It seems like it's never my turn to vent... but after stewing all afternoon I'm still mad, so

[Anne in CA]

Why, why, why, why did they send me away from the mammogram place after they said nothing was wrong with me and I didn't even need to see the radiologist, and now I have to go do a breast biopsy??? They said I was fine. They said I could go. Now they call and call until I schedule a biopsy that I don't see why I needed if I wasn't fine??? Next week is very stressful for me already. DD got in some trouble and dealing with that makes me very sad. I don't think I'm sick and I would skip the biopsy, except that the only way to insure I get sick is to do something so dumb. ARGGHHH.

 

Vent over.

[Katy]

:grouphug:   My guess?  The initial review showed nothing obviously wrong, but when the doctor looked closer there was either a tiny shadow that seemed concerning (good, because it means if there is something going on it's in the earliest of stages), or there is a cyst of some sort, that is likely nothing, but they want a fluid sample just to make sure, for a baseline result.  Either way, better safe than sorry, and it sounds like you went to a very good clinic, no matter how inconvenient this seems at this time.  A biopsy or lumpectomy is always better than finding something later.

[Amy in NH]

A lot of them do call backs so they can bill for another visit/service. Do you feel lump? If not I'd be talking directly to the radiologist.

[Arcadia]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: hope your daughter's troubles are resolved swiftly. Would your husband be willing to call the mammogram place and be politely angry with them? I agree with Katy's guess but I would be tempted to swear so safer for my hubby to call and clarify.

[Carol in Cal.]

Sounds like it's probably nothing to me!  But drat it, you do need to make sure.  Very annoying.

 

((Anne))

 

PS Will pray for your DD.  I hope it's not too serious.  

[displace]

Hugs and prayers!

[creekland]

:grouphug: May it all turn out fine.  I've been really turned off from most of the medical world and its system, so I won't comment further.  But I can still offer  :grouphug: and hopes.

[jjeepa]

So sorry it's been difficult with your dd!  I do agree with pp - better to be safe than sorry and get that biopsy.  I hope both situations are resolved quickly!   :grouphug:

[Soror]

(hugs)

[JFSinIL]

I have never ever gotten any results right when I do any type of scan. The tech who does the scan is not allowed to do more than let you go knowing if there is a problem the doctor will have you called, after they make sure the scan is readable (if not, they take another before you dress). Here, unless it is an emergency situation, an actual radiologist or doctor is not going to read your scan right away. Back when we had our car crash, I was scanned every which way at the first place, but a few CAT scans did not get read until hours after I had been sent to a bigger hospital - and those scans never followed me or were sent for.

 

That said, better to get whatever looks suspicious checked out - either it is nothing, and life goes on, or if it is a Bad Thing, you are catching it early to take care of it. Good luck!

Edited August 27, 2016 by JFSinIL

[Onceuponatime]

Why, why, why, why did they send me away from the mammogram place after they said nothing was wrong with me and I didn't even need to see the radiologist, and now I have to go do a breast biopsy??? They said I was fine. They said I could go. Now they call and call until I schedule a biopsy that I don't see why I needed if I wasn't fine??? Next week is very stressful for me already. DD got in some trouble and dealing with that makes me very sad. I don't think I'm sick and I would skip the biopsy, except that the only way to insure I get sick is to do something so dumb. ARGGHHH.

 

Vent over.

Do you know if it was a 3-d mammogram? I got called back after my last one, but it was to do a 3-d scan and a breast ultrasound first. It was determined I had two clearly defined cysts and nothing more needed to be done. I would think that kind of thing would be done before a biopsy. Edited August 27, 2016 by Onceuponatime

[StaceyinLA]

I thought that when you left the actual mammogram they still had to have a radiologist look over the images. My thinking is if they sent you away saying it was fine, they may mean they got all the images they needed (not sure how they do things though where you are).

 

The only thing is, when I got called back, they did an ultrasound - it seems strange to go straight to a biopsy. I think I'd definitely make a call and see if there was something less invasive they could do first.

[Pawz4me]

I thought that when you left the actual mammogram they still had to have a radiologist look over the images. My thinking is if they sent you away saying it was fine, they may mean they got all the images they needed (not sure how they do things though where you are).

 

The only thing is, when I got called back, they did an ultrasound - it seems strange to go straight to a biopsy. I think I'd definitely make a call and see if there was something less invasive they could do first.

 

:iagree:

 

I'm confused, too -- For a routine screening mammogram if the technician tells you everything is fine that just means the images are clearly readable for a radiologist to (later) review them. To get a call to come back is very common and much more often than not it turns out to be nothing to worry about. But I don't think it's common to get a call back for a biopsy right off the bat -- usually it's for more imaging (a diagnostic mammogram) or an ultrasound. So I'm confused if this was a routine mammogram or already a follow up visit? Anyway, I hope it turns out well and that your DD's troubles are resolved.   :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[Cinder]

I have never ever gotten any results right when I do any type of scan. The tech who does the scan is not allowed to do more than let you go knowing if there is a problem the doctor will have you called, after they make sure the scan is readable (if not, they take another before you dress).

