While having my yearly mammogram on April 19th, 2007 they found a dark spot on my left breast. They called me back in on the 26th of April for another mammogram and an ultrasound on the same day. An ultrasound is when they make you lay down and they take this thing, that looks like a microphone, and put gel on it. Then they run the "microphone" over the area that they are trying to see into it can see into all of the layers of your skin. It does not hurt. Dr. Small at Windsong Radiology said the it is probably just a cyst, but she wanted to be sure so I needed to have a biopsy. Then I went in on the 27th of April for a biopsy of the dark site on my left breast. A biopsy is when they numb the tissue they need to examine, make a small slice in your skin, and then stick a needle in all the way to the area that they are suspicious of, and take 5 or 6 pieces out. It doesn't really hurt, but makes these loud clicking sounds and you cannot move when they do it. They use a device that kind of slices the tissue from the suspicious spot. They they send the pieces to a lab to be looked at thru a microscope and send a report, called a pathology, to your Doctor with the findings. They put tape on the incision and it is all over. You cannot lift more than 5 pounds for the next 24 hours. Now you wait for the results.....
On May 1st, 2007, I went to my GYN, Dr Theodore G. Costich, for my annual appointment and received news that would throb through my mind until this very moment. "The results of your biopsy came back and the news is not good - it came back positive for IDC - Invasive Ductal Carcinoma ."
(In others words, "You have BREAST CANCER") I wanted to look around to see exactly who he was talking to, but was frozen because I knew that I was the only person in the room with him. My mind was saying, " Fight the tears, breast cancer, fight the tears, breast cancer, hold it in, breast cancer. "
From the very moment he told me, until the very second that you are reading this, "breast cancer" is what I hear after every third word someone speaks. You know how they say that your mind can play tricks on you? Well, this is a very, very cruel trick!!
A Life Altering Moment ......Being told I have Breast Cancer. This blog is about BREAST CANCER (not my personal life) - MY thoughts, feelings and what I am going through , step-by-step, to the best of my ability, to help you, and ME, understand. Click on the OLDER POSTS Button at the bottom of the page to start at the beginning!!!! ****Caution - REAL Photos Included****
2 comments:
Hi Frann,
It is Bj from the BC Boards. I just wanted to stop by.
I read your BLOG and have to tell you that you are going to be just fine! I know exactly what you are going through because I was wearing your shoes 5 years ago to date! My biopsy was in gthe end of May. It will be 5 years since my surgery on June 21st!.
Your sense of humor is what will really help you through this. Writing and journaling is also wonderful.
I am a fellow NY-er, though Downstate. I worked on many projects with the Blue Cross Blue Shield in Western NY(Buffalo) when working for BCBS in NYC.
I am now in AZ but will always be a NY-er.
I read your post concernig returning to work and you mention that you work for UPS so are concerned with lifting.
Has anyone mentioned the possibility of lymphedema to you?
You really need to know abouit it and avoid it like the plague. Nobody told me about it and I got it! It $ucks.
I am pulling for you Frann. If you ever want to write, please do. My name is Barbara Jo (Bj) and my email addie is Bjluvs2cook@aool.com
Have a great day, Bj
Hey girl--don't forget me! Call me if you need me to take you to your appointments. Just tell them your appointments CANNOT be during Big Brother cuz NOTHING takes place of chocolate dipped strawberries and popcorn. I love you so much and am always thinking of you. Marcie
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