On ultrasound only, a mass is apparent in my left breast.

As some of you may have read, I had bc in my right breast in 1998, with excisional biopsy alone, showing both DCIS and LCIS.

For the last 3 months, my left breast has felt odd.  I insisted on an ultrasound.  The image of the suspicious area, unfortunately looks like a bat -- as in eeee eeee eeee.  (The humor an attempt to quell fear).  However, as we all know, that sort of irregularity is not considered a walk in the park.

I am to have core biopsies taken on the 29th of March.  The radiologist has given the bat a BIRAD 4.  Again, nothing whatsoever appeared on the mammogram.  Nothing appeared on the routine US or mammogram done in October.

I wish someone was going to examine my whole body prior to the biopsies, as generally, things feel 'off'...perhaps do some blood work -- do an MRI prior to the biopsy to see if the MRI, which I know is not the best breast imaging process, but could well show that other areas of the breast are affected -- hence, I would, at this point in time, opt for more than core biopsies.

I am told that an MRI would be ordered after the core biopsy if needed, and THEN more surgery(ies) would be scheduled.  I don't know how to feel about this, and hope for many comments.  'Batman signal' humor is also welcome.  (I do not have a primary care physician, and am, once, again, self-referring, and it stinks).

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Healthcareguerilla,  There is a grading system for classifying ultrasound findings that parallels the BIRAD scale used in interpreting mammograms.  A rating of 4 would be suspicious looking abnormality of which a biopsy should be considered.  Whether or not an MRI would add helpful information needed in determining the next step of action would need to be taken in context of the individual situation (evaluation of the ultrasound, physical examination etc.).

[healthcareguerilla]

Thank you for your comments.

Would that someone WOULD correlate all the information in order to make the best judgment. I'll keep pressing for that, of course.

I have refused having the titanium biopsy marker placed, and will continue to reverify that so that I am not presented with that question again at the time of the biopsy.  There is enough in my breast without adding titanium.  (Wondering if they place titanium in the case of prostate cancer...).

The technology and thorough exams should darn well show the site of the 'bat' and core biopsies.

My sense is that with my history, and the way I feel, the breast is best removed, and I never expected to say that.

[Ann22]

I am wishing the best for you and hope everything is OK for you on Wednesday.  Stay strong and keep asking for tests you feel you should be getting.

[healthcareguerilla]

Thank you for your good wishes.  Since my post, I have had a complete turnaround about this 'bat' in my breast.

I decided to see what I could learn about the symbolism of a a 'bat', and the first article I found addressed the bat as rebirth, and as a symbol which is part of shamanism, and part of that path.

Intuitively, I know that, for me, this is confirmation that I am well on my way to being a healer.

I located a curandero and went there yesterday. Funny story.  I had to go back to the shop where he works today to take him a painting I made for him, but we were not having a consultation.  The gentleman who owns the shop acted as translator for what I did not understand.

Out of the blue, the curandero starts describing what I can do to get my hair to grow.  It took me at least 30 minutes to stop panicking, as I took it to mean that chemo was in my future, which, in and of itself, is not likely, as I am not certain I would go that route.

So.  Here I am standing there, having delivered the most magnificent of paintings -- it really is magnificent -- I paint intuitively - and I am overcome with fear.  I'm standing there thinking, I should not be feeling this fear here, in this shop, with this man.

Here's the thing.  My hair is very short.  I like it that way and cut it myself -- quite well, thank you -- here's the joke -- the curandero thought my short hair was due to illness, not choice.  He was undboutedly aghast that a woman would choose to have such short hair.

What is bothersome is that for that period of time I abandoned my own strength and power, and everything I knew.  That lead to my wondering how much I have invested in there being something amiss in my breast.  Not that I would want cancer, and we certainly don't bring.  But, I thought to myself, if there is nothing wrong, how will you feel and why.  I'm working on that now.  Interesting.

One moral to this story -- never, ever turn your power over to another person.  We are our own best 'authority' figures, and we shouldn't forget that for one second.  And so it goes...

[healthcareguerilla]

My 'bat' changed shape since last week.  No core-type biopsies were deemed necessary.  An aspiration of what is now thought to be a cyst was done instead.  God is good.  Many 'other' intangibles came together for this day.  Cytology reports are expected to be clear.

Knowing.  Faith.  Love.  Openness to change. And a guerilla attitude.

[Ann22]

I am so happy to hear that......keep that guerilla attitude!

[PUMPKIN/BOOBOO]

HI,
I'M NEW TO THE SITE. I HAVE BEEN READING HERE FOR A FEW DAYS AND I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT MY SITUATION. I HAD MY FIRST MAMMOGRAM ON THE 20TH OF APRIL, I WAS ASKED TO GO BACK FOR ADDITIONAL FILMS AND PERHAPS A ULTRASOUND. I HAD BOTH ON THE 26TH. THE RADIOLIGST GAVE ME A BIRAD4 RATING AND TOLD ME THAT I NEED A BIOPSY. MY OBGYN SENT ME TO A BREAST CARE SPECIALIST THE NEXT WEEK AND I AMD HAVING THE PROCEDURE DONE ON THE 17TH OF MAY. THE DOCTOR WAS REALLY NICE AND VERY COMFORTING. THE SIZE OF THE AREA THEY ARE LOOKING AT IS 8MM AND IT IS IN MY LEFT BREAST. I AM 43 YRS OLD. I HAD RAI IN OCTOBER OF 2001 TO TREAT GRAVES DISEASE, NO HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER IN MY FAMILY AND NO HISTORY OF THYROID DISEASE EITHER. I FELL LIKE I AM THE UNLUCKY ONE. I'M NOT SCARED JUST CONFUSED. WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE RATE OF PEOPLE RATED BIRAD 4 HAVE CANCER?? AND IS THERE A LINK TO GRAVE'S DISEASE/RAI TREATMENT AND BREAST CANCER? IF SO PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION OR A WEBSITE.

THANKS FOR BEING THERE WITH ALL THE KNOWLEDGE
PUMPKIN/BOOBOO
THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO