Scared for next steps

Posted by bkfx2 @bkfx2, Jun 30 12:06pm

Hello. This emotional roller coaster I am on, along with web surfing has landed me here.
I have very dense breasts. Last year I chose to have an ultrasound completed. They found cluster of cysts and do focused imaging on every 6 months.
This month I had my annual mammogram, and the Radiologist found a focal grouping of calcifications with a BIRAD of 4 - suspicious.
I have my stereotactic biopsy this week. I am on an emotional roller coaster and I guess I am looking for something. What, I am not quite sure.
Maybe someone has had the same thing and can tell me that they have done well. I am scared and just want to breathe.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jun 30 3:44pm

Breathe! We’re all here, because we’re STILL all here!
You’ll get responses from others who’ve gone thru similar procedures.

For me, and my level of nervousness, if I was going to have a stereotactic biopsy I’d ask for something to relax me during the procedure and ask about asking something like Tylenol beforehand. I like to go in as prepared as possible to have a good outcome with as little inconvenience to me as possible.
I had a core needle biopsy. The radiologist told me the lidocaine (Novocain) used to numb the skin will sting for 20 seconds. I realized that was the same amount of time we’re supposed to wash our hands - and she and I laughed that I was going to sing the Happy Birthday song to get through the stinging stage. There was a sting, I didn’t sing, but the entire procedure was not painful.
Wishing you peace through this early time, keep us updated on how things are going!

bkfx2 | @bkfx2 | Jun 30 6:02pm

In reply to @triciaot "Breathe! We’re all here, because we’re STILL all here! You’ll get responses from others who’ve gone..." + (show)

Thank you

sally484 | @sally484 | Jul 2 9:18am

I have dense breasts also. At first I was getting mammograms, but now I get MRI's. I found a lump and it was diagnosed as stage 2 breast cancer. I went through chemo first then radiation and finally surgery. I've been on Exemestane for about 4 years now and am doing well. YOU CAN DO THIS!!! We are all here to help you. Keep me posted!!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 3 2:39pm

Hearing your have BI-RADS 4 and reading the word suspicious can send you for an emotional tail spin. I like the support and tips you've received from @sally484 and @triciaot.

You might also appreciate the information shared in these discussions:

- Help me understand: Architecture distortion with BI-RADS 4 https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/architecture-distortion-with-birads-4/

See all https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/breast-cancer/?search=Bi-RAD&index=discussions

@bkfx2, how are you doing?