Just a few questions

[Lilwhitepaws]

Hello everyone.  I am 36 years old and have three suspicious masses in my left breast.  Like many of you I don’t have any previous mammograms for them to compare anything to so I will be having either a Stereotactic or Surgical biopsy done this Wednesday.

I spent some time reading through a lot of the posts here and read a lot about the unnerving wait for results.  Many of my family and friends are very concerned because of my “calm manner” during all of this.  Everyone keeps telling me that it is not normal for someone faced with such a dangerous and frightening disease to be so calm about it.   I am not in denial or counting on “this can’t happen to me” type of thing, I am just a very pessimistic person and have always considered the worse case scenarios when dealing with something serious to try to prepare myself.  I am not saying anyone can prepare for being diagnosed with cancer, but I feel like I will be okay, but no one seems to beleive me and they all think I am crazy for acting the way that I am.  So I guess I was wondering if the way I feel and the way I am dealing with this are abnormal?

I also would like to know how bad these procedures are going to be.  I am freaking out more about not being put out for the biopsy than I am about whether or not I have cancer.  I have had surgery quite a few times before while I was awake and I think it is the most horrifying thing that I have ever experienced and I am not at all looking forward to this.  I also have heard that when doing the Stereotactic biopsy they use a light numbing agent because too much can distort the masses, which in my mind means I'm going to be in pain during this procedure.  I have this horrifying image of being lightly numbed and having to deal with the pain of not just one but three biopsy in completely different location in my breast.  Of course I have even more concerns with the pain of a surgical biopsy.  Can any of you please tell me what I should expect with these procedures?  Please be honest because as I have said previously I like to prepare myself for whatever lies ahead or at least do my best to try to prepare.

Thanks in advance for your help and support =)

[kathy48]

Thanks for your message. Its great to know you are doing well! I'm going in for my first biopsy and am praying it'll be okay----I feel well, dont know if thats any indication as from what I'm reading most of the time you done feel anything.
Yes, the piano lessons are uplifting!
Thanks for all the tips---it helps tremendously just to be able to find some answers.

[Twocapes]

Everyone heals and feels pain differently.  I've had seven biopsies - some surgical and some needle biopsies.  I was able to go back to work the next day, in most cases, with the exception of some nausea when they wouldn't do local and insisted on putting me out.  I do have a sedentary job.  As to work outs - you'll have to check with your doctor but it sounds like you are in shape so will heal quickly.  Love the piano lesson idea and the sports bras are great - right after the biopsy I wore mine to bed (helped with support and rolling over).  My 8th biopsy was cancerous but that was just over four years ago and I'm doing great!!
Let us know.

[kathy48]

Now that makes me feel so much better!! I'm scheduled for a biopsy on March 7th. Have bought myself some sports bras---am quite cool and collected and am trying not to think about it. Carrying on with the gym--- dont know how long the soreness lasts and when one can get back to regular work outs----any idea? And have started taking piano lessons----anything to keep my mind off it!

[Twocapes]

Easier than a root canal!!!

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Irishgal2]

You will be numbed for the biopsy, so you wont feel any pain.  You will hear a noise of the samples being removed but that is all.  It is over before you know it.

As for how your are coping, well everyone is different, there is no right way or wrong way, we all coped differently.  I too was calm like you.  I kind of removed myself from the situation as if I was not the patient and project managed the whole process from diagnosis through all my treatment.  The doctors were surprised by me, but it was just my way of coping, staying focused and getting through my treatment.  Don't get me wrong, I had my good days and bad days but tried not to dwell too much on the fact that I had cancer.  You too will do just fine and tell your family and friends to follow your lead if that's what helps you.  I did not want anyone around me who treated me as the "friend with the cancer", I wanted everyone to treat me as before, and for the most part they did.

I was 39 when diagnoised last year, am finished all my treatments and have my first mammo since being diagnoised and all clear.  So stay focused and I'm sure you will get through this difficult time and be a survivor like so many wonderful women on this forum.

[Lilwhitepaws]

Thanks for your response and reasurrance that this isn't going to be too bad =) I am going in for my pre-surgery labs at 10 today and then Wednesday is the big day.  I hope it doesn't take too long to get the results but so far I haven't really been stressed too much about all the waiting.  Just stressed about the procedure.

[kathy48]

That is so reassuring to a lot of us I am sure. I too have to go in for a biopsy soon, I thinks its Stereotactic. Is that what you had? Did you get your results immediately? After three Cesareans I shouldn't be nervous---but I am! I'm 48 and I had my babies when I was a lot younger and braver.

[kathy48]

That is so reassuring to a lot of us I am sure. I too have to go in for a biopsy soon, I thinks its Stereotactic. Is that what you had? Did you get your results immediately? After three Cesareans I shouldn't be nervous---but I am! I'm 48 and I had my babies when I was a lot younger and braver.

[Cheryl828]

I had the biopsy over a week ago.  I was worried also - but it was a piece of cake.  It didn't hurt at all.  It only feels like a little pinch, so don't stress over that at all.  It was nothing.