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Getting A Biopsy Done; tomorrow
Topic Started: Oct 18 2007, 01:15 AM (582 Views)
Key
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s e m p i t e r n a l
Or at least I'm supposed to. They keep tossing me around to different divisions of the hospital and bringing me back that it's driving me crazy. >___<

The story is that about 2 months ago, I discovered a hard lump in my breast, completely by chance (I don't do the monthly breast examination). I got a mammogram done on my breasts, even though I'm fairly young (they usually don't let 22-year-olds get mammograms done since breast tissue is so dense that the films don't come out clear--and it hurts like hell), and then an ultrasound. The radiologist said he thought it was a mass of fat and said that he couldn't feel the lump, even after he'd palpated my breast. He said he didn't see cause for worry and that I should come back in 3 months time for another ultrasound.

I wasn't ok with that undetailed answer and saw another doctor a month later (or 2 weeks ago), taking my mammogram films and ultrasound results to the hospital. The doctor there felt it and said she thought it might be a fibroadenoma or a lipoma, although lipomas are usually soft (since they're fat). She suggested I get a biopsy done on it, which I'm supposed to get done tomorrow. Of course, I was thinking I'd be getting a biopsy THERE but apparently it was late and their success rate isn't high (erm, HELLO USC Hospital??) so I have to go to the general hospital in a different complex to get that done.

Now I'm a nervous wreck. My breasts feel all tender (I'm still about a week and a half away from getting my period) and the area with the lump hurts the most. I can't help thinking the worst, that it's breast cancer and it's spread all over the place and I'm gonna have a year to live or something equally terrible. I also have tachycardia and my heart beasts at 108bpm instead of the normal ~88 for seemingly NO REASON. Now nothing happens for no reason and even though my chest X-ray came out clear, it feels like the docs just brushed me aside saying "Well, your X-ray and blood test came out fine, so you must be fine." I also feel this chest pressure and I don't know if the constant chest pressure and constant rapid heart rate are stress related, hormone-related, or related to the lump I have in my breast. It's quite a maddening feeling not knowing what's wrong with you.

I've also become somewhat of an internet hypochondriac in the last year and that makes me feel worse. I can't stop self-diagnosing myself with every terrible disease and disorder out there. The biopsy results will still take a month (er... so they say) to be given to my doctor to deliver to me, and the wait is going to drive me to insanity. Now I'm worried they're gonna start pancaking me around again telling me I need another ultrasound before I get a biopsy, etc. If they do, I'm going to have to throw a fit and insist they biopsy the damn thing before I end up in a mental institution from the stress of it all. Surely, if I'm not sick now, all the worrying and stressing out will make me sick in the future...
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Tifa Lockheart
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Sawboybuck's Lover
I can't blame you for feeling that way. I was diagnosed with a brain abscess 9 years ago and I couldn't help but freak out too. Up to now I still feel that I'll experience a relapse everytime I experience migraines.

Although this is really much easier said than done, find something to preoccupy your thoughts aside from worrying about your condition. One way or another, it can help you forget about the issue.

Or... you can talk to a counselor or a therapist so your feelings about the matter can be correctly addressed especially if you think that it's going to eventually driving you crazy. :( Paranoia can't be avoided but it can be controlled with the right measures. If you feel that you cannot reassure yourself, go talk to someone like an expert... or look for another doctor.
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Coral
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I can only second what Tifa said, she's right.

It's normal to feel scary and afraid, in your place I would be petrified. It could happen to every girl here.
But don't scary yourself too much, at least try to do things you like and enjoy. You can't avoid the fear and pain but you can take care of you in the most pleasant way :) eating candies, taking a bubble bath, shopping expensive clothes, reading your favourite book, running like a kid, enjoying sun's rays, cooking...everything you want!


You're not alone, don't worry! We'll do our best to help you :)
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Inuyatta
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Cloud/Aerith Realist
Try not to panic--to me, it sounds a bit like a swollen lymph node. =o

*hugs*

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nyrin
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Water tribe what!
I'll echo what everyone has already said - don't worry too much. It may be nothing. Just focus on the positive and don't stress yourself out because stressing yourself won't do anything - in fact it may even be worse since stress often has a negative effect on your immune system. Just stay happy, have fun, try not to think about it and if you do, stay POSITIVE :D
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Key
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s e m p i t e r n a l
You guys are <33. xDD I got my biopsy done today (the doctor had to take FOUR samples with the needle and the last one was especially unpleasant) and if she would guess that the tests will either come out nondiagnostic (in which case I would need to do a ultrasound-guided biopsy on the lump) or benign (fibroadenoma maybe?). I'm desperately praying it turns out to be benign because at this point, I can't stand going to the hospital for tests anymore.

