vacuum assisted biopsy... the wait continues

**updated message further in the discussion for anyone who may end up with something similar and want to follow a full 'story'***

Hi all.

I went back to the breast clinic today after waiting a week following scans, mammograms and biopsies last week.

Today the doctor has said its still a 'grey area' (same thing he said last week) and they can't tell if its something bad or not from the pathology results of the last biopsies. He says there are cell changes, but it's not clear what.

So now I have to go back for 2 more biopsies next week, this time vacuum assisted biopsies, and over 2 separate appointments, one Monday morning and one Wednesday. It'll then be waiting again after that for results.

It's been such an awful limbo waiting for this appointment today, and now I feel like I'm back in limboland again!

I'm feeling quite calm about though (if not slightly dreading the biopsies, the last ones weren't great and these ones I'm assuming will be a bit worse, and spread out over 2 days!).

If anyone has had a vacuum assisted biopsy and can tell me how it was it'd be lovely to hear your stories (even if they aren't great!).

I hope anyone else waiting is doing OK xxx

 

  • Hi! Unfortunately I have no experience of vacuum assisted biopsies but what I would say that if I was you, I would be feeling very confident that they are doing an extremely thorough analysis of the tissue. They clearly want to make sure that they are giving you the right info so are covering all bases.

    I know the wait is horrible though. I have an appointment today for biopsy results and I am really nervous! Sending you a huge hug. Try and keep busy. Next week will soon be here and you'll have answers soon enough xxx

  • I am definitely keeping in mind how lucky I am they are checking properly. He did say he is doing this as he doesn't want to put me through surgery unnecessarily, and he's hoping these biopsies will give clear results and also possibly remove any 'problem areas' at the same time. So fingers crossed.

    Good luck with your appointment today, I hope you get good news, do let us know xx

  • Daisy_B

    So sorry to hear that your testing journey continues, I'd hoped yesterday would bring positive news for you!

    Hopefully someone will reply who has experience of Vacuum assisted biopsy as I'm afraid I don't. But it does sound as though they're doing everything they can to eliminate the chances of cancerous cells.

    I got a phonecall from my consultant yesterday and sadly she has confirmed that I do have cancer, but it's apparently the most treatable kind, so remaining positive!

    Best of luck with the ensuing week, the waiting is really the worst bit!!

     

  • Hi Leprev, I'm sorry to hear your news, I know it was what you were expecting but it still would have been nice had they been wrong! I hope you had someone with you or you were expecting the call, a phone call is not the best way to receive such big news.

    I'm glad to hear its the best type for being treatable, I know breast cancer treatment is so good nowadays and although scary there are loads of positives when it comes to treatment, they know how to deal with it.

    I hope whatever comes next for you is well managed and you are coping OK. Thanks for the update, thinking of you xxx

  • Hi Daisy_B

    i just wanted to check in to see how your core biopsy went? I hope you got the negative results you were all hoping for.

    x

  • Hi Leprev,

    I'm still waiting, my results appointment is this Thursday 25th in the afternoon, so not long left to wait.

    The core biopsies weren't great (first was fine, second one they hit a vessel so it bled a bit and I felt fairly rubbish) also the second one hasn't healed/is infected so I've been on antibiotics and I'm back to the GP tomorrow to check the dressing and see if it's cleared up! So that's a faff.

    At least I'll know by the end of the week one way or another what all this has been about. I'll let you know how I get on.

    How are you doing? I hope you are coping OK xx

  • I have had my results appointment today and I have been diagnosed with DCIS. I know it could be much worse, and I am lucky they've found it, but I think I'm still a bit numb its anything at all! 

    There's an MDT meeting next week and then I have an appointment to discuss surgery options. It's 5.5cm so from the literature they gave me I'm preparing for a mastectomy and lymph node removal, but my other option may be a flap procedure and radiotherapy.

    So we'll see. I am not sure whether I feel so numb because at least the waiting is over, or whether it's just not hit home yet.

    Reading all of the literature, even re-reading back through this post I've written, I feel quite detached, like it's about someone else! 

     

  • Hi [@Daisy_B]‍ I'm just catching up with everyone whose stories I've been following. I'm so sorry about your unpleasant biopsies and subsequent diagnosis. It sucks, doesn't it? I don't feel numb like you (I got confirmation of my BC on 9 August) but I do feel a bit detached. I'm calm (although I'm struggling to get to sleep tonight) and feel really well, getting a good walk in every day to try to get a bit fitter and lose some weight. I hope your next appointment goes well and you are ok until then. Always here if you need to offload. Amy xx

  • [@Daisy_B]‍ i am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but as you said yourself very treatable and preventative so I've got everything crossed for you that your consultation goes as well as it can and you can start to wrap your head around everything. At least the wait is over. I hope you've got a lot of support around you, even though the waiting is done there's a lot to think about. Big hugs to you xxx