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
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Sam
Well, not all the men closed out, Karen.
Thank you so much for sharing this. Breast cancer has touched my family, as well as too many others, and stories such as yours can mean so much.
Thank you. Better days are ahead.
Ca thy Carlson
Whew...exhale. Happy for you. ♡ I am 50 and will call and schedule my 1st mammogram tomorrow. ♡
Janet L Fisher
Karen - I am so glad you do not have cancer. Really glad!
I was not as lucky as you, but I am doing okay. After the cutting I had 34 straight days of radiation. Every day for 34 days! I am so grateful there are better ways now days to help when you are told you have cancer, but it still sucks. I am just glad I am alive.
Mamograms are important!
Jackie
Super great news. I'm happy for you. I went through the whole thing too a year ago, plus a lumpectomy, and am happy and lucky to be healthy too for now! But I'm keeping a close eye on these boobs!
Julie Anne
Those two words had me racing to the end of this for your results. Sending hugs and thoughts.
Thank you for writing this in the midst of your fears. It may be the nudge that gets someone or her sister or friend in for their mammogram.
Gary
Reading your blog, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So glad to hear your results came back negative. I’m going to make an appointment for my wife first thing in the morning. She keeps putting it off too. Thank you for sharing 😘👍
Anna Kramer
Oh my, what a rollercoaster ride for you to have gone through! You wrote this so eloquently too! You're a tough cookie! Survivor not a victim. I also had this kind of experience 2 years ago. Whew, like you, it's all good...we are all very happy to hear your happy ending. Thank you for sharing with us gals!!!
MrsChrisSA
I so wanted to cheat and go to the end of the post to check the final result.
But I did not
I read the whole damn thing filled with absolute terror and angst
And now I am singing halleluja.
I promise I will go for mine soon - I skipped last year. I am supposed to go every year. I have dense boobies so always have to go for a scan afterwards in any case - I had a papiloma removed from my right boob when I was 24. So, I should know this drill!
I am over the moon happy that you are ok!!
Jacquie
I'm 53 and have never had a mammogram because my tissue is so dense that only scans are suitable apparently. After reading Karen's story, I'll be making a slightly overdue appointment today.
Debbie D
Whooo Hoooooo! Congrats! So happy for you.
I found my first lump when I was 25 years old. Cysts. Have had a mamo every year since then (and I am now old). I call it my annual boob squishing! BTW, the cysts went away when they thought I had uterine cancer and did a total hysterectomy when I was 28 years old. No cancer and no more boob cysts! But, I still get my annual boob squishing every year!
J
Thank goodness! Very happy to read this.
Lisa
So glad that you are ok...it's the waiting....hate the waiting. Phew to turning out alright.
I skip the mammogram and go straight to ultrasound. It's annual for me because of "The Grape". I have a grape in my left breast, been there for about 4 years, never changed, perfectly oval in shape. So, off to the ultrasound place every year - my breasts are too cysty and grumpy for a mammogram apparently (maybe they bite when squished). You've reminded me to book in again. Fortunately here in Australia we have mammograms and ultrasounds that are fully covered by Medicare and bulk-billed, so no cost to us. Stay healthy - we need your type to stay around a lot longer. PS: I think the grape is why I like my liquid grapes so much. :-)
Mary W
Love the reference to liquid grapes! Hurray for your continued 'no change'!
Kristina
Oh my, I am SO GLAD for you. What an awful scare. XO
Tina
OMG, I was holding my breath! I'm glad it's not C.
The end of November I was told by my doctor that something was wrong with my liver enzymes. I said they're only high because I don't have a gall bladder. He sent me to a specialist. After 3 months and thousands of $$$ in tests (thank you US health system) and the specialist having discussions with me about getting on a transplant list and having my brothers and kids tested and getting new living wills, etc, I got a call a couple of days ago saying "Oh, your liver is fine! The numbers are elevated because you don't have a gall bladder!" Meanwhile I've been terrified for months. I vacillate between being relieved that I'm OK and being outrageously angry for the upset I've been put through.
Eileen
THIS is why I stay out of doctor's offices. As one recently said to someone I know after a clean bill of health: "the only reason we haven't found anything wrong with you is because we haven't looked long/hard enough."
Tina
Thank you, Eileen! I have printed that out and posted it behind my computer. I won't be anyone's Guinea pig again!
Sachi
Big, big hugs. *sigh*. Such a relief to know it isn't cancer. <3 Sending you love.
Joanne
I’ve only just become acquainted with you through your blog which I am enjoying.
Happy it all turned out for you and I will rebook a cancelled mammogram tomorrow.
Thanks for the reminder.
Jeanne
I am so very happy you don't have cancer, so very, very happy. I went through the same scare a while back. Mine turned out okay as well. We need to keep getting screenings.
Now on to seed planting....
Jeanne
Jane C.
I don't think I've ever held my breath for so long. So glad to hear your results. I just had my mammogram in January, I think, and it was negative. Always a relief to receive that letter. And you're going to book your mammograms regularly now, aren't you?
susan
p.s. and now for the Ruffles and dip ... :)
Rod from Calgary
Karen...really happy for you...really happy. My wife went through the same thing, had a couple of lumpectomies. Then along came the lump that wasn't benign. It would not have been seen by a mammogram, but was seen in an ultrasound. It's important for women at risk to have BOTH procedures. Eight and a half years later, after a lumpectomy (didn't get it all) and a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery, all is well. Thank goodness the ultrasound caught it early. Ladies...do the ultrasound!
June
Thanks for posting this.
Maureen
So glad it's not cancer! :-) I may have some cheese and crackers to celebrate on your behalf. And, yes, ladies: schedule your appointments if you haven't already.
PS - That bottom pic of you happy & relieved is so cute!