So in the middle of November I found a lump. I don't really remember the first time I found it, nor do I really remember what I was doing when I found it. I know for sure I wasn't doing a breast exam like they recommend you do. I was probably putting on a shirt or something. The lump was on the top of my breast and pretty easy to feel. Being the avoider I am, I ignored it. However, being the slightly OCD person I am, I was always very aware of it. I decided I should probably get it checked out, but I really had no idea how to start the process. I didn't even have a primary care doctor (yeah I'm a pretty responsible 34 year old). After consulting with a friend I made a doctors appointment to get it checked out.
December 5th started the journey. The first doctor I went to (my gynecologist) confirmed that there was a lump and said I should go get a mammogram and ultrasound to get it checked out. After asking about my age (not the typical age for cancer) and family history (no cancer in our history) she asked "do you drink much caffeine?" If you know me and my love of a fountain drink you know this is a yes. She then explained that caffeine can make cysts more prevalent. I left that appointment feeling pretty good.
The next week I was off for my next set of tests. Can I just take a moment to confirm that mammograms hurt like a bitch! In fact at one point I said to the technician "how do little old ladies take this pain?" I mean, I like to think I'm pretty tough, but that crap hurt! After what seemed like 100 compressions of my breast, I was off to the next room for an ultrasound. (Should be noted that in between rooms I ran into a student's mom. As if that isn't awkward!) The ultra sound was much less painless. However, an ultrasound of a breast is far less exciting than an ultrasound of an unborn baby. Not that I know from experience. After these tests another doctor came in and said "we don't like what we see so we are going to send your for a biopsy." I left that appointment feeling not so good.
The next week I was off to my ultrasound. At this point, I think I had been to more doctors appointments in the month of december than I had the entire year. Anyways, the biopsy wasn't too bad. My doctor (whose first name is Liberty Bell) was AWESOME and explained everything. If anyone in the Holland, Michigan, area needs a surgeon go to her! A week later she called to say that the biopsy had come back benign but that they weren't totally comfortable giving me the all clear. They knew there were some calcium deposits around the lump that did not show up in the biopsy. Another biopsy it is! At this point I'm feeling a little better.
The day after Christmas came biopsy #2. This one was like a mammogram and biopsy in one. A fun way to spend your Wednesday afternoon is with your breast through a hole in a table, while paddles squeeze it until is is held in place and then they stick a needle in it. Oh and you can't move. Oh and let's throw in the fact that I had the flu and a temperature over 101. Awesome.
On New Year's Eve I got the call about my second biopsy. Here is what I remember....blah blah blah cancer....blah blah blah stage zero....blah blah blah invasive....blah blah blah cancer. Yeah once you hear those words you tend to tune everything else out.
That is the abbreviated version of my month of December. Pretty awesome right? At least it left me with an easy resolution for 2013: Kick Cancer's Ass!
No comments:
Post a Comment