Needle biopsy

I had a mamagram last month and was called back for a retake on the right breast. Yesterday they did the retake and then an ultrasound. The radiologist came in to speak to me and told me that there was something there and that it had grown in the past month and told me I needed a needle biopsy. I called the gyno office and they said the doc would not be in today and that they find a surgeon who would accept my insurance and that I would probably have the biopsy done next week or so. Then I made arrangements to pick up my films this Friday so I can have them to bring to the surgeon . I am 61 and I was wondering this is normal procedure. I live in DeLand in central Florida which is not rural, but not cosmopolitan. Thanks for any input. I may be back with more questions.

Deb,

Thanks for the response. I am not too worried. I had a b9 tyroid nodule removed in 1983. The 1st. doctor told me that if I didn't let him operate or if I even went to another doc I would be dead in a year. Needless to say, I found someone else who was actually a human being. I have some real good things going for me. Previous b9 growth, no family history and oddly, I don't feel sorry for myself. I have told my family that I don't want to hear "It's not fair" Or "Why you" I have lost many friends to cancer and it wasn't fair to any of them and not one of them would be my choice to die from this disease. I just look at this as a part of life and I want to take things one step at a time.

The only problem is that my 81 year old mother lives with us and she is and always has been a difficult individual. But if she starts to cause too much trouble in my home, I will call the Dept of the Elderly and ask for placement in an assisted living facility.

I also have a 40 year old son who is mentally ill and lives at home. He is handling this well and he knows that we expect him to take - his meds and that this is not a time for acting out, which he rarely does. Most of the acting out is on Mom's part

My husband and I try to be generous and understanding, but we are both ready to put this situation in the forefront of our lives until it is resolved.

I really appreciate your input. Like I said, I didn't know about MRI s. But is a needle biopsy the most accurate outside of surgical biopsy? If it is, that is what I want and I want it asap. Thanks again for the feedback,
Linda

Thanks MK,
My Husband and I are making plans for an assisted living facilty. Not only is it stressful having a such a difficult person in my home, but in Fl I am her legal caretaker, which means I am responsible for supervising her all her medications, making sure she follow the diet the doc has her on, getting her to doctor appointments, filling prescriptions, keeping in touch with the case worker. Both the doctor and the case worker have suggested placement in an assisted living facility, but she is on Medicaid and has no money, so she will not be able to go anywhere she wants, just what the state will pay for.
My husband and I are going to start looking at some of these today.

As far as having the growth removed, I am trying to stay in the present and today's thing is getting a surgeon to do the needle biopsy. But in the back of my mind I agree with you. Better out than in. It's just so hard to stay in the present. Fortunately, my family situation gives me enough issues to deal with on a daily basis.

I have also told my son and my husband they have to learn to cook and shop. They are both already goos at cleaning and doing the wash. And I told them that no body was born knowing how to cook and that they can do it.

The doctors office just called. I meet the surgeon next Wed afternoon and I have been told that he schedules everything very quickly. The nurse who called said she had the same sort of thing and had a core biopsy. But that the surgeon does what he thinks is best. Since my growth has grown over the past month, I would like it out. But time will tell.

In the mean time I have also decided to redecorate my bedroom. Right now it is gold and beige with chocolate colored sheets. I'm going for the Hamptons beach look with blues, yellows, sand and mint green. I've already ordered new curtains and I am crocheting a afghan in mint green and yellow with touches ob blue.

We all need something bright in our lives.
Thank you for your response. I really appreciate being able to vent outside of the family. Take care Linda

I think your idea to redo your bedroom is wonderful. It will pick up your spirits and God knows we all need that.

I know you pretty much have to do what your doctor is going to do, but you can express your feelings and with a nudge in the proper direction the doctor can change his mind. Just be sure to let your feelings be known, a needle biopsy could mean that you would still have to have the lumpectomy. You have your mother and son to deal with and going twice may be more of a problem than for most people.

I hope you can find a nice place for your mother. Mine is in a very nice place, but she has enough money that will take care of her. At nearly 94 I can't imagine that she would live another ten years. Altho, you never know, she is in good health just getting more and more senile. I am 1300 miles from her and my brother and sister in law are near by. I call her every day, that is my job. They take her on weekends at least 50% of the time. As I mentioned before she is much nicer now.

Yes we all worry about our daughters and grand daughters. I have four of them and now two great grand daughters. My son's two girls also have a maternal grandmother who had breast cancer when she was in her 40's but she has not had a recurrance and she is nearly 90. My daughter in law was the last in a family of six. I have not heard that any of the girls in that family has been diagnosed.

My daughter is doing fine. She is very independent and tough, does not want anyone to fuss over her. We know she won't live to a ripe old age, but if she takes care of herself and stays with the doctor she should do ok for awhile. You just have to respect her wishes and let her live her life. I let her know I am willing to do anything I can. She has an older daughter who is cleaning house for her and trying to help in many ways, which she accepts. I encourage Erica to help her and slip her some money now and then to help since I am unable to help her physically.

It is good you like to crochet, I knitted like crazy for awhile, but then I discovered books again. After years of working and little time to read, I am now trying to make up for it. Losing myself in mindless little family oriented romance situations keeps me happy. LOL.

Stay with us and vent all you want. That is one of the things we understand and accept. You need to blow steam and get it off your chest. You would be surprised how many of us have difficult mothers, too. LOL.

Hugs MK (Mary K.)

Good for your surgeon. The general surgeon who worked with my plastic surgeon on me did not have a fancy office, but he is known as one of the best in Fort Worth. Another time I went to a doctor that Social Security sent me to and his office really was frightful. He had no help, so I was glad my husband was with me. He answered his own phone while examining me and talked in Spanish. I really wanted out of there! Then I found out he didn't even know what he was supposed to be examining for SS.

I would be very angry about the "suspicious" notations on the report. Who all saw that report? Why did no one tell you what it said? That is why I often advise people to get copies of their reports. I have found out that even drs and nurses read what they want to. I went for a CT scan because a colonoscopy showed I had a flattened spot in my intestine. When I called for the report all anyone wanted to talk about was my one big gallstone. It wasn't until that flattened area showed up as a huge red spot on the outside, obviously an abscess, that anyone bothered to read the whole report that did indeed show there was a sac that looked like it had fluid in it. By the way my gallstone is still in place nearly ten years later and it is still causing comotion. I keep telling everyone when it bothers me I will have it removed but not until then. My little abscess turned into a huge infection and I don't want anyone opening me up just to remove a gallstone that may never cause a problem.

Hugs MK