October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and while many of these type things blip right by my mental radar, this year it’s personal, and not just because I have boobs.
During my annual pap smear early this year I told my OBGYN about a pea size lump I had found in my right breast. He surprised me by immediately sending me to see a breast surgeon. Now while I would love to tell you that I was strong and unwavering in my faith, I was filled with doubt and anxiety after I was then sent for a routine mammogram and the radiologist seemed gravely concerned and told me I needed both an MRI and a biopsy. I didn’t tell my family about any of the tests because it was all so uncertain. I am blessed with great health, as well as great health insurance, and fortunate in that I’ve never had to go through any type of medical testing. There is no history of breast cancer in my family.
Thankfully the results from the core biopsy I had on my right breast as well as a lymph node back in March showed that I had nothing to worry about. The pea size lump disappeared and turned out to be nothing but fatty tissue and the larger fibrocystic mass that the radiologist I had seen (after the breast surgeon I’d seen had said everything looked fine) was concerned about turned out to be benign. I sported one scary looking bruised Frankenboob for a month or so, but it was a small price to pay for knowing I was healthy.
I did a lot of research while waiting for all my test results. I read about breast cancer risk factors and was surprised to find out that having your first child after age 30, as I did, is a risk factor, as well as is taking oral contraceptives.
I have a six-month follow up mammogram this month. Am I looking forward to it? Not really, but getting felt up by a total stranger is worth knowing that I am in the clear and that I will be here for a long time to drive my family crazy, not to mention love them like crazy.
I’ve added a button to my blog sidebar with a pink ribbon. By simply clicking on it you’ll help make it possible for someone to receive a mammogram who might not otherwise afford it.
Help spread the word about breast cancer awareness. Early detection is key (and eight out of ten breast lumps are benign!) Who knows, you might even help save a life.
Some facts and links:
From the Breast Cancer Site: If detected early, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer exceeds 95%. Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet 13 million U.S. women 40 years of age or older have never had a mammogram.
Check out Think Before You Pink or this great USA Today article for information on how you can shop for a cause!
Horchow’s website features fun think pink kitchen items so you can cook and entertain for a cause.
Coldwater Creek has several “In the Pink” benefit items.
Design-Her-Gals has also launched the first ever virtual walk to raise money to help those diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer (with a minimum donation of just $3.)
Snapfish has custom photo cards, with 30% of proceeds going to the Young Survival Coalition.
PC Layers (a new digital scrapbooking site I just found) has a free breast cancer survivors’ kit to download.
I haven’t been around much and trying to get caught up on your blog, but what a great one to catch up on. I have my first over 40 mammo for mommo this month and I am sooooo looking forward to it. But you are right it is a small price to pay to have piece of mind.
I am glad your’s was benign. God has blessed you yet again.
Talk to you soon.
Thanks again for the video!
So glad to hear that your lumps were benign. I bet that was nerve-wracking. Not sure how you stayed so calm! Must have been peace from God!
AS for the post you mentioned on my blog…I will look forward to it!
It’s a down right unnerving experience isn’t it? Glad all was well.
Hugs,
Holly
I hope everything turns out fine. Cancer or even the thought of it is a scary thing and all women should be concerned about this very real health hazard.
OK, Frankenboob made me nearly cry laughing! That is too funny. This is a great post with all the links. I have a friend whose sister is in Stage 4. And she has 5 children under the age of 7. They are fighting, and they are terrified. Thanks for sharing your story and I’m SO GLAD everything is checking out!
How scary for you! I’m glad everything turned out to be okay.
That’s wonderful that everything turned out well for you. I’m sure your next date with the boob smoosher will turn out just as well! Cancer is so, so scary…as we’re all experiencing first hand right now. I hope that we get results that are just as great as the results you received
[...] is boob Friday for me. I have a mammogram and a follow-up appointment at the Nashville Breast Center. I’m actually looking forward to sitting down and reading this [...]
lol. Nice facts. Just like what I am looking for.