Now I can't help looking at every young woman's breasts and thinking to myself "I hope you're doing your monthly self breast examination!" ^^;
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Lynn
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Lynn has no Lloud smut ;-;
*sends good thought waves your way* I can't imagine the stress you must've felt, but it sounds like you're doing a bit better now. :hug: For however much it works, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for your results!

Quote:
 
Now I can't help looking at every young woman's breasts and thinking to myself "I hope you're doing your monthly self breast examination!" ^^;

Urk, I have no idea how to do that. I've taken a look at some diagrams but I never know what to look for...
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Anti-R
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the girl who becomes a prince
Hang in there, Key. :hug:

As said by everyone, don't think on it too much because it will cause unnecessary worry and stress and sleep deprivation. Wait for the results, and hope for the best.

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Tifa Lockheart
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Quote:
 
I'm desperately praying it turns out to be benign because at this point, I can't stand going to the hospital for tests anymore.


I'll be praying for you too. :huggle:

Quote:
 
Now I can't help looking at every young woman's breasts and thinking to myself "I hope you're doing your monthly self breast examination!" ^^;


However, your post made me more concerned about them so I guess I'll be getting a physical checkup soon. The last time I had one was 2 years ago. :sweat:
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Key
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Tifa Lockheart
Oct 19 2007, 10:19 AM
However, your post made me more concerned about them so I guess I'll be getting a physical checkup soon. The last time I had one was 2 years ago. :sweat:

Please do. ^^ Every young woman over the age of 20 should get a clinical breast examination once a year.

Sigh, I'm trying to relax but I'm afraid I've become even more of a nervous wreck than ever. I can't stop touching my breasts and this one "hard lump" near my sternum on the right breast area (could be a prominent rib bone--whatever it is, it's a part of my bone) and my brain keeps screaming "You have breast cancer and it's metastasized to your bones!" Even the pain in my right side that I get sometimes has my brain in warp-speed thinkage mode like "I also have liver cancer and kidney cancer" and all that.

I dread the phone call from the hospital telling me my biopsy came back and there's something wrong. I dread everything to do with this damn lump. I know I should be positive, but it's really tough and I'm really scared. You guys are a doll though, thanks. :)

I hope nobody here (or anybody else) ever has to go through something this taxing, frightening, and stressful.
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Coral
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Thank you :huggle: but unfortunately I guess it won't be the case! *Ooooh Coral is sooo positive lol* we'll all have to deal with something in the future more or less annoying...at least in our old days.

It must be tough for you to imagine something may be wrong in some parts of your body when you don't know anything about it.

I think you deserve to be sure about your health. Being dependent and incertain of your own body is too hard to handle with. That's why biopsy and all these tests are for. It's about prevention.

Easy to say but...trust in yourself! :huggle: :huggle: :huggle:
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Inuyatta
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Key
Oct 20 2007, 01:32 AM
Tifa Lockheart
Oct 19 2007, 10:19 AM
However, your post made me more concerned about them so I guess I'll be getting a physical checkup soon. The last time I had one was 2 years ago.  :sweat:

Please do. ^^ Every young woman over the age of 20 should get a clinical breast examination once a year.

Sigh, I'm trying to relax but I'm afraid I've become even more of a nervous wreck than ever. I can't stop touching my breasts and this one "hard lump" near my sternum on the right breast area (could be a prominent rib bone--whatever it is, it's a part of my bone) and my brain keeps screaming "You have breast cancer and it's metastasized to your bones!" Even the pain in my right side that I get sometimes has my brain in warp-speed thinkage mode like "I also have liver cancer and kidney cancer" and all that.

I dread the phone call from the hospital telling me my biopsy came back and there's something wrong. I dread everything to do with this damn lump. I know I should be positive, but it's really tough and I'm really scared. You guys are a doll though, thanks. :)

I hope nobody here (or anybody else) ever has to go through something this taxing, frightening, and stressful.

You're getting closer to your cycle, right? ;)

Please try not to panic--the more I read your symptoms, the more it looks like lymph blockage and increased lymph production due to ovulation--both of which cause some pain in the sides (ovaries releasing the egg), swelling, and tenderness in the breasts (and sometimes even around your hips where the leg joins the torso X_X).

And yes, lymph and interstitial fluid can collect in pockets in various parts throughout your body, congeal and feel like bone. Definitely happens around the ribs, near the sternum, the lower back, generally in a lot of places you wouldn't even think possible. By all means, wait for the results--I'll be glad to look into things further for you if I can.
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