Maybe this will be of help.

I wish you well.

Here is a link that might be useful: here

I don't have answers to your questions, but wanted to offer you hugs and wish you well.
Linda

No need to panic yet. It could be a benign tumor. Don't worry about cancer until you know that's what it is for sure. Positive thoughts always help the healing process.

First, I want to tell you to calm down.......... I know that this is scary. Twice in the last few years my mammogram has shown something abnormal. My first thought was that the machine had malfunctioned (I wanted to think the best). When I was told that there was actually something abnormal there, I felt like someone had socked me in the stomach. Both times though, it turned out NOT to be cancer. But before I knew for sure I was convinced that it was. We always think the worst.

The first was "Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia". Fancy name for "cells reproducing much faster than they are supposed to". Doc told me that they consider it a precursor to cancer and best to have it removed, so it is GONE. The second time I wasn't as scared as the first time and I don't even remember what they called it, but after biopsy they determined that nothing more needed to be done and I would be fine.

And I want to tell you that there are NO foolish questions. Nothing should be more important to you than YOU and you have the right to ask all the questions you want and keep asking them until you understand the answers.

As for how long it takes to return to work, there is going to be a big variance there, depending on how invasive the surgery is. For my surgery, which would have been the same whether or not it had been cancer, I only missed two days of work. Obviously someone having a double mastectomy is going to take much longer.

I did a search online and there are lots of websites that can give you information. I'm not posting any of these for you though, because each seemed to have only tidbits that might fit your situation. Google - "breast cancer" + surgery + "return to work" for one such search. Do remember to use the quotation marks, this will narrow your search to make it more relavent.

Bottom line, do not let your imagination get away from you before you know just what you are dealing with.

I will be keeping you in my thoughts. You can get through this and stay sane.

Sure know how you feel--Had a mass removed long time ago & I was sure it was the big C---TG, everything was normal, but I about worried myself to death! My sis's & I have had the needle biopsy also & again, all was OK---

Will say some calming prayers for you-

Donna (^_^)

Been there, done that and understand you not wanting to talk about it openly yet.

This might answer some of your questions.
What if They Think They See Something on My Mammogram?

Here is a forum, but judging from the last post dates it does not appear to be very active. possibly you can do some searching and reading there anyway.

Breast Health Online

I am a breast cancer survivor (12 years now), but only had a lumpectomy, and then chemo, 6 different times, spaced 6 weeks apart I think, and 6 weeks of radiation. I'm sure that healing time would be far different with a total mastectomy though.

I can't remember how long I was off after surgery, but worked right through the chemo and radiation. It is all kind of a blur.

While going through it all, I only talked about it to a very few close loved ones. I was too traumatized to have everyone know and be asking me how I was getting along. I chose the chemo that caused only about 1/2 of my hair to come out. I looked like a drowned rat (or so I thought) and many knew I was not well, but no one ever pried into my private matters.

Feel free to email me if you like. My email link is on my Member Page.

I got chemo curls (hence my name) after my new hair started coming in after chemo. I loved them!

Sue

A few years ago my mammogram showed something abnormal. I have fibrocystic breasts, so they're lumpy anyways. The needle biopsy was inconclusive, so they did a biopsy.....it was nothing. There are alot of "odd" things that are not cancer. Please just try to relax and take it one step at a time.

Keep your spirits up up. I recently had to have the mammogram, something showed up, back again for more intense mammogram. Nothing showed up on the more intense one, so they advised me to come back in 6 months for another mammogram. I will keep you in my prayers.

Sue

I understand how you feel. When I have to have a test I always panic inwardly and ask them to schedule as soon as they can. it's always turned out to be nothing.

I have fatty tumors in my body which are not cancerous. I even have one in my brain in the sleep area, probably why I have trouble sleeping.

my mother had a calcium deposit they didn't even tell her about...when i was delivering records from one doc to another, took the time to read them...now hows that for bad communications?

thank you for the encouraging words ... i do appreciate it.

I've been going through this for years, having lumps, cysts, and getting them aspirated. So I really didn't get very excited when I found this one, except that it did feel ... not so much like a bath gel (that's what the fluid-filled cysts feel like to me). This is more firm and doesn't seem to roll around.

Anyway, I know I'm in limbo til the surgeon can see me. She only does office visits on Mondays, and is then in surgery the rest of the week. I have no idea how quickly she'll be able to schedule the biopsy and (if necessary) the mastectomy. I'm assuming it will go that far, so that I'm ready if it really does. I really don't like being blind-sided by something that I could have/should have anticipated.

anyway, I have a lot of reading to do this weekend to get myself informed. Thank you again.

anonymous me

As my dad would say,"Don't borrow trouble"!! I know hard not to do.

Like you i had the same problem with lumps and bumps for years,and they all were just that,lumps & bumps until last year.Last July i got the dreaded diagnosis of BC and like you,i did decide to get them both taken off.

IF it is BC,don't panick,they've come a long way with treatment these days.

I had an appointment with the radiologist the day after my mammogram,and a couple days after that i saw the surgeon and got sent for all kinds of tests.Had the surgery in August,and chemo started in Oct.I just finished chemo in feb.

Not all dr's do it the same way though,some do chemo and/or radiation first before surgery,then surgery is last.I don't know how they base those decisions,but they do.

Just remember whatever the outcome,it's all doable.

The site i go to is Breastcancer.org. It's a great group and they have many forums on the site,ie,for those going thru chemo,hormonal therapy,the surgery,radiation etc.It's a very active group and they will help you through all this.A lot of them are very knowledgeable,and can help you out every step along this rough road.

Feel free to email me thru my page if you'd like to chat,just put GW somewhere in the subject line so i don't delete it.
Good luck to you,will lift you up in prayer.
Kathi