Sonograms, Mammograms, Biopsies, Oh My!

The last couple weeks have been such a whirlwind I don't even know where to begin. I suppose I'll go with chronological order.

First up was an ovarian ultrasound with my OBGYN.  It was determined that my left ovary has a large cyst.  Rather, ovary IS a large cyst right now. My doctor is concerned but not worried. He wants to look at it again in 6 weeks to see what it's doing. Thankfully my CA-125 levels came back normal.  However, I do know that this cyst has been around at least 5-6 weeks because I remember feeling some pain in that area a month or so ago.  I don't quite know the connection between a cyst and ovarian cancer (didn't ask) but it's apparently cause for concern.  When they re-check in a few weeks, they will want it to have shrunk in size.  What happens next if it hasn't, I don't know.

I think "they" recommend most BRCA+ women have an oophorectomy between 35-40. My doctor encouraged me to "finish my family and then get them removed quickly." Sigh. So once again we are feeling the pressure to hurry up and make a decision, though honestly lately I'm feeling done.. Ever since I got my test results for some reason. I still just want to sit on it a while and make sure it's not a knee-jerk reaction.

Next up was my mammogram last Wednesday.  It wasn't bad at all.  My left side hurt a little bit, but not my right.  I'd describe it more as discomfort than pain.  The technician told me that I'd receive a call the next day if there was an issue, otherwise that meant that the mammogram was clear and I could move on.  Wouldn't you know, I got a call Thursday letting me know that they'd like me in for additional screening.  They wanted me in on Friday, but we had already left town to go to Oklahoma for the weekend so we scheduled for Monday.

That brings us to today.  I (thankfully) wasn't nervous all weekend, but as soon as I got in the waiting room my heart started racing.  I got really nervous waiting to be called back.  It was finally my turn and as I changed, I was so flustered that I locked my keys in my locker!  Haha. The ultrasound tech got started, and I could tell that things got serious pretty quickly.  I was watching the monitor and could see the growth come into view.  She started asking me about my breast cancer family history, my sister's BRCA status, my BRCA status, and the age my mom was when she got cancer.  I saw her start to draw measuring lines and circles around it on the screen.  She stopped pretty quickly and told me that she wanted the doctor to come take a look.  I knew that it wasn't a good sign - normally they'd just take pictures and have a doctor review them later.  So the doctor came in and started looking at it.  He told me he is hoping that it's a fibroadenoma (a benign fibrous cyst/tumor).  The sides of the growth are smooth which is characteristic of a fibroadenoma, but she shape of it is irregular, which is the cause of his concern.  He ordered a biopsy for me, and wanted it done as soon as possible.  I'm going in at 1:00 pm tomorrow.

They are going to do a needle biopsy and take 3-5 samples from the growth.  Then, they are going to inject a metal marker into the growth and do an in-depth diagnostic mammogram.  The results from the biopsy will take 3 days to come in.  (I am going to be a WRECK on Friday!)

At the same time my appointment was done, I saw another girl about my age come out with the same paperwork as me.  There were tears streaming down her face.  It does feel weird when you're there, being about 20 years younger than all the other women there.  I wish I had talked to her, but she had a friend with her and I didn't want to intrude.

Up to this point I still have felt an amazing amount of peace.  With this latest round of events though, it is definitely starting to erode.  It's all getting a little bit too real.  I'm still pretty devoid of emotion though, and I don't really know why.  Part of me would like to just let it all out - it can't be healthy to keep it bottled in.  It'll probably happen when I least expect it!

Jeff is taking a half day off work to come and be with me for the biopsy.  I am so thankful for him, he has been here with me every step of the way and has been nothing but supportive.

Your prayers are appreciated tomorrow and through the next few days as I wait for the results.  Pray that God will continue to give me peace and strength!