A lump. Two words. That's all it takes for any woman to know exactly what you mean.
At this very moment in time I have no idea if I have breast cancer or not, but by the end of this post I will know. I'm writing this post after an incident the weekend of February 16th. If you've ever had a cancer scare you know the drill. Something's wrong, you Google everything that wrong thing could be and definitely decide it's probably cancer.
Loose teeth? Must be cancer. Yellow fingernails? Cancer. Unable to watch an entire episode of Game of Thrones? Regrettably ... cancer.
The problem is ... when you find a lump in your breast, that's really the most logical direction for your mind to go.
On Saturday morning I woke up with a sore spot on my boob. Not the whole thing, it wasn't radiating, it was in one place. I poked around and my knees went weak when I felt a lump. A big one.
Google, Google, Google. Pain isn't associated with breast cancer - usually. Good. But sometimes it is. Bad. Google, Google, Google. Could be breast cancer, cysts, fibrosomething or an abscess. All kind of unfortunate but only seems like its goal in life is to make you miserable and possibly kill you.
As I sit here, I am certain of two things. That all the men are currently scrambling to close this post as fast as they possibly can, and that even having the remote possibility of cancer descending on you can completely justify eating an entire bag of Ruffles with dip.
As is often the case with something like this, it happened on a Saturday morning which meant I had the whole weekend to try to not freak out. Plus I had to wait through Monday as well because Monday was a holiday. By Tuesday morning nothing had changed so I knew I had to make a Doctor's appointment. Also by Tuesday morning I couldn't concentrate longer than 2.5 seconds on anything.
When I finally got to call my Doctor 3 days after my discovery I was told she would be unable to attend to my crisis on account of she was holidaying. Would I mind going to see a stranger Doctor in another city who's been out of medical school for precisely 1 year.
Ummmmmm.
So off I went to see Dr. One Year knowing it really didn't matter. This appointment was going to end with her ordering me to get an ultrasound and a mammogram. I knew that. I mean if I couldn't tell whether it was cancer with my 3 straight days of Googling and poking myself then she wouldn't be able to tell either.
I sat alone in the office waiting, thinking this is why women have husbands. This might be the only real reason to have a husband. So someone can sit in the waiting room with you holding you tightly so you don't donkey kick the chatty woman next to you.
At this point I haven't told anyone because there is nothing to tell other than My boob is being weird. Oh and Dr. Google says it's cancer. Best not to say anything until I actually know something.
I got an appointment that very day. After the Doctor examined me (by some stroke of good luck I was seen by a senior physician) she told me to get dressed and wait while she made a phone call.
I could hear the some of the call from the outside of my examination room.
Suspicious.
Urgent.
Ultrasound and Mammogram.
Those were the only words I heard. At least they're the only words I remember hearing.
The Doctor came back into my room and explained that she was sending me for tests at the hospital I originally had a mammogram about 2 years ago. At least I thought it was 2 years ago. Turns out it was 4.
I kept meaning to make an appointment.
I've been told that as an urgent case I should be given an appointment within the next couple of days. And that's where we are right now. With me at home, the night after my initial Doctor's visit waiting for a call to confirm my urgent mammogram appointment.
February 22
After 4 days of waiting and 17 bags of Ruffles I finally got a phone call telling me I got an appointment at the breast assessment centre. For March 7th. 17 days after my initial Doctor's appointment. Now I don't know if you know this but Cancer time is a little different than regular time. When you're waiting for results, time slows downnnnnn and each day lasts approximately 1 year. That means my appointment was going to feel like waiting for 17 years.
February 26
The breast assessment centre called to say they had a cancellation and could I come the very next morning? Yes. Yes I can. Not even a blizzard could stop me, which by the way we're supposed to be hit with the at the very time my new appointment is. That's O.K. I'm full up with Ruffles and have an extra layer of protective fat. I'll walk the 12 kilometres if I have to.
