hi, this is great we are all here

((((((((((((Marina))))))))))) I had a call-back after a mammogram. Please don't sweat it, and keep in mind that the scans these days are now so hyper-sensitive that they pick up EVERYTHING. This is great, as far as early detection, but a lot of folks get drawn through a lot of unnecessary worry, waiting to get that second scan done because "something showed up" on the original one. I will keep you in prayer. So glad you found the new site! Hugs, Gaby

You are in my prayers, also, Marina. Just b/c there is a mass does not mean breast cancer.

Marina, You did what you could with the tools you had for your father. I feel God never punishes us for doing the best we could. Do you need to forgive yourself b/c YOU feel you did not do enough? The hardest person to forgive is ourselves for perceived shortcomings. I had a biopsy for calcifications on 12/12/12. I have the T-shirt "It happened on 12.12.12.". Everything came out negative. I did learn later that I did not need anything more than a core biopsy. I had a lumpectomy/partial mastectomy. Now that some of my lymph nodes are removed on my right, medical staff can no longer use that arm (the good one) for BP, drawing blood, or giving me an IV. Do ask if lymph nodes need to be removed or if you can "get away" with a core biopsy which is what I hope you are referring to when you mention a biopsy. Marina, you remain in my prayers. xoxoxoo

Marina, I have read Breast Cancer, Real Questions, Real Answers - a book in which a doctor lays it all out using the questions he has been asked over 20 yrs of bc oncology practice. Breast cancer does not happen overnight. It begins in adolescence when our mammary glands are forming. "Junk food" and other habits during our adolescence according to this dr is a major contributor to breast cancer. SHOULD you have b/c, it started a long time ago. I had a mass show up on my yearly mammo. After the follow-up, the surgeon recommended to me did a fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the cells, also considered a stereotatctic needle biopsy, in the his office. The pathology report came back as "atypical cells." The Mayo Clinic says, "Atypical cells appear abnormal, but they aren't necessarily cancerous." I agreed to a lumpectomy not knowing the full extent of the pathology report. The lump and 4 lymph nodes were removed from under my arm. The core biopsy was never done. Later when I was reading my FNA pathology report, I noticed the pathologist recommended "a core biopsy to get a better definition of the cells." In other words, I may not have needed the lumpectomy. I did not ask enough questions. (Yes, I have quit kicking myself.) In the end it was determined that the mass I had could have bee instigated by trauma, specifically a car accident I was in 2 yrs ago where the shoulder seat belt strap went right over the top of my breast and left a nasty bruise across the front of me. Marina, If I had to do this all over again, I would make sure I had a woman with me to ask questions that I may forget. Sometimes we are in a state of mind that the "dr knows what he is doing." Do you know a bc survivor who would be your advocate? Do you live near a hospital specializing in cancer? The hospital may have a network of volunteers who are bc survivors, one of whom could be your advocate w/the drs. I would go no further than the needle biopsy and be prepared to ask questions. If the cells come back as "atypical", I would have an oncologist surgeon (cancer dr) who works many bc cases take a look at the films, ultrasound(s), and the reports to get a second opinion before going under the knife. This is one time a 2nd opinion is valuable. One last item. Have you given birth to children and did you learn Lamaze breathing? The concentration and the deep breathing will help you through the needle biopsy even though the dr will give you a local. I complained after my FNA to the dr that he had deflated my boob! He is so used to being cussed out, my comment took him by surprise. Remember the Commitment of Caregiving that says "Do Not Lose Your Sense of Humor!" Love, Ming xoxoxo