In Sandra's Shoes

In just a couple of hours, I'll go for my first mammogram since my breast cancer diagnosis.
The "what ifs" are starting to go through my head.
What if they find something?
What if I have to get another biopsy?
What if..?
I know it's not healthy to think that way but I can't help it. So I've said a prayer, talked to my girlfriend and I believe I'm ready to face whatever the outcome may be.

Meanwhile, I continue to build stamina for the 5K walk on Sunday. I'm ready. And my husband and children tell me they are ready as well.
Thanks to everyone who corrected me on the distance for the walk.

I had forgotten some of the joys of getting a mammogram.

Walking up to the machine, having your breast mashed as flat as possible. The technicians are always pleasant and apologize for squeezing so hard. But it's just not fun.

Because I'm a high risk patient, I always wait to hear my results.

Well yesterday, I waited and waited and waited.

Finally, the technician told me they needed additional views of the left breast. The same one where I'd had the lumpectomy. But why? I wanted to know.

They saw a cyst. What! But not in the same area as the original cancer had been found. It's in a different area. And it was the discovery of a cyst that led to my original diagnosis so they wanted to be certain.

Okay, but what does that mean? The "what ifs" started going through my head again.

Now they needed to do an ultrasound and possibly aspirate the cyst. After waiting nearly three hours, can we get it done now?

They could but they couldn't get the referral needed from my primary physician. More waiting.

So I'm headed back today. I was on the phone first thing this morning pushing to get the referral. I've prayed. I've meditated. We'll see how it turns out.

No matter what, I'm walking with my family in the race for the cure on Sunday. The money that will be raised will make a difference. Hope I see you ont he parkway.

It's a cyst. Nothing but fluid, no need to aspirate. No need to panic. It's just a cyst.
Thank God.
It was hard waiting for the news, especially when the technician did the ultrasound, left the room to consult with the doctor and then came back and told me to get dressed. The doctor will give you the results, she told me.
And she came into the room smiling.
Relief.
I scheduled the next mammogram before I left the office for November. And I'm hoping for the same results. Nothing.
And now a news report says women more women are skipping mammograms. That's not smart. While it's difficult to get appointments and you often have to wait for months, it's worth it. If there is a problem, early detection is still the best route to a solution.