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Abnormal mass on mammogram and ultrasound; awaiting biopsy results

Posted by taleshia1983 @taleshia1983, Nov 6 2:12pm

I'm a 42 year old Nurse and mom of 3. I did my 1st mammogram last year and it revealed I had heterogeneously dense breast and may obscure small masses. No call back so I assumed everything was fine. I had my 2nd mammogram done this year and they called back for a ultrasound of my right breast. I immediately start freaking out. My appointment with my PCP and my ultrasound was the same day. I spoke with PCP and asked exactly what did the report say and all I heard in the moment was small mass. I immediately was scared. I arrived for my ultrasound and ask them to print the report from the mammogram and went to the back to get my ultrasound done. After it was completed I had to wait there for the results. I was expecting a quick in and out. Not me. She told me that they would like for me to go for an biopsy that was scheduled 4 weeks out. My anxiety would not allow me to wait that long. I called the next day and got my biopsy moved 2 weeks up. My PCP posted my ultrasound results the next day too. The findings was a 1.2 cm oval hypoechoic solid mass with antiparallel orientation that increased in size from last year mammogram. I like to research as a Nurse so I dissected the entire report and it made my anxiety worse. I finally had the biopsy done 2 days ago and while they was doing a ultrasound they found a enlarged lymph node that they biopsy also. I left there crying all the way home. It takes 7 days for my results what I was told by the doctor. I would love to hear more stories and words of encouragement.

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Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Nov 6 9:24pm

Hello @taleshia1983, I always try to remember to not get ahead of the testing. You might get results early, it frequently happens that way.
I have done this enough personally to be very familiar with the anxiety it generates.
My best advice is to stay as busy as you can with things that keep your brain a little busy too, and of course BREATHE. I take a deep breath and then blow it out forcefully trying to blow out the stress.
Do you have other risk factors aside from dense breasts that are worrying you? Any family history?

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taleshia1983 | @taleshia1983 | Nov 7 4:17am
In reply to @auntieoakley "Hello @taleshia1983, I always try to remember to not get ahead of the testing. You might..." + (show)
Profile picture for Chris, Volunteer Mentor @auntieoakley

Hello @taleshia1983, I always try to remember to not get ahead of the testing. You might get results early, it frequently happens that way.
I have done this enough personally to be very familiar with the anxiety it generates.
My best advice is to stay as busy as you can with things that keep your brain a little busy too, and of course BREATHE. I take a deep breath and then blow it out forcefully trying to blow out the stress.
Do you have other risk factors aside from dense breasts that are worrying you? Any family history?

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@auntieoakley no family history but I been having symptoms for several months. I work alot as a nurse but I have been very fatigue like more than normal and other symptoms also. I guess I just need to be patient.

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lifetraveler | @lifetraveler | Nov 7 8:24am

@taleshia1983:

I am so sorry and saddened upon reading your post, my heart with prayers go out for you, your lovely children and your family because you've been through so much lately!

Life throws curve balls at us from time to time, isn't it?! We all feel your pain and sympathize with your anxiety, for we all experienced the anxiety during this early stage of diagnosis of BC. Sometimes someone else's experience may reduce our own anxiety. In my personal case, my PCP found that mass of BC during my annual physical exam right at her office and referred me to diagnostic Mammogram and Ultrasound. Due to the fact that I have category D of dense breast, my annual Mammogram that was done 9 months prior didn't show anything abnormal. So my PCP drew a picture that clearly identified where that mass was located in her referring document. I am very grateful to my wonderfully caring PCP for her walking extra miles with me. In fact, the diagnostic Mammogram still showed nothing abnormal, and the technician that performed the ultrasound told me that she couldn't see anything abnormal until she specifically focused on that exact spot that my PCP identified, then a MRI confirmed it later on. The gratitude in my heart provided me with peace of mind and calmed any anxiety in my heart, for I was grateful for my PCP catching this mass in time. I think that a "1.2 cm" oval hypoechoic mass is still considered as an early stage - even though I am not any expert. I am so glad that you were able to move your biopsy done 2 weeks up, so you are ahead at least 2 weeks! I know waiting is hard; however, you may get the biopsy result earlier than 7 days, as they often do. I pray that you gain peace of mind by realizing that you've done everything you could to take good care of yourself, please be patient with yourself and your care team, and keep your daily life as normal as possible. Surely you'll be fine by walking through this journey step by step with hope, peace and love from above.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Taleshia; you are not alone because you've found us and you have all of us behind you. Best wishes to you all on the journey ahead!

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taleshia1983 | @taleshia1983 | Nov 7 9:33am
In reply to @lifetraveler "@taleshia1983: I am so sorry and saddened upon reading your post, my heart with prayers go..." + (show)
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@taleshia1983:

I am so sorry and saddened upon reading your post, my heart with prayers go out for you, your lovely children and your family because you've been through so much lately!

