SURGERY SCHEDULED 3.26.18. &: HOW the Journey Began, Part I.

Well…YES, That is an ACTUAL clinical image of my breast tissue. For some of you (Like me, approx 3 1/2 weeks ago)…it may look strange…but, if you are like me, I had NO idea what I was looking at. Others might be able to tell something??? Who knows??? What I can now tell you is what the affected breast looks like. Feel free anyone to make comments…they are more than welcomed.

I think that it now makes sense to talk about how this all came to be…How did I find out? When?, Why?, Etc.

So, I went in for my routine well woman check-up last year @ 40…and was told to go and have my mammogram. So, I did…and was called back after Mammo #1. WHAT!!! NO!!! (It is VERY noteworthy at this point to share that my grandmother (Mother’s Mother) died of brest cancer. It WAS post-menopausal. (That will, I think, come into play more later…especially since I am pre-menopausal. I had more mammogram images done…then called in for sonogram…and the radiologist calls me into his office and shares that, he has concerns wtih some suspicious calcifications, but given it was my first imaging (aka my “base line”) hee wanted to just make me aware and monitor.

PS- CAN I TELL YOU HOW HORRIBLE AND NERVE WRACKING JUST THAT EXPERIENCE WAS???

Now, at age 41, I schedule my well-woman exam/physical about a month ago. YES, I was overdue. PROMISE ME YOU WON’T DO THAT!!! I go in, have to have my IUD switched out (also very fun)…and go down for my routine mammogram.

SIDE NOTE: HAS ANYONE EVER EXPLAINED TO THOSE OF YOU THAT DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE OR WHAT TO EXPECT??? ONE QUESTION—HOW IN THE WORLD CAN MY TATA BE SQUISHED INTO A PANCAKE LIKE THAT? *more (fun) on that later*

I get my regular mammogram (much easier once you’ve been through it once BTW) and off I go. 2 days later…(like last time) I was called back. OMG! NO! So, I go back in for more imaging…and then waiting room…then, more imaging (mammogram)…then waiting room…then more imaging. Next up…nurse calls me back for a sonogram.

CAN I JUST EXPLAIN HOW WEIRD AND UNCOMFORTABLE THAT WAITING ROOM IS…and was it good or bad that they had on HGTV. Like we needed an “update” on “our house.” Get me?? HMMMMMMM????

It felt like I was in the sonogram FOREVER! It was more like 45 mins, but not so fun. Actually, not painful…juus stressful. As you can imagine…your mind is going a million miles a minute. Back to the VERY fun chick waiting room I go…while waiting for the radiologist looks at yet more images. (PS-BTW…wonder what the image count on my tatas is at this point???????). This time I get called back again…but, now for a sonogram with and to be performed by the radiologist, himself. After that 20 minute procedure…I was told that I would get out of the robe and gown and dress and they would be calling me into the radiologists office. I am called in…and he says to me, “Well, I don’t like what I’m seeing. The area we saw last year has grown significantly and there is a new place as well.” He was VERY diligent about showing me what he was seeing and said normally he would order a biopsy. But, (and as with most things with me) apparently the other new area was/is RIGHT behind the right nipple. So, he recommended a breast MRI. It was said that the MRI results would be up to 98%+ proof.

I scheduled and went in for the breast MRI (which if you aren’t aware and while I’m trying to help those of you that don’t) is face down. You have your breasts in coils and go into the machine. IF, anyone were to have this as I did, I would expect that you would additionally have it as a contract…meaning you get a dye injection by IV. It wasn’t great…but, not bad. Perhaps if you are clostrophobic, it would be worse…of course.

A day and a half later and after much worrying…I took it upon myself to call for results…(as you can imagine my stressing). I called my regular OB/GYN’s office. I asked for my Dr’s nurse and they picked up and called me by name. I knew that probably wasn’t good. He said…”well…..um…..”. AND I KNEW…this was going to be a ride. He recommended me to a breast surgeon/specialist.

I will leave the “story” there…BUT, update you…an official surgery date HAS BEEN SCHEDULED…MARCH 26, 2018. In the meantime…MANY congrats to Coach Rooney and his family…as we closed on their new home this week. Couldn’t be happier for them!!! We had an AMAZING trip to Orange County…(Also starting my “Coog Boots are Made for Traveling” Pics). My sister (whom I owe SO MUCH TO & ADMIRE) and Sage came out…& Coogs won the series aganst Cal-State-Fullerton…and, we took the little guys to Disneyland. Life goes on…

UPWARD & ONWARD

#GOCOOGS!!!