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.