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Catherine C. - 24 Feb 2004 18:48 GMT

Hi All...I'm updating as I promised I would...my family doctor called
yesterday...he'd received the radiologist's report and radiologist had
recommended either an "excisional biopsy" or a "core biopsy"...I have
an app't *tomorrow* afternoon with the surgeon...family doc told me
that he himself favors the "excisional biopsy"...because even if the
core sample is benign, one can never be 100% sure that the remaining
non-biopsied part is benign also (although in all likelihood it
is)...I didn't expect to get an app't with a surgeon so quickly and
must admit that things seem to be moving too fast and I just wish it
would all just go away...

One bit of positive news is that the radiologist mentioned in his
report that the "nodular involvement" that he had mentioned last week
had not changed over many past mammograms...I was relieved to know
this...

I know that I have no control over the results of the biopsy (which I
hope I don't have too wait too long to have) so am working on
remaining positive and distracting myself from dwelling on things too
much...

Best to all,
Catherine

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Michelle - 26 Feb 2004 03:44 GMT

Catherine,

I was reading your posts.

I just want back for additional views today and the radiologist once me to
come back in 6 months for a diagnostic evaluation and ultrasound if
necessary. Is this normal? I am 36 and my mother was diagnosed with breast
cancer when she was 50. Six months seems so far away though. Is 6 months
the typical time frame?

They don't seem to be overly concerned but do want to monitor it a little
closer.

I will keep you and your sister in my prayers.

> Hi All...I'm updating as I promised I would...my family doctor called
> yesterday...he'd received the radiologist's report and radiologist had
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> Best to all,
> Catherine

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Catherine C. - 26 Feb 2004 08:30 GMT

> Catherine,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> I will keep you and your sister in my prayers.

Thanks Michelle. I'm not absolutely sure but I think it's normal. I
saw the surgeon today. He mentioned, as did the radiologist, that
normally they would have me return in 6 months for another look to see
if anything had changed from the area of calcification that is now
showing on the mamogram and ultrasound. However, due to my family
history, he agreed that they'd do a biopsy now. Both my mother and my
sister were diagnosed when postmenopausal. I believe, from what I've
read and what others have told me, that cancer diagnosed in
postmenopausal women is usually less aggressive than that which is
diagnosed in premenopausal women.

The surgeon said the earliest my biopsy could be done would be in
approx. one month...we have a trip planned to Mexico right at that
time and the surgeon said putting it off by one week would be no
problem as "usually one waits 6 months to be re-evaluated"...so yes, I
think it's normal...my biopsy is now scheduled for April 7th. The
surgeon seems to think that at best it will be benign and at worst
"pre-cancerous"...will keep you posted!

Thanks for your prayers...

Catherine C.

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Tim Jackson - 26 Feb 2004 08:42 GMT

> Catherine,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> I will keep you and your sister in my prayers.

Michelle, six month follow-up is a standard routine for mammogram etc. that
looks harmless but is not conclusively clear. It implies that there is
nothing immediately threatening visible, but there are features of which the
radiologist need to see the rate of change (or not) in order to be
confident.

Tim Jackson

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