Had my other mammo---could use some good vibes - Page 3

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

I had a questionable result on a standard mammogram. So I got a call back for a repeat mammogram on a more specialized machine that takes better images in dense breast tissue. I got a call back again to get further looks at something that showed up. I did get answers.

It was reported to be an intraductal papilloma and I met with a breast surgeon. She advised that growths of this type are benign and not dangerous in themselves, but she suggested removing it surgically to prevent any danger of it growing or changing in some way down the road. What was easy to remove and harmless now was worth getting rid of timely. Basically, it presented no danger but it didn't belong in there and it might develop into something more complicated.

I had outpatient surgery soon after and easily recovered with very few hassles. I live alone and I was in my mid 60's at the time. Except for the day I had to be taken to the hospital and returned home, I was completely independent in terms of caring for myself.

Yes, it was benign, the incision was made at the edge of the areola, so the small scar was eventually completely invisible.

You can certainly believe that God is in charge, but you should understand God is in charge of the outcome. You are in charge of you! Get a mindset that wasted worry is a negative stress in your body, and thinking with fear and worry is futile. Don't distract yourself like you're a toddler being coaxed not to go near the hot stove. Try instead reinforcing your own resilience and positivity and ability to make good decisions and feel in charge of your life. Make deliberate focus on reasonable thinking of how much you've faced in life that has turned out well, how much responsibility for yourself and others you have already accomplished successfully, how much of life you can't control but doesn't really harm you.

Thinking that TV and crossword puzzles, etc, will chase your anxiety and lurking helplessness is unrealistic--only my opinion. You want peace of mind and courage. So that comes with looking at success and competence you've already observed in yourself. Prayer works for a mental timeout. And positive thinking and an appreciation for your ability to roll with life's punches and face what you must is how you handle waiting for the next step.

Horrible lows of misery and anxiety followed by highs of relief and release from tension are rollercoaster techniques to handle life from crisis to crisis. Teaching yourself to believe in your ability to manage the easy and the difficult things that life serves you means you maintain an even strain. It may not be in your nature, but you can teach yourself not to succumb to challenges with internal drama. Practice looking at what you've already taken on and handled You are full of more great stuff than you think. The right stuff. Find it and hold it in your head.

Best of luck. Sending vibes of confidence and calm to you.

itsmagic · ‎08-08-2011

@KKJ wrote:
They said I will be having a stereotactic biopsy. Does anyone know why this is done as opposed to the regular biopsy?

I’m not sure why but I know they have a picture of your breast tissue (like a mammogram picture) on a computer screen to help them guide the needle to the exact spot to take the biopsy. Maybe they use it for suspicious spots that are deeper rather ones that are closer to the surface? Just speculating.

Linmo · ‎12-16-2013

@KKJ wrote:
They said I will be having a stereotactic biopsy. Does anyone know why this is done as opposed to the regular biopsy?

@KKJ A stereotactic biopsy is more targeted and less invasive than a regular surgical biopsy. The worrying is usually worse than the actual procedure itself. Best wishes for a positive outcome!

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

So sorry there is more worry. Just ask all the questions you need to and hang tight.

Just for me, needle biopsy doesn't hurt much. That part will be OK. I'm due two more shortly and fixating how to treat myself. That works too.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

First, the odds of a benign dresult are in your favor. The biopsy sounds scarier than it is. After the biopsy I had a lumpectomy to remove the suspicious mass which was benign. The surgery was done in a clinic setting and was a easy recovery.

Shopchickie3 · ‎05-30-2010

I always have to get an ultrasound as well as the mammo. Think positive - at least it sounds like there is early detection if anything is there-they just are checking to be safe for you- think happy thoughts and it sounds like you are on top of things. Regards, Shopchickie from CT.

KKJ · ‎03-11-2010

Thanks for all your input. It's not the procedure itself that worries me but that it may not be benign that has me freaking out.

pattypeep · ‎06-06-2011

@KKJ I had many biopsies done since the 70's and all were benign. Then, one day, it wasn't. As a breast cancer survivor (19 years ago), I beg you to please not worry. Technology has come so far and if it's caught early, you will fully recover. I continued to work through my radiation and chemo treatment. God bless and may your tests come back negative.

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea-Robert A. Heinlein

Pearlee · ‎06-11-2011

@KKJ. I'm not at all saying this is what is going on in your case but I'm throwing this thought out there just as something else to think about and perhaps lessen your worry as you wait.

A couple of weeks ago I read a post here from @Lipstick Diva who perhaps will bump it for you. She was also in a worrisome medical situation for something. They recommended she undergo tests and procedures that she hadn't had to in past even though she had checkups for it in the past (sorry can't remember now the details of what it was). Anyway as I read her post the cynic in me thought: "Boy they are making her go through all that THIS time. I wonder if it is because the medical profession needs to make back some of the money it lost when all those doctors offices had to close down due to COVID."
What I mean is, I wonder if doctors are now exercising "an abundance of caution" to be on the safe side, i.e. more than they usually would, by ordering more tests and procedures and thereby more income in the profession even if the income is not going directly to those particular doctors. The health group they are affiliated with could have ordered, errrr I mean, recommended it to the doctors. As I say, it is just something to ponder. Good luck.