Whatever happened with that last biopsy?

I've been asked the question a lot lately.

After faithfully documenting my breast lump experience, I puttered out after I was told that I would need to repeat the core biopsy because the radiologist missed sampling the tumor and had instead sampled cores of healthy breast tissue.

My lack of enthusiasm developed during a conversation that I had requested with my physician in order to prepare for the second core biopsy, which was scheduled for later that week. Our discussion provided yet another twisty-turn that I couldn't decipher as either good or bad, but that certainly did make me feel very, very tired of the entire experience.

To bring you up to date:

When we finally connected over the phone, I pressed for more information about how and why the radiologist had managed not to sample my tumor at all, and also inquired whether the same one would be performing the re-do. Before we got too far, my doctor said that she had again spoken to the radiologist (who remains confident that she did in fact sample the tumor), and also requested that the pathologist re-review the samples to confirm that there was not a single a sign of a fibroadenoma. There was none.

Based on my doctors advice and her confidence in the radiologist's skill and judgement, I decided not to undergo a second core biopsy in favor of another ultrasound in early October. My doctor said that although the results are not what they expected to find, that does not mean that the results are wrong.

So, it could be great news, or maybe not.

I've noticed that the lump is much, much smaller, so I hope that is a good sign too. Next week, we'll find out what the lump has been up to over the last 6 weeks and then decide if another biopsy is really necessary.