[Julie]

It is so important to understand... what might show up on one test, might actually show different on another test or not at all.

My Story (brief) - Multiple Tumors - Multiple Biopsy's - This one different.

Lump around 2:00 shows up on Mammogram and U/S
Thought probably just a cyst - but my doctors are aggressive and biopsy everything, including benign appearing cysts.
Schedule 2 days later for Biopsy - Cannot locate the mass on U/S 2 days later. The head of Imaging place puts me in an MRI immediately (without approval from Ins.)

They find a mass (not seen on mammo or u/s), but it appears different. They will need to do a different type of Biopsy (not a core biopsy). Two days later have Stereotactic Biopsy.

The tissue looks nothing like my other biopsies (this would be my 10th or so) The color is gray not pink. I remember saying to Kevin... This tissue looks ugly. He always told me immediately how my tissue looked, but we both knew this one was off - My partner (at the time) was with me during the biopsy and felt same.

Get the phone call that this is showing positive for a Phyllodes Tumor on biopsy. Phyllodes Tumors present like a Fibroid Adenoma - most labs are not equipped or trained to even catch them. Phyllodes Tumors (rare) once they turn malignant are very ugly. There really is no treatment for them. The treatment for a benign Phyllodes is a Partial Mastectomy with WIDE Margins and if it returns a complete mastectomy.

Which is why you must demand to have different types of tests. There are certain tumors which will never show up on a Mammo / U/S or even an MRI - This is why I have all three tests done every year.

And as far as doing a biopsy on everything. Damn RIGHT! I am currently watching a lump in my breast -- but, it is not growing - it has remained the same for six months. BUT - If I tell them... Biopsy the fucker, for my peace of mind, they will do it. Maybe that is bad doctoring - but emotions are just as important. And it’s my body for god sake.

On to another subject. If you want to have someone with you during your biopsy or even an U/S or an MRI – by all means, that is YOUR RIGHT. I have never been alone for a biopsy. They will tell you NO, and you will tell them YES. If you have to go high up the food chain, then so be it.

Now five years later – I am waiting for reconstructive surgery – though… I most recently had a dream that they botched up my surgery and am thinking… Maybe I will keep my little deformed left breast.