First Blog
Well this is my first blog. Where to start it has been a complete rollarcoaster ride.
I have no family history of Breast Cancer, so I was not at all worried when I felt a rather abnormal lump in my left breast when I was 27 years old. Went to a GP anyway just to make sure everything was ok. He referred me to a local breast specialist and sent me for an ultrasound. When I first went to the breast specialist at the local breast clinic I felt so out of place and felt like all the older ladies were just looking at me. I waited there for over an hour, I thought luckily I was not worried otherwise I wouldve lost my mind. He finally called me into his office asked me a coupla questions and examined me. Said at my age, no family history should be pretty straight forward but we need to do some tests and remove the lump as it was quite large and uncomftable for me at times.
So that week I had a needle biopsy and went back to work, my manager was aware of what was going on, but I didnt tell anyone else. My parents didnt even know. I thought its nothing why stress them out?
The following week I got the test results back and they seemed all clear. no cancer. But booked in for surgery to remove the lump anyway. That week I told my parents and the rest of my family and close friends as it was my birthday and I felt they needed to know now as everything seemed to be fine.
So then at 28 I went in for my lumpecomy. My husband by my side for the parts he could be. After the day surgery we stayed at my parents for a coupla days as they are retired and could look after me and keep me company during the day while my husband was at work. That whole week seems a blurr. So many pain drugs and so uncomftable. put pillows around me to help me sleep better.
The following monday 28.02.2011 went back to the breast specialist with my husband and his mum (who is a nurse) The doctor told us straight out that the lump did in fact have cancer cells in it. I froze. What? No way! Then as he was explaining everything to us I just broke down into tears. Cant remember much from that appointment. I was just thinking how am I gonna tell my parents? This will break them. all I wanted to do was get out of there. They booked me in for more tests that week. MRI, Bone Scan, CT scan, ultrasound, mammogram. Plus an appointment with a plastic surgen to discuss reconstruction as I was getting a mastecomy no matter the outcome of the tests. The tests were just to see if the cancer had spread.
Went into the next appointment expecting the worst possible outcome. But the outcome wasnt too bad considering. Yes I have breast cancer, Yes I need to have a mastecomy. Yes I have to learn how to cope with this for the rest of my life. It all seemed managable though. Seems like the cancer hasnt spread but I do have smaller lumps in my other breast so more tests again. I felt like saying just take both breasts off - then I never have to worry about this again...
So yet another biopsy and now all the nurses know my name and I know what to expect. LOL. Tests from that biopsy came back clear. They are not cancerous. But the other biopsy was wrong (or they missed it, whatever!) can this one be wrong too? Stay positive. their the experts and they seemed 100% sure this time. But still doubt in my mind.
Now I'm just waiting for my mastecomy, which is booked for 4/4/2011. Not too worried about being self concious about my breasts. My husband is wonderful he is my rock. Could not imagine going thru this without him. Its the people around you who make you who you are and the strong women I am I owe to my husband and my family and friends. Their support has been amazing.