New here, architectural distorotion, scared

Posted by laurakwalker1980 @laurakwalker1980, 4 days ago

Hi all. I am new here. This is my first time posting a question. A couple weeks ago I had a follow up mammo, due to some cystic changes they wanted to monitor. Well, they apparently found a "new" place. They mentioned architectural distortion and a BI-RADS 4, noting that a biopsy was recommended. I was scheduled 2 1/2 hours away from my home to a Comprehensive Breast Center in about 6 weeks. When they called to set up the appointment, they said they would be doing their own mammo and ultrasound, and if they feel a biopsy is needed, they will do it that same day. The report says there is a "1 cm irregular shaped high density mass with irregular margins and architectural distortion. Further evaluation with stereotactic guided core needle biopsy recommended". I have had several people tell me not to worry, while others sound very concerned. I am so worried and I hate having to wait so long for the follow up. Can someone give me so guidance? What questions should I be asking? Also, the report says my breasts are "extremely dense". Please, any advice , input would be greatly appreciated! Anyone have similar findings - what was your outcome? I'm about to turn 45 in 33 days. I have 5 children and my first grandbaby is due September 20. I'm so scared. My husband is not exactly being dismissive, but I've had cysts in the past and he will only allow himself to believe its only a cyst and no need to worry. If he only knew how it feels.

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Hello @laurakwalker1980 this is the scariest time, in my opinion. The waiting for more testing and then waiting for results from said testing are anxiety inducing at best. I believe this to be true in any major medical issue, but I am a 21 years survivor of breast cancer.
I could tell you to try and distract yourself, but I find that isn’t very effective for me. I do hack my own brain by saying I can only worry for 30 minutes in the morning. Then if I start to worry about it, I can tell myself “nope you have to push that worry to the worry time. This allows me to focus a bit better knowing I can think about it later.
Try to breathe and wait for the information. You might be very happy with the results. If you do get bad news we will be here to help talk you off the ledge.
As for the husband, my husband could not even think I had anything wrong because he couldn’t face the thought of losing me. It wasn’t until he got cancer that he really understood how scary that was for me.
I know that none of this will make it less scary while you wait for all the information, but maybe it can give you some space for peace.💕
Have you had any biopsies in the past?

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@auntieoakley

Hello @laurakwalker1980 this is the scariest time, in my opinion. The waiting for more testing and then waiting for results from said testing are anxiety inducing at best. I believe this to be true in any major medical issue, but I am a 21 years survivor of breast cancer.
I could tell you to try and distract yourself, but I find that isn’t very effective for me. I do hack my own brain by saying I can only worry for 30 minutes in the morning. Then if I start to worry about it, I can tell myself “nope you have to push that worry to the worry time. This allows me to focus a bit better knowing I can think about it later.
Try to breathe and wait for the information. You might be very happy with the results. If you do get bad news we will be here to help talk you off the ledge.
As for the husband, my husband could not even think I had anything wrong because he couldn’t face the thought of losing me. It wasn’t until he got cancer that he really understood how scary that was for me.
I know that none of this will make it less scary while you wait for all the information, but maybe it can give you some space for peace.💕
Have you had any biopsies in the past?

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Thank you for your reply. It means a lot to me.

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Hi Laura,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. That's hard to deal with. My husband had lung cancer and I know how hard it is to wait for results. The one thing that helped us besides eating healthy was prayer. We both prayed everyday and asked God to keep my husband healthy. It made us feel better and my husband lived 14 years with lung cancer. He died a year ago. Just take all your concerns and give them over to God. He will be there for you. Talk to him like he's your best friend and he is! After all, God made you so he can fix you. I'll say a prayer for you also.
I wish you the best.
PML

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Hi Laura, my story somewhat similar to yours.
I am 70. My entire life my mammogram always showed dense breasts and microcalcifications. I always had to have a follow up breast ultrasound, both breasts and all would be fine.
In December 2023, this situation was repeated. No breast worries.
December 2024 - my annual mammogram. Again, bilateral sonogram done. Called back for a MRI. The radiologist informed me of a new "architectural distortion". In fact, my breasts had several areas of "concern" in both breasts and 4 biopsies advised. I also had to wait...my 4 biopsies were done on February 6th. On Feb. 12th, my 70th birthday, I got a call from the breast center physician informing me I had breast cancer. What???
2 areas of in-situ plus 1 area of invasive cancer, plus 2 areas of "atypical ductal hyperplasia" (abnormal cells ready to turn cancerous). Surgery certainly indicated. I went for a 2nd opinion to a top rated cancer center...made some tough (but necessary choices) & had a bilateral mastectomy May 12th. Final pathology report indicated I had invasive cancer in both breasts. Out of 12 lymph nodes tested, one was positive. Oncotype tumor testing done and revealed a low score (good news), chemo would not be indicated for me. And since I had the bilateral mastectomy, no radiation either. Which was a concern as I have heart disease also and radiation can scar the heart (like a heart attack) and the lungs. I opted for no implants. I didn't need potentially more problems down the road plus at my age...if younger "maybe".
First, don't worry about the wait...6 weeks is not bad, but try to get on a waiting list for an earlier appointment.
Look at my timeline. Pay no attention to your husband. Everyone has their own coping mechanism in this situation. Mine did. And I did too! I was in denial right up to the point being wheeled in the OR room. I was commenting on the OR table being so comfortable with heated blankets and a nice pillow! This denial helped me coped right from the get go being told I had cancer, the biopsies and the wait for surgery. My journey was December to the May surgery. I have no regrets at all. Post surgery I am now on Anastrozole daily and must take for 5 years to prevent reoccurrence. Lots of side effects with this "aromatase inhibitor" but between a rock and a hard place. I will give it my best shot. I am still in denial, but only somewhat...absolutely no cancer in both sides of my family at all! Post recovery is no walk in the park, but certainly doable.
It's so easy to say don't be afraid but of course we all are when faced when the possibility of breast cancer.
Yes, the waiting is the worse part. Knowledge is power. Do all you can now to try to educate yourself. I had a nurse advocate in the beginning who was a terrific help. Make notes...I even made a binder up, my paperwork was like a book. I wrote everything down. I am a retired RN and I felt I was helping "my patient" and I was the patient! As you wait for your biopsies, reach out to your beast cancer center. They will have tons of literature you can read. During your 6 weeks wait, IF you do have breast cancer, the cells won't multiple fast...so it's not like "things" are going to get "so much worse". Put your stress into positive steps. Exercise, meditation, prayers, social connections, being in nature, music...whatever will help quiet your mind.
One step at a time. Live it. That's all anyone can do anyway. You WILL get through this.
You will discover courage you thought you never had!
You are in my prayers, please keep us updated. You are new here...but you will surely have lots of support. You'll see!
Hang tight, keep the faith.

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Waiting is truly a hard thing to do. Even now, a year since my last chemo, I seem to find something to worry about regarding my breast cancer journey.Distraction works pretty well for me. I am pretty active and involved where I live and am a widow. It is in the evening when activities are all over that I find my mind going to breast cancer and I start the "what if's". I turn on the TV to something calm like a Hallmark movie and work a jigsaw puzzle at the same time. I become totally engrossed in that puzzle. I have worked literally hundreds and still have a closet full of more to do. Just before I go to sleep, I read a book. I find it useful to write down the things I worry about or have to accomplish on paper. Gets them out of your mind. I hope you will find your answers soon and know that you aren't alone on your journey. There is a giant club of women who are on similar paths. Nobody can understand like someone else on a similar path.

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