Life throws curve balls at us from time to time, isn't it?! We all feel your pain and sympathize with your anxiety, for we all experienced the anxiety during this early stage of diagnosis of BC. Sometimes someone else's experience may reduce our own anxiety. In my personal case, my PCP found that mass of BC during my annual physical exam right at her office and referred me to diagnostic Mammogram and Ultrasound. Due to the fact that I have category D of dense breast, my annual Mammogram that was done 9 months prior didn't show anything abnormal. So my PCP drew a picture that clearly identified where that mass was located in her referring document. I am very grateful to my wonderfully caring PCP for her walking extra miles with me. In fact, the diagnostic Mammogram still showed nothing abnormal, and the technician that performed the ultrasound told me that she couldn't see anything abnormal until she specifically focused on that exact spot that my PCP identified, then a MRI confirmed it later on. The gratitude in my heart provided me with peace of mind and calmed any anxiety in my heart, for I was grateful for my PCP catching this mass in time. I think that a "1.2 cm" oval hypoechoic mass is still considered as an early stage - even though I am not any expert. I am so glad that you were able to move your biopsy done 2 weeks up, so you are ahead at least 2 weeks! I know waiting is hard; however, you may get the biopsy result earlier than 7 days, as they often do. I pray that you gain peace of mind by realizing that you've done everything you could to take good care of yourself, please be patient with yourself and your care team, and keep your daily life as normal as possible. Surely you'll be fine by walking through this journey step by step with hope, peace and love from above.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Taleshia; you are not alone because you've found us and you have all of us behind you. Best wishes to you all on the journey ahead!

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@lifetraveler you have totally blessed my soul. Thank you so much🙏

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ksue3 | @ksue3 | Nov 8 2:47pm

Taleshia, I am so glad you found this site. It is filled with encouraging and life sharing people. I had a similar experience in that some "calcifications" showed up the year prior to an actual mass detected on annual mam, Dec. 2023. I am also a nurse, retired for a long time and am now 85. I had an ultrasound that same day and was told they needed a biopsy to determine the diagnosis. Somehow, I just knew. I waited about 3 or so weeks to get the biopsy. It is a time of waiting at each step and anxiety can overtake us. I cried my tears too. It is a release of tension and stress. I also like the deep breathing. That is a proven aid in stress reduction. It helped me so much to confide in a close friend who had gone through all of this herself. I agree that staying busy, occupying your mind is a great suggestion. Try to stay in the moment and not do future thinking. That is hard though isn't it, especially for we nurses. The testing and your wonderful PCP will walk you through any further steps that they find necessary. If you are a woman of faith, ask for prayer support. It is important to put words to feelings, on this site, to friends, a pastor, etc. Remember that you are not alone.

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taleshia1983 | @taleshia1983 | Nov 8 3:35pm
In reply to @ksue3 "Taleshia, I am so glad you found this site. It is filled with encouraging and life..." + (show)
Profile picture for ksue3 @ksue3

Taleshia, I am so glad you found this site. It is filled with encouraging and life sharing people. I had a similar experience in that some "calcifications" showed up the year prior to an actual mass detected on annual mam, Dec. 2023. I am also a nurse, retired for a long time and am now 85. I had an ultrasound that same day and was told they needed a biopsy to determine the diagnosis. Somehow, I just knew. I waited about 3 or so weeks to get the biopsy. It is a time of waiting at each step and anxiety can overtake us. I cried my tears too. It is a release of tension and stress. I also like the deep breathing. That is a proven aid in stress reduction. It helped me so much to confide in a close friend who had gone through all of this herself. I agree that staying busy, occupying your mind is a great suggestion. Try to stay in the moment and not do future thinking. That is hard though isn't it, especially for we nurses. The testing and your wonderful PCP will walk you through any further steps that they find necessary. If you are a woman of faith, ask for prayer support. It is important to put words to feelings, on this site, to friends, a pastor, etc. Remember that you are not alone.

Jump to this post

@ksue3 thank you for those kind words and understanding what I am going through. Prayer really does go a long way. I will take your advice and try to stay busy and relax to keep my mind at ease. Continue to pray for me🙏

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myoga | @myoga | Nov 13 11:20am

@taleshia1983
Did you get the result yet? I hope it is a good one. Whatever it is you are in good hands here. Medical field has advanced so much that breast cancer can be treated successfully. I’m a brca2 carrier, yet I’m still here after three years. My sis is 8 year survivor and my aunt is 11 year. If you have questions/concerns, this is a good place to be. You are among sisters who have been through it and will help you through. They certainly gave me an incredible support that no one else could because of their experience. Remember BC is a bump on your road and you will get through it. Come here to vent if you feel like. We are here for you just to comfort and encourage you. No judgment. Hugs.

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