Did you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month? Unfortunately, I got to spend the month a little too aware of it. I’ll skip to the punchline because I know firsthand just how stressful waiting is: I’m fine.
The long story…
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I went in recently for my first mammogram. I found out a few days later that “something” showed up in my left breast. Approximately one in 10 women need a follow up mammogram, but only 8-10% of that 10% need a biopsy. Statistics were on my side.
I “failed” my second mammogram and got to have an ultrasound. Via ultrasound, the radiologist was able to determine that the mass was indeed solid, as opposed to a fluid filled cyst. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to biopsy. Except the next opening wasn’t for another week.
The biopsy itself was no big deal. It involved some numbing, a big needle and a good looking doctor with a sense of humor. It was kind of amazing to watch on the ultrasound as he took the samples. The mass was apparently so deep in that at one point he explained the potential risk of nicking my lung. (Thankfully, he didn’t.)
And then we waited again.
I spent the last week avoiding Dr. Google, but thinking about what was important to me. I filled the time running, eating frosting, and just trying to stay present with my kids. I made some small decisions: I was keeping my long hair until it started to fall out. I made some big decisions: if there was ANYTHING at all that pointed towards mastectomy, the boob was going. And maybe taking its partner. But mostly, I just tried to stay positive and leaned on my family and a few close friends to stay sane.
And finally, I won the lottery. I met with a breast specialist today and the mass was benign. I’ll have a followup in 6 months and then my annual mammogram in a year and if all stays the same, I’m back to my regular annual checkups.
I got lucky. And I know it. But I’d go through it all again in a heartbeat. I would not have felt the lump any time soon. It’s too far in and back.
There’s been a lot of debate recently about the effectiveness of mammograms and whether women should wait longer for their first one. There is a fairly high rate of “false findings” that require subsequent mammograms, especially in women in their 30s and 40s. Yes, these two weeks sucked (some of that was exacerbated by communication issues that I’m working to resolve.) No, I did not enjoy having my stress levels that high. My body in no way appreciated me alternating between being unable to eat and eating junk. But given the alternative of NOT finding a mass that ended up being cancerous? Give me the two weeks of stress.
And the bottle of Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout that I’ll be celebrating with this evening.
Glad it ended up to be good news! Scares like that are certainly worrisome and anxiety enducing. Happy you were a lucky one.
Wow. So sorry you went through this and so GLAD it turned out the way it did. And yes, yes, yes, to keeping regular mammograms in the picture. Something we all need to fight for. Raising my glass to your good news!
So, very, very glad you're okay!!! My Grammy had breast cancer TWICE. She had it once, then a few years later had it in another breast. Then, a few laters, she got cancer again – in her back. Unfortunately, it spread thru her body and she died on Nov 4th, 2009.
So happy to hear it all turned out OK!
Very scary stuff! I so glad you're okay.
So glad you are ok. Hugs friend!
WOW. That is so scary. Glad you got good news.
Very happy that all is well, and thank you for sharing. Reminders of frequent check ups are always positive. I'll be sure to drink the smoked vanilla stout in my fridge in honor of letting go of your worries 🙂
SO glad that it all turned out ok. And that we have the technology available to aid in early detection. That had to be so so stressful for you AND your family – enjoy that beer! 🙂
A classic case of better safe than sorry. Congrats and glad to hear you're OK. Cheers!
So glad you are okay! Very scary stuff.
My heart skipped a beat for a second there. YIKES. Thank goodness you are all clear. Good reminder to GET CHECKED!
So glad for the good news.
Glad you're OK. Had that scare 11 years ago w/ same result: benign. Had it removed and celebrate every "successful" mammogram since.Happy health to you!!
wow, i can only imagine your stress! I'm so glad it turned out ok. and i really need to get this done. Like now.
So glad everything is ok!
Really, really glad everything is ok! And thank you for sharing this – it is an important reminder to me that I'm due to get the girls squeezed. Enjoy that beer!!
Crap – there's enough of that going around. So glad it all turned out ok and thank you for the reminder to go get a mammogram. So important.Enjoy your beer 🙂
what a scare! i've gone through the same thing myself. no fun waiting for answers. benign is a good answer though
Glad it ended well..very scary indeed!
That must have been a very tough two weeks. Not knowing is so hard. Glad for the good news! I'm with you. I want to know and keep the mammograms. I don't think I'll have extra time while I'm in DC but if I do I'll give you a call.
Scary stuff, but so good that it all checked out OK. Thank goodness!
Glad to hear you checked out okay – ENJOY your Southern Tier Creme Brulee Stout :)I'm 2 years overdue for my baseline mammogram – your post should kick me in the ass to get it done.
Thank you for starting out with the good news, but I have to say you have me in tears. Just so scary… Breath deep, squeeze your fellas and have ANOTHER beer for me, as my fetus frowns on it! Best best best wishes for a lifetime of BORING mammograms after this! 🙂
That must have been so unsettling. I'm so thankful you are ok! A good friend of mine passed away from breast cancer three years ago. She was diagnosed when she was 29 and died when she was 35. I am with you – getting regular mammograms is important! Thank goodness you are ok. Enjoy that yummy beer – it sounds amazing!
Wow! Glad the results were good! You were very brave to take that first step and get the mammogram and even braver to stick through the workup to a diagnosis. *hug*
Glad you finally received good news! Southern Tier Creme Brûlée is dessert in a bottle. Their brewery is fabulous, if you ever make it to Western New York.
Same thing happened to me… Praise God that it was nothing.
Good night, nurse! I'm a firm believer in mammograms and colonoscopies. I "gave" myself those gifts for my 40th birthday last year. Boobs were fine, but three funky "spots" (not-yet-cancer) were removed from my colon – already! At only 40! (Early screening due to my mom's death from colon cancer.) Blah-blah-blah on the concerns about false detection on the mammograms! Like you, I think it's better to be safe than sorry even if it means a little extra worry and stress.Glad you're OK.
What a stressful waiting period! I'm so glad everything is OK! Good for you for trying to make the most of those days waiting to hear back – not moping around and accepting some potential decisions you'd have to make. Thankfully all for naught!
WOW. I'm SO glad that the news came out good for you. How scary.
I'm so sorry you had to go through that! I'm glad it turned out ok in the end, take care of yourself!
I'm so glad to hear you're okay!
Too scary! Glad everything is fine.
I'm sorry you had to go through that, but very happy that it worked out okay!
So relieved to hear you are okay. ::huge huge hugs::
Wow, so happy to hear that you are okay!
I am so glad everything is OK!