*Update: Well I am back home with a bunch of gauze in my bra, and a big ol' bottle of Darvocet. My doctor gave me the option of having the procedure done outpatient (i.e. - getting put under, having the procedure in the hospital) or having it done in his office under a local anesthetic. Silly me, I chose to have it done in his office. I figured, "He's a well-known/respected surgeon, how bad could it be?" Okay, so it wasn't really that bad at all. Except maybe for the scissor sounds. And the four times I had to ask for more anesthetic because, oh mama, it hurt! Anyway I am stitched back together and Steve is off for the day so I can sit around and not lift children. The doctor thinks it is probably a lipoma, but I will have to wait until Tuesday for the pathology results.
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I wasn't going to blog about this (mostly because I don't have a burning desire to write about my boobs and post it on the Internet), but it dawned on me this morning that this was a great opportunity to put a guilt trip on some of you! You see, I'm leaving in a few minutes to go have a lumpectomy. I found a lump in my breast last November, and I told my doctor about it, but he wasn't overly concerned. So, I listened to him, even though my little inner voice continued to nag at me. By January, it was still weighing heavily on my mind, so I scheduled a mammogram. The mammogram came back fine - - they could see the lump but it wasn't concerning. However, my OB/GYN sent me to a surgeon as a routine follow-up. The surgeon asked me to come back in July (another routine follow-up) so that he could clear me and send me on my merry way. I went to that appointment this past Monday, and to my great surprise, he found that the lump had grown quite a bit in three months. So, I am off this morning to have it removed and biopsied. I am choosing not to freak out, one, because freaking out doesn't do anyone any good. I also know that 80% of biopsied (is that even a word?) lumps come back as benign, but I am certainly not so ignorant as to think that "it can't happen to me". The point to this whole post? If you don't do a monthly self breast exam, you really should rethink that. If something doesn't seem right, tell your doctor.
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I wasn't going to blog about this (mostly because I don't have a burning desire to write about my boobs and post it on the Internet), but it dawned on me this morning that this was a great opportunity to put a guilt trip on some of you! You see, I'm leaving in a few minutes to go have a lumpectomy. I found a lump in my breast last November, and I told my doctor about it, but he wasn't overly concerned. So, I listened to him, even though my little inner voice continued to nag at me. By January, it was still weighing heavily on my mind, so I scheduled a mammogram. The mammogram came back fine - - they could see the lump but it wasn't concerning. However, my OB/GYN sent me to a surgeon as a routine follow-up. The surgeon asked me to come back in July (another routine follow-up) so that he could clear me and send me on my merry way. I went to that appointment this past Monday, and to my great surprise, he found that the lump had grown quite a bit in three months. So, I am off this morning to have it removed and biopsied. I am choosing not to freak out, one, because freaking out doesn't do anyone any good. I also know that 80% of biopsied (is that even a word?) lumps come back as benign, but I am certainly not so ignorant as to think that "it can't happen to me". The point to this whole post? If you don't do a monthly self breast exam, you really should rethink that. If something doesn't seem right, tell your doctor.
14 comments:
The unknown is always the scariest. Sending good vibes your way that it all turns all right!
Thanks for the friendly reminder Heather, ignorance is not always bliss. You're in my thoughts sweetie.
Please let us know when you get home. You're right - always better to err on the safe side! Still and all, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sending positive vibes your way. Please keep us posted and I'm praying for you!!
Praying for your recovery AND a clean bill of health.
I'm so sorry you have to go through this Heather. I'll be thinking about you and checking the blog constantly for news.
Oh, by the way, Chad has many lipomas and it's amazing how quickly they can grow. They started growing way back in college. It must've made you feel a little better that the dr. thought that's what it was.
Hey Heather!
Just reading my blogs now and saw this. HUGS (but not too tight).
My mom had cyst upon cyst in her younger years that always turned out to be nothing. I hope this is the same for you.
So glad you got it checked out! Thinking of you constantly and sending healing thoughs your way..
Thanks everyone...I am doing just fine (thanks to narcotics!). Now go do your breast exams!
I hope you are enjoying the drugs-what a scary day but I'm sure you are fine. Do something just for yourself this weekend.
Your description of the procedure made me weak in the knees, Heather.You were brave, but mainly you were smart to get the growth attended to.
You are in my prayers,
God bless and take care of you
Jacki in Cali
I'm glad your doc is optimistic that you have nothing to worry about! Take care! You're in my thoughts.
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