It all began in the deep dark recesses of my worrying mind. I was pregnant with my second child, Ella. It was 2006. I kept feeling little twinges and big twinges in my right breast. My OB/GYN performed almost monthly exams, and reassured me that it was most likely my milk ducts preparing to produce milk. As soon as possible after giving birth I had a mammography. I was 38. I didn't point out the spot I was concerned about...and now, years later I wonder if my having them focus on a certain area instead of relying on them to sort through the confusing white clouds on the x-ray would have found everything much soon. I'm sure I'll never know. The mammogram came back fine, and this being what I wanted to hear...I walked away. The second year after my second child I returned for another mammogram only to get the same result. The third year I insisted on getting an ultrasound together with my mammography and pointed and spoke and told and pointed over and over again that THIS, THIS is the spot they needed to focus on.
Sure enough...there it was.
Stage 1 Breast Cancer. A lump smaller than 2 centimeters...I was 40.
About Me
- Pamela's Posts
- I'm a Survivor. I've survived the 1993 attacks on the World Trade Center. I've survived the 9/11 attacks too. I was diagnosed with relapsing/remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2003, for which I took a number of immunomodulators including Avonex, Rebiff, and Copaxone. I was diagnosed with a Stage 0 Bladder Lesion in 2008, as well as a 'suspicious' polyp in my colon. Both lesions were removed without further incident, though I get frequent checks. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 grade 2 Triple positive Breast Cancer in 2009. I have undergone a Lumpectomy, Breachytherapy (radiation), and 6 rounds of TCH. I currently enjoy clean scans.
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