Monday, February 25, 2019
2/25/19: Letter with Mammogram Results
I received a letter in the mail informing me that my diagnostic mammogram "shows no evidence of cancer."
Friday, February 22, 2019
2/21/19: My PCP Called Me
The Breast Imaging location sent the radiologist's report directly to my PCP. My PCP called my cell phone, but since I'm not actually a big cell phone user, I missed the call, and she left a message.
She reiterated the radiologist's finding regarding the sebaceous cyst, and repeated the recommendation for using a warm compress. She noted that the radiologist suggested a 3-month follow-up ultrasound, but then suggested that I could ask for a 1-month follow-up, if I wanted. She also said she would put in a referral for me to see the Breast Center.
I decided my PCP was erring on the side of caution with the 1-month follow-up and the Breast Center referral. I chose to stick with the radiologist's 3-month follow-up recommendation. Regarding the Breast Center, I actually had some questions: Where is this Breast Center? What kind of specialist would I be seeing? Again, I figured I would trust the radiologist's opinion, and not follow up with the Breast Center just yet.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
2/21/19: Mammogram and Ultrasound - It's a Sebaceous Cyst
At the Breast Imaging location, I needed to fill out all the same paperwork that is required for routine mammograms.
The diagnostic mammogram was pretty much the same as a routine mammogram - my breast was firmly squeezed while I stood in various awkward positions! - except they only looked at my right breast with the lump. I'm writing this months later, so my memory is a little foggy, but I think they also put a little sticker on the lump, like a marker to show where it is.
I returned to the waiting room until I was called for the ultrasound.
In the ultrasound room, I laid on my back with my right arm over my head. The technician squirted a warm gel on my right breast, and then went to work with the transducer. I could see the images on the screen, but of course I couldn't make any sense of them.
When the ultrasound was complete, the technician left the room to show the images to the radiologist. They both returned together, and the radiologist told me my lump was a sebaceous cyst. She explained that the cyst was in my skin layer, not actually in my breast, and it was not concerning. Phew! (I didn't know the word "sebaceous" at the time and had to Google it afterwards. Sebaceous cysts are basically non-cancerous cysts in the skin.)
The radiologist said sebaceous cysts sometimes will drain on their own - gross! - but that's a good thing. To promote the likelihood of draining, she suggested I use a warm compress on it a couple times a day, for a couple weeks. (Just wet a towel with hot water, squeeze out the excess water, and hold it on the lump until the towel cools. Repeat once or twice.)
She also said it's possible the cyst might get infected. In that case, it would be red and painful, and I should let my PCP know.
Finally, she recommended a 3-month follow-up ultrasound. I made that appointment at the front desk before leaving.
The diagnostic mammogram was pretty much the same as a routine mammogram - my breast was firmly squeezed while I stood in various awkward positions! - except they only looked at my right breast with the lump. I'm writing this months later, so my memory is a little foggy, but I think they also put a little sticker on the lump, like a marker to show where it is.
I returned to the waiting room until I was called for the ultrasound.
In the ultrasound room, I laid on my back with my right arm over my head. The technician squirted a warm gel on my right breast, and then went to work with the transducer. I could see the images on the screen, but of course I couldn't make any sense of them.
When the ultrasound was complete, the technician left the room to show the images to the radiologist. They both returned together, and the radiologist told me my lump was a sebaceous cyst. She explained that the cyst was in my skin layer, not actually in my breast, and it was not concerning. Phew! (I didn't know the word "sebaceous" at the time and had to Google it afterwards. Sebaceous cysts are basically non-cancerous cysts in the skin.)
The radiologist said sebaceous cysts sometimes will drain on their own - gross! - but that's a good thing. To promote the likelihood of draining, she suggested I use a warm compress on it a couple times a day, for a couple weeks. (Just wet a towel with hot water, squeeze out the excess water, and hold it on the lump until the towel cools. Repeat once or twice.)
She also said it's possible the cyst might get infected. In that case, it would be red and painful, and I should let my PCP know.
Finally, she recommended a 3-month follow-up ultrasound. I made that appointment at the front desk before leaving.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
2/19/19 - 2/20/19: Phone Calls
I called the Breast Imaging location, but they said that since my last routine mammogram was not within the last 3 months, I would also need a diagnostic mammogram for my right breast only. They couldn't set up an appointment for me until they got a doctor's order for the mammogram.
I called my doctor's office and explained that the Breast Imaging location was requesting an order for a diagnostic mammogram. They confirmed they would send over an electronic order.
While waiting for the new order to go through, I called the referral line for my doctor's affiliated hospital to ask if I needed a referral for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. They explained that no referral is needed for testing.
After a couple hours, I called the Breast Imaging location again. They hadn't received the order yet. The woman on the phone was very kind, and she said she'd call me when they got the order.
The next morning, the Breast Imaging location called. They received the order, and I made an appointment for the next day for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound.
I called my doctor's office and explained that the Breast Imaging location was requesting an order for a diagnostic mammogram. They confirmed they would send over an electronic order.
While waiting for the new order to go through, I called the referral line for my doctor's affiliated hospital to ask if I needed a referral for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound. They explained that no referral is needed for testing.
After a couple hours, I called the Breast Imaging location again. They hadn't received the order yet. The woman on the phone was very kind, and she said she'd call me when they got the order.
The next morning, the Breast Imaging location called. They received the order, and I made an appointment for the next day for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
2/19/19: PCP Appointment
My PCP performed a breast exam and confirmed the lump is easily palpable.
She didn't recall finding a "fatty deposit" during my last appointment, and it wasn't mentioned in her doctor's notes. I'm not sure if the "fatty deposit" was so unconcerning that it wasn't even worth mentioning in the doctor's notes, or if I somehow made up that memory!
She recommended I get an ultrasound. She would submit an electronic order to the Breast Imaging location where I usually get my annual mammogram performed, and I would need to call the Breast Imaging location to set up my appointment.
2/19/19: I Called My PCP
By this time, the lump seemed bigger. I honestly don't know if it was actually bigger, or just psychologically bigger in my mind.
More importantly, the area around the lump had become discolored. The area was surrounded by a yellow and green tinge, like an old bruise. Except it didn't hurt like a bruise, and I couldn't think of any trauma to that area, like getting elbowed or anything.
I called my PCP's office and explained my concern. I got an appointment for later that same day.
More importantly, the area around the lump had become discolored. The area was surrounded by a yellow and green tinge, like an old bruise. Except it didn't hurt like a bruise, and I couldn't think of any trauma to that area, like getting elbowed or anything.
I called my PCP's office and explained my concern. I got an appointment for later that same day.
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