That’s right. I have cancer. Breast cancer.
I found out the day after I returned from Dragon Con. Certainly
hadn’t seen that coming, either, because I’ve had breast issues for decades.
Breast issues that had always been benign.
I went in for my annual mammogram back in July. It was my
first annual exam after having a biopsy back in January 2016 for a suspicious
shadow on my ultrasound (one that came back negative, but I was told to come
back in six months. That mammogram came out okay, so they put me back on the
yearly schedule.) This time they found something suspicious in the same area as
before. Calcifications, they called it. Probably from the previous biopsy, but
just to be sure…
After all the mess with Hubby, I went ahead with another
biopsy. Better safe than sorry, I said. Truer words were never spoken.
When it came to make the appointment with general surgery to
find out the results of a biopsy I was sure would be like all my others—negative—the
only open spot I could make was after Dragon Con. Probably just as well. Don’t
know how much fun I would have had with that hanging over me.
Surgery is scheduled for Oct 4th. I decided to go with the
lumpectomy, followed by radiation (which will start in November). Radiation
kind of scared me, what with my leaky heart valve, but I was assured that it
won’t be an issue. Whew!
Prognosis is good, though, since they caught it early. And I
probably won’t need chemotherapy (that’ll be determined after surgery, when
they remove some lymph nodes), since the cancer is so small. So small that I
can’t even feel it.
So… if it’s been over a year since you (or a loved one) have
had a mammogram, go get one now. I never thought this would happen to me and
I’m soooooo thankful I get the yearly exam. You just never know.
Stacy
7 comments:
Crikey, I'm sorry to hear that, Stacy, but I'm glad you've been on top of it and caught it early. Wishing you a successful and uneventful surgery!
I'm sorry! Prayers everything goes well with the surgery and you are healed.
Stacy, hugs, and I'll be thinking of you! A coworker of mine was diagnosed in April - had surgery in May, then radiation - and was declared C-free in August. (I'm sharing this because she said it encouraged her to hear of other people who'd beaten it.) May you do as well or better!
Thanks, Jeff. Just looking forward to getting it done with!
Thanks, Alex.
Jennette - I know a LOT of people (now) who have had it and survived. I will count myself among those soon enough. Because I am going to survive this!
You caught it early. You acted fast. And most importantly, you're staying informed.
You guys had a rough year, but I love how you stay a team no matter what. I pray it'll be over soon and you can get back to cruises and road trips.
Maria - Sooooo glad I caught it early. Sooooo glad I have my yearly mammogram. It really is a life saver!
So glad that you caught it early and you're right. Get that exam because we never know. Here's to you healing up and kicking some serious selling-books-ass.
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