Phew...
Good news! The thing that caused the breast center to call me in for additional mammograms and an ultrasound turned out to be a lymph node that showed up more clearly than it typically would on most people. The radiologist who viewed my mammograms yesterday and also performed one of my ultrasounds said everything looked normal, and that the lymph node that was so visible was just normal for me and was now part of my baseline.
They really had me worried because they only did one view of my left breast, but did three very specific views of my right. Then the ultrasound tech didn't see anything unusual on my left breast, but did see a lump (which turned out to be the lymph node) on my right and left to bring back the radiologist. Dr. Tran then performed the final ultrasound and said it was nothing to worry about; it was just a lymph node which looked perfectly healthy, and for some reason on me it just happened to show up clearly on the tests.
He did say that with my family's history (my mom has had breast cancer, as well as an aunt on my dad's side who died from it) that I need to have mammograms every year instead of the two years which is typical for my age bracket. This wasn't a surprise, especially since I already have a personal history with cancer. I don't mind because it just mean I'm more likely to have early detection if I do happen to get breast cancer. My mom's was detected early, and she's had a clear bill of health for a little over two years. My aunt's cancer wasn't detected as early, although she would have had a higher survival rate if she had consented to have radiation.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who sent positive thoughts, etc., my way. I really appreciate the support.
They really had me worried because they only did one view of my left breast, but did three very specific views of my right. Then the ultrasound tech didn't see anything unusual on my left breast, but did see a lump (which turned out to be the lymph node) on my right and left to bring back the radiologist. Dr. Tran then performed the final ultrasound and said it was nothing to worry about; it was just a lymph node which looked perfectly healthy, and for some reason on me it just happened to show up clearly on the tests.
He did say that with my family's history (my mom has had breast cancer, as well as an aunt on my dad's side who died from it) that I need to have mammograms every year instead of the two years which is typical for my age bracket. This wasn't a surprise, especially since I already have a personal history with cancer. I don't mind because it just mean I'm more likely to have early detection if I do happen to get breast cancer. My mom's was detected early, and she's had a clear bill of health for a little over two years. My aunt's cancer wasn't detected as early, although she would have had a higher survival rate if she had consented to have radiation.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who sent positive thoughts, etc., my way. I really appreciate the support.