The tech who did the targeted ultrasound on my left breast today said as I was leaving that I got the “best possible outcome,” a benign finding, and I concur!
As I shared in my post last night, my focus was elsewhere yesterday, when I got an email with the results of my routine/annual mammogram and ultrasound on Friday, and thus was somewhat surprised to be shifting gears in preparation for today’s follow up.
I am grateful that due to a cancellation they were able to get me in this morning, so I only had one restless night of sleep as I waited and anticipated the results. It was also huge that there was a doctor in the office, who was able to review today’s imaging while I waited, and thus I got to return home with definitive answers this time.
I was fairly optimistic going into my appointment this morning, especially because the size of the mass in question was so small. However, having already lived through breast scares in early 2016 and last summer (2019), along with everything we experienced on our journey through secondary infertility and loss, I’ve learned not to take anything for granted or put too much weight in odds. When you’ve fallen into the less than 1% chance category more than once in your life good odds don’t always seem nearly as comforting.
After they checked me in this morning, I waited for about 20 minutes in the socially distant waiting room, set up for patients to be spaced out safely, while wearing masks. There were two other women who arrived close to the time I did and started chatting, as we waited. It turned out they were both breast cancer survivors, one 6 years out and the other 15. It was interesting to listen as they compared notes/their experiences. I tried to find hope in knowing that if my results today weren’t benign that I was amongst those who have been there and still managed to make it through.
When it was my turn, a tech came and got me. Because of the pandemic, as with on Friday, she bypassed the changing and waiting area (where patients typically get into the pink gowns for imaging) and took me directly to the room where I’d have my ultrasound to change and get ready. The tech gave me a few minutes to change and then started the targeted ultrasound of my left breast. It took her awhile to find what she was looking for at “1 o’clock,” as being so small (about 0.3 cm) the tech shared that it is usually not discernable via ultrasound. I tried to remain calm and patient as the tech searched and ultimately she was able to get some good images of the mass.
The wait from the time the tech leaves the room to review the results with the doctor and her/their return is always an anxious time for me, however today it didn’t take very long. The tech returned, without the doctor, to share the mass was amongst a group of small benign cysts and they wanted to be sure this one was too, which it appeared to be! Yay!
This is the wording in the “Study Result” that I received via email/the Patient Portal later this morning:
Impression
ULTRASOUND BENIGN
There is no sonographic evidence of malignancy at the targeted site.
The multiple various size oval subcentimeter cysts in the left breast are consistent with simple cysts and complicated cysts and are benign. They are more numerous than appreciated on ABUS (automated breast ultrasound).
A 1 year mammogram is recommended.
ULTRASOUND BI-RADS: 2 BENIGN
With that I am feeling a sense of relief, knowing I likely won’t have to be concerned about my breast health again until this time next year. Though of course I’ll keep an eye on them, doing self exams.
I also plan to touch base with the surgeon (Dr. K) who removed my benign phyllodes tumor in March 2016, as I realized recently that I never followed up with her after my post-surgical appointment that spring. At my annual OB/GYN appointment this summer, the doctor I saw suggested I contact Dr. K after I have my annual breast imaging appointment, which I intend to do.
Thank you so much for your care, concern, kind words, thoughts and prayers as I navigated another little breast health scare.
Sending peace, love comfort and hope your way from Chicago.
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