lauraw4321 Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) Update- The ultrasound revealed a lot of cysts, but I didn’t have to get any biopsies. I’m grateful for that. Next up? Liver ultrasound. I’ll be 40 soon. The day after Christmas I started to really think about next year and decided I had to get a handle on my health. My few nights a week drinking habit became every night. And one became two and sometimes 3. I gained weight. I stopped drinking (and have stuck to it except for the day of the attempted coup). I switched up to a whole food, plant based diet. I’ve lost 9 pounds. I also went to get a physical. It showed my liver enzymes were messed up. My cholesterol was high. And he reminded me to go get another mammogram. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 42. I’ve had one mammogram and I was supposed to keep having them every year. But I just...didn’t. So I got the mammogram. And they called because I have some strange spots that are hopefully cysts. I have to have an ultrasound and, from how she described it, almost certainly biopsies. Then I get to have an abdominal ultrasound to see what’s going on with my liver. (Oddly, the numbers indicate it isn’t from drinking). I just feel overwhelmed and scared. Can you share some stories of any similar health issues turn out ok? TIA. Edited January 23, 2021 by lauraw4321 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 I don’t know how high your cholesterol is but diet changes did help my dad and my relatives who have marginally high cholesterol. My dad is a hepatitis B carrier and that can cause liver complications. He didn’t know he was a carrier until we were all screened for hepatitis B. Hopefully your medical issues are all easily resolved and nothing serious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcrook Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) I so sorry that you are overwhelmed and scared. I highly recommend breastcancer.org to women who are facing more breast images or biopsy. There is an active forum, including a sections for women who are not diagnosed, but concerned. You can post your questions there, and very wise, experienced women will answer them. You may find it helpful to know that the majority of women who are called back for further imaging are then told that everything is fine. Mammograms can't get a clear image of everything, so sometimes further imaging is needed. If your spots are cysts, the ultrasound should reveal that. Even if you are asked to return for a biopsy, know that the majority of breast biopsies are benign. Radiologists will recommend a biopsy for any spot that is more than 2% suspicious for cancer. Waiting for tests and results can be so stressful. I recommend that you take walks, watch funny shows or movies, and enjoy the people you love. You have permission to spoil yourself during this process. Dr. Google is not your friend right now. Once again I recommend breastcancer.org for any questions you have. Besides the community, the have an extensive collection of doctor approved articles that you can search. I wish you the best! Edited January 21, 2021 by ddcrook spelling 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) I’ve had multiple breast biopsies. The worst part is waiting for results. If they are simple cysts, they will show up as solid black on ultrasound. It’s good that you are getting the ultrasound. And none of mine have been cancer. I did have to have a large tumor removed when I was 40. The biopsy came back benign, but that particular type of tumor had a “high association w malignancy”, so my breast surgeon said, “you don’t want to leave that in there.” But yeah...I have trouble maker boobs. I’ve had at least 3 different types of tumors, cysts drained, etc. Just remember that the VAST majority of breast biopsies come back benign. Edited January 21, 2021 by popmom 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) Also, don’t be afraid to get a second opinion!! I was able to avoid a second lumpectomy several years ago by getting a second opinion from a different pathology group. Interestingly, my first lumpectomy/reconstruction was also the result of getting a second opinion. The radiologist who did my biopsy sent me to a general surgeon. She did not want to take the entire tumor because she would be taking “half my breast” in her words. I got some recommendations and found a surgeon who only does breasts. She is an onco-plastic surgery specialist. She’s the one who said—you don’t want to leave that in there. Now I prefer to do everything though my breast surgeon. She gets gets my mammograms, she does my biopsies, etc. eta: I agree that Google is not your friend right now, but if you do go through the biopsy process, make sure you get a copy of the pathology report. I did google the types of tumors I had. That turned out to be super important as that’s what prompted me to get second opinions. I was able to self advocate w my breast surgeon, and she agreed with me that the pathogist’s recommendation warranted a second opinion. Edited January 21, 2021 by popmom 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraw4321 Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 Thanks everyone. I’d never heard of breastcancer.org. I’ll definitely check it out. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) I had a lump in my breast and a biopsy. The biopsy was inconclusive, so I had the lump removed. Benign. No further problems over the following decades. Tiny scar. FWIW I reduced my cholesterol with a whole food diet, limited animal products and lots of oats - oatmeal for breakfast and oatmilk in tea. I increased my exercise too. Edited January 21, 2021 by Laura Corin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraw4321 Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 Just bumping as a thanks for those CCD who responded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popmom Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 So glad to hear the update! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Glad for the good news! I've had multiple cysts, mammograms, and MRI's throughout my life, and fortunately it's all ended up okay so far. But, I'm glad I have good doctors who help me stay on top of yearly testing, etc. My mother had breast cancer (both breasts!) at age 42 as well, and her mother had it in her 50's. It definitely runs in the family! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ditto Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Whew, glad the ultrasound was negative and no biopsies are needed. That is an excellent start. I am hoping the liver ultrasound is also negative. It just completely stinks that this is how you are starting off your 40s. I am thinking about you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ddcrook Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 Yay! That's wonderful news! I look forward to hearing that your liver ultrasound is also clear. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 good news! As for the liver, non alcoholic fatty liver disease is pretty common, maybe it is something simple like that. Diet can reverse that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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