The Diagnosis:

I was set to see Dr. D on 5/3, about a week after he came back from his vacation, but got a phone call on 4/28 from his receptionist saying that he is suggesting that I get a mammogram done and bring the films with me to my next appointment. I rushed to make an appointment as soon as I could, but the only one they had available was 5/2.

5/2/11:

Mammogram appointment.  The technician walked into the room and asked, “Why are you here?” Uh, because there’s a lump…  What is it with this office?  First mammo ever: Done.

5/3/11:

Appointment with Dr. D.  Mom came with me, this time.  He called us into his office, and not into the exam room…. Dun Dun Dun!  Stage I breast cancer.  It’s official.  The mammo came back negative (because the lump was way higher up on my chest, and did not fit into the machine.  Dr. said they’re only about 80% accurate, I think… did not know this!) but the biopsy was positive.

I will never forget what he said next.  He said that surgery would be required but that he would not have to remove the whole breast. It hadn’t even occurred to me up until that point that there was a possibility that parts of my body would have to be removed! Thankfully, I’m still in one full piece: minus lump.  We talked about a possible surgery date for the following week then Dr. D said he might be available to do the surgery this same week and that if I was interested he would look into it. YES, sir! And, so, my surgery was set for Thursday, 2 days later!!!

5/4/11:

Pre-surgery testing. All the usual tests.  Blood drawn, blood pressure, temperature, pee in a cup, etc. 

5/5/11:

Today was my grandmother’s 90^th birthday!  Where was I at 6 am? At the hospital with my mom… preparing for surgery. What was the last stop before the O.R.?  The nuclear testing room, of course.  I got a very sharp and painful injection in my boob. It was a radioactive dye that would help my Dr. see if the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm.  I was told that he would remove a few nodes, do a quick test on them and if they were negative, he’d close up the spot and that would be the end of it.  But, if they were positive, he would have to remove them all from under my left arm… insert a drain, and then I would have to stay overnight at the hospital.

Finally, 4 hours later, surgery began… next thing I know, I’m waking up from the anesthesia. First face I saw: Dr. D.  “How are you feeling?” He asked. “Did you remove all my lymph nodes?!” was what came out of my mouth.  “No, we tested them and they were negative!”… Satisfied, I fell back asleep.

I slept for a couple more hours and then was released to go home.  Walking out of the hospital felt good.  I made a quick stop to my grandmother’s apartment for birthday celebrations with my mom, sister, and S.  I wanted her to see that I was ok!

5/10/11:

Visit with Dr. D who said that the surgery went well.  He removed the bandage/padding.

5/17/11:

Dr. Dr removed the stitches. He referred me to Dr. L, hematologist/oncologist.