It's now the evening of February 26th as I write this and I don't mind telling you I feel quite ill from the stress of it all. The pain is gone, I don't have that anymore so one of my symptoms has disappeared. However for the past week I've had a fever. This is giving me hope that I'm only riddled with some time of non-lethal pussy infection. I'm almost certain that's the correct spelling of pussy. As in filled with puss. I understand it reads a bit differently, but I can assure you only one of my lady parts is malfunctioning - my boob.
February 27
At least it's a beautiful building. Beauty is calming so walking into this as opposed to a cinderblock dungeon somewhere in the basement of a hospital is much appreciated.
My appointment took place at 9:45 a.m. in this facility in the middle of a snow storm. First up mammogram. Actually first up getting into the contraption they call a "gown". Then the mammogram.
Once you have your mammogram you sit out in the waiting room watching I Love Lucy reruns with all the other women wearing contraption gowns waiting for results or for their initial scan.
If your mammogram is good, you get to go home after it's reviewed and get celebratory drunk. If it's bad, or needs clarification you have to have another mammogram. I had to go for another mammogram.
After my second mammogram was done I went back to the waiting room where it's now all new women and me. And Mary Tyler Moore. If the second mammogram shows inconclusive or suspicious results you have to go in for an ultrasound. I had to go in for an ultrasound.
Did I mention you're not allowed to wear deodorant when you get a mammogram because it can interfere with the results as well as your dignity? So no deodorant during one of the most sweat inducing moments in your life. I mean there's cancer tests and pregnancy tests. Those are the two sweatiest moments in life.
It didn't really matter because I was so anxiety filled that all liquid producing pores or holes in my body completely shut themselves off.
15 minutes after my ultrasound and 1.5 hrs after I got to the hospital I was given the results.
I don't have cancer.
I am however filled with cysts and need to be checked again in 3 months. The ultrasound can see the density of things and whether they're solid masses or fluid filled. Mine were fluid filled and one is possibly infected which would explain the week long low grade fever.
Cysts are harmless. But I do need to be checked again to make sure they're shrinking. Apparently they flare up then shrink. There is no known cause for cysts.
I'm home celebrating by wearing sweat pants and eating cheese and crackers and the relief is just setting in. I'm a huge advocate for mammograms. I wrote a post on the fact that everyone should remember to go regularly for mammograms including everything you can expect to happen while you're getting yours.
Yet I didn't book my follow up.
One, two, three, four years went by and I didn't get a mammogram. Which is enough time for cancer to sneak up and attack you. If you get a mammogram every 2 years they can catch it early enough that it's completely treatable. THAT'S REASON ENOUGH TO GET ONE.
Do you know anyone with terminal cancer? Imagine if they could have taken a 10 minute test to prevent it. And chose not to.
That's what you're doing when you choose to skip a mammogram.
I have something to tell you. I think now's a good time for you to book your next or first mammogram.
love karen
→Follow me on Instagram where I often make a fool of myself←
Meg
*oh noooo I started crying from the first two words*
I am high-risk. Have a follow-up follow-up ultrasound next week. I'm terrified. Just looking at your photos I can see this exact terror - the utter dread of the whole thing. I am SO glad you don't have cancer. What an absolutely gut-wrenching couple of weeks.
Brave, brave Karen. Thank you for this post. I can't tell you how relieved I am for you. And how much I appreciate hearing your experience. And how important it is to remind people to get their mammograms!
love, meg
Maura
So sorry to hear what you had to go through but happy of the ultimate result!
Kim
So happy for you, breathing a big sigh of relief.
Lesley
Just burst into tears and scared the cat. I'm so glad you're OK.
Suzi Lyle
Me too! I’m so happy it’s all ok 👏👏👏🎉🎊
susan
(((Karen))) I can't get the smile off my face! I'm so happy for you and relieved that you are okay. It is a terrible scare (had similar many years ago) and yes, a good kick in the butt to get on top of having mammograms done.
Marguerite Floyd
Thank god it's not cancer! You wrote this entry so well I was holding my breath until the end.
Ladies, go get that mammogram today because f*ck cancer!
Bethany Jones
I’m not gonna lie...I had tears of relief at the end of your post. Fucking stupid awful cancer affects all of us, whether we have it or know someone and I’m so glad you don’t have it!
