Meeting with a Breast Specialist and Decisions, Decisions, Decisions {My Breast Lump Journey}
Black blobs.
Cloudy white spots.
I can’t seem to shake the images of my diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound films from my mind.
I’m still traveling along this breast lump journey of mine and I’m not quite sure how long, narrow or perilous this road will be as I head to who-knows-where.
Last week, I left the comfort of my small town and headed a few hours west to meet with a specialist at a breast care center about the new breast lumps I recently discovered. (I discovered a lump in the same breast just four months prior. Following a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound, I was diagnosed with a benign fibroadenoma tumor. Several weeks ago, I was diagnosed with fibrocystic breast disease as well.) The specialist, Dr. Gibson, examined both breasts and carefully reviewed the diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound films, along with the radiologist’s reports. Then he told me something that I wasn’t quite prepared for.
The benign fibroadenoma tumor diagnosis I received back in January wasn’t entirely accurate.
It appears that the only thing the initial diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound films reveal is that I have a mass in my left breast, which has continued to grow. Whether or not it’s a fibroadenoma tumor and whether or not it’s cancerous cannot be accurately determined unless a biopsy or removal of the mass is performed.
Translation: I have been carrying a mass in my left breast for the last four months and there’s a possibility that it could be cancerous.
I’m upset. I’m scared. I’m paranoid about the fact that this mass has increased in size. I’m annoyed that I was given a diagnosis that isn’t entirely accurate. But I’m still just as determined as ever to fight, to stay strong, to find some kind of silver lining in these dark clouds.
And I’m determined to keep smiling.
I’m heading back to the breast center again in couple of weeks to undergo another diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. Dr. Gibson needs to determine whether or not the new breast lumps are harmless cysts or new masses that need to be biopsied or removed.
Speaking of biopsies and removals, I’ve an important decision to make.
Over the next two weeks, I’ll need to decide whether or not I’d like to have a biopsy performed on the growing, unknown mass in my left breast or whether I’d like to go ahead with surgical removal of the mass as Dr. Gibson recommended.
I’ve undergone a breast lump removal once before. Pain won’t deter me. Scars don’t scare me. Neither does the thought of having deformed breasts. I just don’t care about having perfect breasts anymore.
I care about being here for every single moment of my children’s lives.
I care about growing old with the man I made a promise to four years ago.
I care about living.
Period.
I’m curious, if you were in my red Converse clad shoes what would you do? Request a biopsy on a mass that continues to grow, monitoring it for the duration of your life? Or would you undergo a removal of the mass instead?
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… Nearly 70% of all breast cancers are found through self-exams. They’re quick, painless and could very well save your life. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be performing monthly breast self-exams. You owe it to yourself, and the people you love, to monitor your breast health!
I’ve decided that I definitely won’t share the mundane little details as I continue along this journey. And really, I’m hoping that it’s a short little journey. That it’ll end soon and I’ll never have to go on this ride again, but only time will tell. Thanks so much for your support and for sharing part of your story as well. Best of luck to you as you deal with this lifelong issue.
Thanks for being such a sweet and supportive friend, Becca. My boob and I are forever grateful and lucky to have you as a friend! 
Kristi, I’ve never discussed my own “breast discharge journey” because it’s weird and uncomfortable but I will share it. I think women need to move beyond weird and uncomfortable to happy and healthy. But I will tell you I chose to have tissue removed from both breasts and I do have small scars on both breasts but I’m still here with my kids and my husband.
DaenelT´s last blog post – Dude, Did You Spray the Water Hose in the House?