you as I know it is horrible waiting and not knowing.

Im glad that you will be able to get it done sooner !!

are you taking any HRT ?

was there any mention of calcifications ?

Keep us posted.

Thanks.

are you taking any HRT ?

I was on a low dose birth control but I think I had quit taking them about a week before because the one I was on just didn't seem to agree with me. I keep thinking to check if I was still taking them at the time, but I'm a very forgetful blonde lady.

was there any mention of calcifications ? No mention of calcifications. I have the feeling that what the report meant was that the mammogram wasn't done properly, but I would have been nice to get a call saying that and telling me I just needed to come in and have it done again. The way the letter was worded, "call your primary doctor as soon as possible to discuss the results" made me frantic. It's just not good practice for a mammogram center and I may just tell them so--after I get the repeat mammo and ultrasound at a different center.

Thats a stock letter ,, one I also got after my abnormal mamo .. My best friend is Head Mamographer at a womens breast imaging center here. She is top drawer .. I asked her what your mamogram might mean based on what you told me was in your report. here is what she said, I hope this helps.

"This is a common term used when we compare Right to Left or Year to Year. This occurs from simple things such as the overlap of breast tissue during the exam,changes in the improvement of equipment such as digital, breast tissue changes during menopause, weight gain or lose and irregularities from previous surgeries. The exam is not usually indicative of the fact that any underlying disease exists. If she is having regular mammograms it can just be a subtle finding. Some archetural distortion can be associated with breast cancer again only 10% at biopsy. No calcifications were mentioned with the distortion which is good, if calcifications were mentioned with the distortion then the chances of BR-CA is greater more like 60 %. However if she is having routine mammography the finding would be minimal if it were to be cancer & odds are that it is associated with benign changes.
Usually if we see calcifications (most commonly Fibrocystic. Benign) on an exam 10% of those will be Breast cancer. When we see a mass 10% of those will be a cancer (most commonly a fibroadenoma, Benign seen best on US)"

Thank you so much. I love having such a wonderful group of people who will jump to support and reassure eachother!!

This was actually my first mammogram in 7 years (I do have fibrocystic breast, so they did a "baseline".) But when I went to have the mammogram done here at the hospital, they asked me to go to the other hospital and get copies of my previous films for comparison. I've been such a basket case (plus I work full time), I just never got my little behiney over there to get them. This time, I'll get the disks from this mammogram and take them back to the other center. That way they'll have three sets to compare.

Boy do I wish I could function like a regular human being. : ( I wonder what a regular human being is like?

I know how you feel.. I was carrying films from one place to another,, when the one hospital lost my films I was Furious .. so I ended up going where I go now.. they have digital wich is just amazing and it doesnt hurt that my BFF is the head mamographer there ,, after she takes my pictures she lets me come over and look at them.. I have an area now they are keeping an eye on,, she thinks its just necrotizing fat from a previous surgery. I try not to freak out now .. the technology is so good now.

Boy, do I wish I had that kind of connection. I figured when the tech went back to look at the films and said I was done, they checked to see if they needed to take any more. At least that's what she said. That's why I was so freaked out when I got the letter saying I needed to see my doctor as soon as possible.

So now I have an appointment for a new mammogram and ultrasound next week and an appointment with a new doctor the following week. Maybe then I'll be able to breathe again.

I'm so glad you are getting in again next week! I think didgens has done a great job in giving you information to explain away at least some of your fears. Truly, MOST lumps (abnormalities) in the breast are benign so please try to remember this during your wait until the next appt. Even with your family history, I would try to focus on the fact that this was a "stock letter" and there is in all liklihood NOTHING wrong. Take some good deep cleansing breaths and know that we are all out here praying for a good outcome for you. (((((((((((alinam)))))))))))))
xoxo
Jan

Angela:

I am so terribly sorry that you are dealing with this. I know it is so hard to wait to find out what is going on but you are strong. You can do this!!!

I will keep you in my prayers.
Big hugs to you,
Jeaninne

Dear 'alinam'
The stress of not knowing is always the most difficult.
Doctors always-if they are competent-err on the side of caution so hopefully all will be well.
I am praying for you.

Please let us know when you get your results.

God Bless
Elizabeth

WTG Diggens, so awesome that you had someone that could help ease her mind abit.

I just wish doctors and facilities would realize the stress they put their patients under by not explaining things, I mean that just stinks to get a LETTER, regardless of any result you would think that the radioligist would leave it up to the doctor to contact the patient, and ensure that the doctor had the report.

I am sure you will be fine sweetie, but good gosh what a horrible, horrible scare.... Sending you love and prayers...

I'm on the lookout for a new doctor. Apparently, my doctor did get the report, but instead of calling me right away, she sent me another letter saying the mammogram was abnormal. There was a note that she wrote by hand asking if I had had a follow up mammogram and if not to call the office!! I need a doctor who will actually pick up the phone and TALK TO ME rather than sending another letter in the mail!

I guess I checked the box at my doctors office that says "ok to leave a message" ,, dumb dumb dumb .. we were on vacation 2 years ago and I come back on a saturday to a message on my machine saying "my pap results were abnormal so could I come in for a redo",, I was freaked out all weekend because I couldnt get ahold of my doctor.. as it turned out ,, I had had my pap done just at the end of a period so they saw some cells they werent expecting ..I was a little pissed.. I am going to change to "Do NOT leave a message ,, " I want to talk to someone personally !

Amen to that! I'm tired of calling my doctor's office with a question for my doctor, only to get the nurse who says I have to make an appointment and come in. Sometimes I just don't have the copay and they won't bill it anymore. They refer me to the urgent care. I hate our healthcare system!!

WebMd is pretty good for questions ,, I have posted there a couple times .. saves on Dr.'s bills.