Dawn Marie
Thank you for sharing your experience. I had a lump found last year during the other exam we women do not enjoy. Only my husband knew, and it was not easy having to tell him. My parents were having to deal with my Dad's health issues and I didn't want to add to their worry over him. It turned out to be a cyst, thankfully. Last month I had a 6-month followup. No change. Don't have to have another one for a year.
I had put this off forever. Cancer doesn't run in my family, I've got too much other stuff going on, etc., etc. I almost didn't have the exam, to begin with, but something told me to. I was glad I did.
Susan Sidell
Whew! Sigh of relief for my "cyst-tah" and appreciate your sharing!
blue tang
God bless, dear karen.
Edith
Hi Karen,
You had me so scared......I’m happy you’re ok!
F’ing cancer!
Angie Pearce
Oh, thank God. I'm so glad you're okay. I had almost the exact same thing happen to me. Get a mammo regularly and religiously, girls! It is absolutely worth it.
Keelea LeJeune
I’m so sorry you had to go through that scare and am so glad to hear your results. Years ago I went through the same thing. Same cysts. My doc asked if I drank Diet Coke. I did. All the time. She suggested I stop. I went cold turkey and haven’t been cysty since—no more lumps. Not sure if you’re a diet soda drinker, but it could be contributing to your boob prob. Either way, WHEW!
Katie
I had the very same experience! I lost my best friend to breast cancer, and discovered a large lump three months after she died. Turned out to be a cyst, but the radiologist told me to stop drinking Diet Coke in no uncertain terms.
Done.
Charisaa
Aww u poor girl. I read the title and first couple of sentences, then skipped to the end, then read the rest as i couldn't handle it. You are so brave and generous to share this. What a gift to all of of us. THANK YOU AND THANK GOODNESS YOU ARE WELL.
Bonnie Harris
Just like Charisaa, had to scroll down after the first couple of paragraphs. If only we could 'scroll down' in real life and know the answer to our life and death questions right away! So relieved for you, Karen.
Mark
Very glad you had good news!
Men can get breast cancer too. The father of my best friend from grade school died from it.
Terri
Thank you for the mention on men and breast cancer! Although it’s rare (less than 1%), I’d hope that any man who stopped reading this, reconsidered and gained more knowledge that might help him or a male friend be proactive.
Angie4
You are my hero!
For this reminder and all your projects!
It's too late to call for an appointment tonight but I will in the am.
Suel
Hey Karen,
I'm a guy who was scared stiff when a mole on my back, about the size of a pencil eraser, was malignant. If I heard it once, I heard it 3 times, "I've never seen a melanoma like this before." Primary physician, dermatologist, oncology surgeon. "We need another biopsy", "we need to see if this has originated from somewhere else." Rush here, rush there, PET Scan, surgery, sentinel lymph node biopsy, wait, wait, and wait some more. That was 6 years ago, I'm still in the clear. I'm so glad to hear your news and I want to thank you for sharing that ordeal. Yours was different, but in a way they're the same. Love to you sister, we're here for you.
Laura Weinberg
I don’t think I breathed the whole time I was reading that! I’m so happy you don’t have cancer!
I’m a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in January 2016, with stage 2. It was my first mammogram. Stupid to wait that long, but I have zero breast cancer in my family, so didn’t realize I was in danger. Turns out I have the BRCA1 mutation, so had an 87% chance of getting the disease! And my cancer was so aggressive, if I’d waited another 4 months for that first mammogram, I would have had a very different prognosis.
So yes, please don’t skip mammograms. A lot can happen in the time between them.
Ella
So relieved for you.
Thank you for reminding all of us to get a mammo. I am part of the Ontario Breast Screening Program because my mom had BC at 39 which she beat (only to have it come back 25 years later and end up killing her). I also did the BRCA genetic test to find out if I carry the BC gene. (I do not.) As part of the program, I get a mammo annually. Every year without fail. And I am grateful to get it!
Lori Enos Jones
Glad all is good!!!