Results of my biopsy revealed that my tumor was malignant. As soon as the surgeon spoke the "c word", my thoughts were spiraling out of control. Did he just say I have CANCER? No really I have what?!? Was he kidding? I am to young to have cancer!
Since that day, everything has been a whirlwind. A biopsy of my left breast, lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy...all during the same surgery. Recovery from surgery, and physical therapy.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Doctor Appointments Galore
Of course I immediately called my doctor and made an appointment to see her the next day. As she lifted my paper gown, she commented that she can see the lump on my breast. Her immediate comment was, "it is probably just a cyst". She recommended an ultrasound to be sure.
One week later, on Wednesday, June 20 I returned to the doctors office for an ultrasound. To be honest I was focused more on my upcoming vacation than the mass in my breast. I had read somewhere that 80% of lumps found by women who perform breast self exams are nothing. Also, breast cancer does not run in my family. Both of my grandmothers had it post-menopause, in their 70's, which puts them in a different category. There is no way this was something serious, but I told my parents what was going on and invited my husband to my ultrasound appointment just in case.
Two hours later the head of mammography called me to tell me that the mass in my breast was solid and not a cyst. She asked if I would be available to meet with a surgeon. She had already made an appointment for the next day.
On June 21 I arrived at the surgeon's office with ultrasound films in hand. I wasn't really sure what to expect, and was trying to distract myself by thinking about vacation. After all, going to surgeon's office meant that some sort of needle or incision was in my not too distant future, and I was not looking forward to it!
Upon investigating my lump and viewing my ultrasound films, my surgeon looked at me squarely and said, "I can't rule out cancer." He explained that I needed an ultrasound guided core biopsy, and set me up with an appointment at the Breast Care Clinic at the hospital for the next morning.
One week later, on Wednesday, June 20 I returned to the doctors office for an ultrasound. To be honest I was focused more on my upcoming vacation than the mass in my breast. I had read somewhere that 80% of lumps found by women who perform breast self exams are nothing. Also, breast cancer does not run in my family. Both of my grandmothers had it post-menopause, in their 70's, which puts them in a different category. There is no way this was something serious, but I told my parents what was going on and invited my husband to my ultrasound appointment just in case.
Two hours later the head of mammography called me to tell me that the mass in my breast was solid and not a cyst. She asked if I would be available to meet with a surgeon. She had already made an appointment for the next day.
On June 21 I arrived at the surgeon's office with ultrasound films in hand. I wasn't really sure what to expect, and was trying to distract myself by thinking about vacation. After all, going to surgeon's office meant that some sort of needle or incision was in my not too distant future, and I was not looking forward to it!
Upon investigating my lump and viewing my ultrasound films, my surgeon looked at me squarely and said, "I can't rule out cancer." He explained that I needed an ultrasound guided core biopsy, and set me up with an appointment at the Breast Care Clinic at the hospital for the next morning.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Shocking Discovery
My goal for the summer was to begin some kind of exercise regimen. Three days into my summer vacation from teaching at the local high school, I was working on achieving that goal. I had met "the girls" at the high school track and we walked every morning. So, Wednesday, June 13, 2007 began as any other morning. As I was pulling my hair back into a ponytail to get ready for my daily walking ritual I noticed a bump on my right breast. Upon further investigation I realized that it was a true lump. I was absolutely shocked. I was surprised at the sheer size and presence of the lump. I did not bother to speculate as to what this may be, instead I called my husband who had already left for work.
"I have a lump in my breast." When I heard myself say the words I began to cry. It just felt scary to say…not because I dreamed it could be anything as scary as cancer, but because I knew it would require something scary like surgery to have it removed. Cancer did not feel like a real threat, although it briefly crossed my mind.
"I have a lump in my breast." When I heard myself say the words I began to cry. It just felt scary to say…not because I dreamed it could be anything as scary as cancer, but because I knew it would require something scary like surgery to have it removed. Cancer did not feel like a real threat, although it briefly crossed my mind.
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