Life can throw you a curve ball when you least expect it.
In June I went for my scheduled mammogram. I have gone for regular mammograms since I was 40 at my doctor's suggestion. When my sister was diagnoses with breast cancer 3 years ago I became more diligent with making sure I went for my mammogram and performed self breast examinations, something I have always felt a little goofy about doing but the alternative of not doing it is far worse.
About 10 days after my mammogram I got a call from the hospital telling me that they had booked another mammogram for me along with an ultrasound. Needless to say my antenna's went up. The following week I was in for my follow up mammogram. My little heart was pounding what seemed like a thousand beats a minute. I arrive at the hospital(the hospital I work at) and speak with the technician who will being doing the mammogram, she told me there were some abnormalities that had shown up on the other mammogram and that they wanted to get a better look. She took numerous pictures, she went out and spoke with the radiologist and came back and said I was all done and that they would be in touch.
The following week I had my ultrasound. Again I was nervous as all get out. The sonographer was very professional and explained what she was doing, the ultrasound took maybe 25mins. and then I was on my way home to wait patiently for some word as to what was going on.
My doctor called and I went in for the results. Turns out I had 4 cm. area about the size of a walnut that I had what they called "micro calcification in clusters" the radiologist comments where that they were suspicious of "lobular carcinoma". It was suggested that I have what they call aSterostatic biopsy. Needless to say my antenna's went up even further, and I am sure my doctor could see it in the expression on my face. She said she would arrange to have the test done. I wait patiently. I get another call from my doctor's office to tell me that it has to be a surgeon who makes the referral for the test so now I have to wait to get in to see the surgeon. Another week passes. I saw the surgeon on the Friday. He said he was going to have the request for biopsy faxed to the hospital that day. He was going away for 3 weeks. Urgh!!!
Remember I said I work at the hospital. Well I was going to work that afternoon after seeing him, so being curious I went to see if they received the requisition from his office. They hadn't. I'd have to wait until Monday to find out. Monday comes around and still they haven't received the fax. Well his office is now closed for 3 weeks where could it be. I checked again on Tuesday the clerks in the booking department were great and they put me right through to the person who arranges these biopsies. I spoke to her, she was very apologetic and stated that she still hadn't received anything. She put me on hold a few times...then she came back to me and said...you know I don't have it, but I will book you in anyhow....I couldn't thank her enough, 10 days later I was in having the procedure done, and what a procedure.
Mammograms at the best of times can be uncomfortable especially for those of us who are shall we say are well endowed. The procedure requires that you lay on a table on your side while they try and place your breast on the screen so they can take pictures to find the best place to obtain the biopsy. As most of you know 18 months ago I had open heart and well my chest is still tender thus making it difficult to lay on my side for any length of time. But I persevered, I wanted them to get the best pictures possible. After about 1hour they were happy with the pictures. The radiologist came in and explained what he was going to do and proceeded to freeze my breast and then insert what sounded and felt like a drill in my breast. He wasn't happy with the first 2 samples so he asked if he could do it again. Of course! Would there be any doubt that I wouldn't want you to get the best samples possible. Go for it doc!! The next biopsy he tells me he got good samples....why thanks doc. They patch me up and put the cutesiest little self sticking ice pack on my boob....ahhhhh.
So now the really hurry up and wait game begins. It took 10 days for me to get the results....and it turns out that it was benign. Whew!!!!!!!! Almost 2 months had passed for me to get that news. I actually got the good news on my deceased mother's birthday August 9th. I swear she was looking out for me.
Now more than ever I will be diligent with my self breast examinations and regular mammograms. So ladies, please please do yourself a favour and get checked regularly.
8 comments:
As you were telling the story my heart was in my throat. I could feel your tension. I went through the same thing last year, actually just a little over a year ago. Thankfully I did not have to wait for my biospy and they told me the results as I went along (of course to be confirmed by my doctor in visits with her). But I had my heart in my throat at each step and only breathed lightly after my last mammogram. I now will go in another year and if that is clear again, the doctor suggested going back to every other year. I'm glad to hear that you and I have good news. Stay well ;-)
SO glad it was benign! My best friend had a lumpectomy and found out it was malignant but contained so began her chemo last week. Today we went wig shopping after going out for lunch and made a day of it. Her spirits are high right now but she admitted that the day her hair falls out (in about a week or so) she will probably cry. But she's now prepared with a gorgeous wig and some caps and will continue to persevere.
Holy Rip, Mary Anne! I'm so sorry to hear you had to go through all of that but so darned glad too that you did it anyway. Sounds like you had a lot of hassles just trying to get around to learning if everything was okay or not -about like I did from March until almost the end of June as I was trying to make appointments I needed with doctors in Pittsburgh to get things set up for my surgery too! But, once I got that first appointment there with the doctors I needed to see, thankfully things moved along a bit faster. And, like you, I'm so glad that I had done all the things they did too and yes, even happy that I had the hysterectomy that showed there was NO displasia -what the original diagnosis requiring the hysterectomy had been -but that the tests on the uterus showed cancer cells so now I have to start getting chemo again. And yes, I am happy about that too because without the hysterectomy, the cancer in the uterus would never have been found until it was too late so now, it's going to be taken care of too! Right?
The things we do have to go through just to make sure our bodies are in the best shape possible really is something else at times, isn't it?
So glad your results were benign though and what a tremendous relief that had to have been for you! Breathe a bit easier -at least for a while anyway now.
That's a good reminder. For some reason my doctor doesn't believe in annual mammograms so I only get them every other year. But so far so good and there is no history of breast cancer in the family, only lots of other body parts. - Margy
I'm so happy for you that the results were benign but it's digraceful that you had to wait so long.
Here every woman over 50 gets a mammogram every two years and obviously if we find anything in the meantime it's straight to the doctors.
Am glad to hear things turned out well. You are about the 3d person I have heard of/know who has gone thru this - myself included. It was an experience that I never want to repeat again - very uncomfortable procedure. Done slightly differently than yours and I never ever want to have to go thru it again.
Oh, Mary Anne, I'm so glad you had good news...! Yay...! But the waiting must have been horrible.
Good for you...!
I am so sorry you had to wait so long for the good news but am very happy to read it was benign. For the past two years I've had to go back for additional mammograms and ultrasound after initial screening one but so far they haven't felt it necessary to biopsy the nodules because they appear to be benign. I never had anything like that until two years ago but now after having the additional tests two years in a row I'm sort of expecting it this time around.
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