 

This is what a tech has told me as well--that she just looks it over to see if the image is clear. I have had to redo one because the the tech felt the image wasn't clear enough but it was immediately following the scan. I'm not sure when the radiologist reviews the images but if there isn't anything of concern the hospital where I have it done just sends a letter saying everything's clear. If I give them a doctor's order they also send the images to my gyn and she gives it a second look.

 

:grouphug:  

[Anne in CA]

A lot of them do call backs so they can bill for another visit/service. Do you feel lump? If not I'd be talking directly to the radiologist.

This is exactly what I think. I cannot feel a lump and while there is a suspicious looking on the mammogram the ultrasound showed nothing. I think they just wanted one more visit. But... I can't take the risk, so I have to go. And I hate feeling jerked around.

[Anne in CA]

Thank you for the sympathy. It's just a really bad week for this.

[Twigs]

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[magnificent_baby]

I have had many diagnostic mammo's for cysts and ultrasound biopsies. I've never had one followed by the other. It would be difficult on timing since different types of radiologists are needed. I am wondering if it was a miscommunication. A tech should never give you official results, though I've had them give their opinions, knowing it's not finalized. I am wondering if they meant they got all the images so you can go now. Usually mine take longer and the radiologist looks quickly to make sure they have all the angles they need, then he officially reads it at a later time. 

[kiwik]

In many cases by the time you feel a lump it is fairly late. I would agree the tech probably just meant the images were fine. They are not qualified to interpret the scans.

[Pegasus]

In many cases by the time you feel a lump it is fairly late. I would agree the tech probably just meant the images were fine. They are not qualified to interpret the scans.

 

Also, not all breast cancer develops in "lumps".  Be glad they are being diligent with follow up. I'm sorry for the extra stress and hope/expect you will receive benign results.

[Guest]

I'm so sorry. I had almost the exact thing happened. They told me it was fine, and that radiologist on staff did a review and I could go. See you in a year. The next day I got a call that "my" radiologist I had specifically requested (who was out the day of the mam) reviewed it and needed me to come back in for an ultrasound because there was "a big problem". Oh and please pay us $500 now over the phone before you will be allowed to have the scan. I was scared and pissed off all at the same time. i cried for the next 12 hours. It's truly really horrible customer service you're dealing with on top of it all- there should be no chance of misinterpretation of "you're good" if that's not what it means. You have every right to be pissed at the situation.

 

Sending prayers and hugs. When you complete your second visit don't be afraid to fill out that little comment card all the hospitals kills themselves over having filled out now. Be honest. Having worked at one- I assure you, They MATTER. Those cards are taken very seriously by every hospital I've even worked at.

 

I won't say try and don't think about it because that's impossible. But I do hope they get you scheduled quickly. Hugs again.

[Seasider]

In many cases by the time you feel a lump it is fairly late. I would agree the tech probably just meant the images were fine. They are not qualified to interpret the scans.

I have never been given an immediate mammogram reading, I've always had to wait for the radiologist read for an official report. I do think some places are trying to move to quicker results. But I agree that the tech probably just meant that the images weren't blurry.

 

Hugs to you. I know you feel inconvenienced but under the circumstances I imagine your nerves are a bit raw as well.

[Forget-Me-Not]

:grouphug:  Sorry

[Anne in CA]

Thanks for the support. I will do the biopsy tomorrow, I have no clue how long I will have to wait for results from that. I also have to deal with dd's trouble tomorrow and that bothers me more than anything. I thought about asking for advice about it, but I just don't want any record on the internet at all so I will just tough this one out. She has done many things so well, and yet made more poor choices than I could have believed.

[Starr]

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:  

[Pegasus]

Ask at the biopsy appointment when you will get the results. Usually it is within a day or two. Also ask if they will call you directly or send results to your primary doctor. That can delay when you are notified. I will be thinking about you.

[displace]

Praying for you and your family today . I hope things turn out well.

[Happy]

This is exactly what I think. I cannot feel a lump and while there is a suspicious looking on the mammogram the ultrasound showed nothing. I think they just wanted one more visit. But... I can't take the risk, so I have to go. And I hate feeling jerked around.

 

The cancer I had did not make a lump--there was a squishy mass of sorts. Even after we knew it was there, no doctor could find it by feeling.

 

I hope your biopsy is clear and all this is a waste of time, dollars, and energy. That's the best results I can imagine. :)

 

Without knowing anything about your daughter--hang in there. Young people do stupid things, but they can outgrow it. Let her face the consequences, but offer support in ways you can.

 

Hugs and prayers--