Check Your Boobs

October is breast cancer awareness month but I became a lot more aware of my breasts this September.

During a breast self exam I found a small lump in my left breast. I was in the middle of my provera induced period and thought maybe a hormone imbalance was causing a change in my breasts. After consulting the hubs I'm convinced I should talk to my doctor so I sent him an email. My doc says hormones are not likely causing the lump and suggested I make an appointment at the breast clinic.

A day later I am in the breast clinic and my doctor not only feels the same lump as me, but finds a second smaller one hiding deep in the breast. Okay... well what does this mean? The doc sits me down and says that I am young and probably have fibroadenomas. He explains that this type of lump is harmless and I can choose to have it removed or leave it in and have it monitored over time. My immediate reaction is "Get it Out!" He obviously takes note of my reaction because later a nurse will remind me.

Okay so the doc is telling me I have two fibroadenomas. I have no clue what those are but am planning a night of internet research once I leave the clinic. The doc says I should get an ultrasound done to help determine if the lumps are in fact fibroadenomas. So now I've got an appointment to come back the next day for an ultrasound.

I'm back at the clinic for my appointment and the ultrasound tech asks me to point to my two lumps so she can mark them. I learn that my lumps are located at 8:30 and 2:30. (I guess that'll be important over time in case the lumps move at all.) The tech does her work and leaves to consult a radiologist. While she's gone I try and learn something from the ultrasound photos but they are a total mystery. She comes back and says the radiologist wants to consult with my doc before talking with me so no news for the day.

I get the call the next day. A np called to let me know that my lumps looked bigger on the ultrasound then they expected by the way they felt. (Ok, well what does that mean??) She also reminds me that I want the lumps removed no matter what they are and they should be able to do that, but would I like a biopsy first? Uhm, yes! So now there's going to be a biopsy. The np says they will call after the weekend to schedule.

Well the biopsy was scheduled and a grueling week of waiting ensued. I wasn't really nervous although I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I mean, I've never had a breast biopsy before, so I figured I would just go with the flow. I talked with a few people who had friends or relatives that went through the process. Everyone had positive results so I'm just looking forward to getting the biopsy done and getting results.

Well the biopsy was today. There were only a few small pinches, so not very painful, but there is some soreness. I actually saw the lumps on the ultrasound monitor but they just looked like round black masses. The doctor again suggested that because I am so young the lumps are likely fibroadenomas, but the biopsy will give a definitive result. When the dr took samples he also inserted a flag of sorts so that future doctors will be able to recognize that the lumps are not new and have already been biopsied.

So, the doctor said he should be able to call with results by tomorrow. For now, I'm chilling on the couch taking my tylenol.