It sounds like you're in a really uncertain and stressful moment right now — that kind of news right before a scheduled surgery is a lot to sit with.
It's great that you're already in contact with your doctor. An unclear MRI with possible artifacts can mean a few things, and your care team will likely want to take a closer Show Full Answer
It sounds like you're in a really uncertain and stressful moment right now — that kind of news right before a scheduled surgery is a lot to sit with.
It's great that you're already in contact with your doctor. An unclear MRI with possible artifacts can mean a few things, and your care team will likely want to take a closer look before moving forward.
Here are some things that may happen next:
- Additional imaging may be ordered to get a clearer picture of the area
- The lumpectomy may be delayed until there's more clarity on what the MRI is showing
- A biopsy of any unclear area might be recommended to rule out or confirm anything concerning
The most important thing right now is to make sure your surgical team has all the information they need before proceeding. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor directly:
- *"What do the artifacts mean for my surgery timeline?"*
- *"Do I need additional imaging before we move forward?"*
- *"How will this change my treatment plan?"*
You're doing the right thing by staying in close contact with your doctor. Lean on your care team — this is exactly what they're there for.
August 18