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I went to my
doctors for a normal follow up and then she suggested that being
that I am getting close to 40 years old (not in my opinion though)
that we should go ahead and do a mammogram and get a "baseline" for
me. I didn't mind was grateful that a doctor was actually
suggesting "testing" me for something without me having to bring it
up first.
March 27th,
2003 I went to the doctor's office for the mammogram.
My only "horror" story about the whole thing was the technician
placed my right breast in and had me all "squished" in when she
realized she forgot to put the x-ray film in the machine. She
went and got the film and told me "don't move" umm hello I don't
think I had a choice!!! It only took about 15 minutes total
for the whole "exam"... then she went to check the x-rays and made
sure they came out and told me that 2 radiologists will examine
them. If everything is "normal" I will get a letter in the
mail... if they detect anything of concern, they will contact me.
April 2nd I
got a phone call... they found a "dense mass" in my right breast and
want me to come back and check it again. They scheduled me for
April 11th... so I am "freaking out" but am trying to remain semi
calm at the same time. I went for the second mammogram just on
my right breast... the radiologist himself did it this time.
He told me that there definitely is a mass but its "probably benign"
but he would prefer to do a follow-up again in 6 months to see if
there is any change or not.
September
29th, 2003 I went back for my 3rd mammogram... which was my 6 month
check up from my original date. "A 5 mm irregular density seen
at the medial right breast at its middle third was stable.
Elsewhere at the right breast, no other dominant mass, suspicious
groupings of microcalcifications, areas of architectural distortion
or skin thickening were seen." Recommendation - Six month
follow up - Category 3 - Probably benign finding.
I am not
overly thrilled with that answer so I am going to contact them and
tell them that I would prefer an ultrasound to be done or a
biopsy... I want a definite answer not "probably benign" so we'll
see what happens there!!
Breast
Cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. 1 in 8 women
will develop breast cancer. Some women are at a greater risk of
developing breast cancer than others. Women with the following risk
factors show an increased incidence of breast cancer:
-
Age -
the older you are the greater your risk
-
A family
history of breast cancer, particularly your mother, sister or
daughter
-
Never
having born a child
-
Having
first child past age 30
-
Starting
menstruation before the age of 12
-
Starting
menopause after the age 50
-
A history
of benign breast disease that required biopsies
-
Previous
history of breast cancer
Not all
women with one or more of these risk factors will develop breast
cancer just as some women without these risk factors my be diagnosed
with this cancer.
In
addition, 1600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will
die this year.
Please
click the banner to donate free mammograms for underprivileged
women, at NO cost to you.
EARLY WARNING
SIGNS
Here are some early
warning signs of breast cancer.
A lump is found in the
breast.
Of course not all lumps are cancerous.
But, it would be wise to have it checked for cancer anyway.
Unusual swelling in the
breast or underarm area.
Veins stick out more in
one breast, than in the other one.
Inverted nipples, a rash
on the skin, or change in skin texture.
A discharge (other than
milk) is coming out of the breast.
A depression in the skin.
Breast
Cancer Links
The Breast Cancer Site
The Susan G.
Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Race Fans for a Cure
Avon Breast Cancer Crusade
Pink Ribbons Crusade
National
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
PINK
RIBBONS
What a precious little girl Standing shyly over there.
Adorned with ruffles and lace With pink ribbons in her hair.
She's just a young child With many years to live,
Rosy cheeks, twinkling eyes, And so much love to give.
She grows a little older, A teen without a care.
It's long hair in ponytails, That hold pink ribbons there.
She lives her life so busily, Rushing here and rushing there.
Her time packed full of fun things, Living life without a care.
The years pass by so swiftly, A career and family for which to care.
Now she has her own little girl With pink ribbons in her hair.
She knows there are important things That she really needs to do,
Like breast self-examinations And regular check-ups too.
She went to see her doctor And heard these words that chilled the
air,
"I am so very sorry, But I'm afraid there's cancer there."
She took the news as anyone would, Then gathered her dignity.
She looked at him across the desk And said, "This will not beat me."
The months went slowly by, And chemo took its toll.
It ravaged her body, But couldn't touch her valiant soul.
A few years have come and gone, And she's as strong as ever.
God has surely blessed her. She's what's known as a survivor.
As she travels on through life, There are pink ribbons everywhere.
But now they're not just pretty things To adorn a child's hair.
They are a symbol of faith and courage, That she and others have
shown,
Pink ribbons to remind her That she is not alone.
So when you see pink ribbons, Remember why they're there
And silently whisper A special little prayer.
Please God, take away this dreaded thing And make us all aware.
The only thing we need pink ribbons for Is to adorn a small child's
hair.
Author Anonymous
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