In Sandra's Shoes

My journey to my surgeon's office on Dec. 18 had started in October when my gynecologist felt in a cyst in my breast during my routine yearly exam. I was surprised when she pointed it out because it was one I hadn't felt.
I do self exams every week.
She offered to aspirate it and I agreed. For nearly a decade, I had several cysts a year in each breast that had to be aspirated. The fluid was sent to the lab and had always come back negative.
But this time she couldn't aspirate it and suggested I see my surgeon to have it done in a hospital setting. No problem. I scheduled it. This time the aspiration would be done with an ultra sound and needle.
This doctor was able to do that and located the cyst and withdrew most of the fluid. She couldn't get all of it and said I'd hear from her when the pathology report came back. I left and went to work, giving little thought to it. After all, the other reports had always been negative and this probably would be as well.
A few days later she reached me on the phone at home and pointed out the report showed "atypical cells" and we should just watch it. Do a follow up in a few months.
She called back 30 minutes later and said she had changed her mind. I should follow up with my surgeon and do a biopsy. Really? Are you sure we can't just watch it? I was thinking of all of the projects going on at work and everything else I had to do.
No, she insisted. Okay. I'll get it done today.
It actually took me a few days but I did go in and the surgeon also recommended the biopsy. I had it done just after Thanksgiving and felt it would also show there was nothing. I was wrong.