My Story

You all know me. So, you know I have been an elementary school teacher for 10 years and I also have 3 very funny (and cute) children.  I have stories. Lots of stories. Have I ever told you the one about the barking child? That's a good one. But, I never thought in a million years that what I am about to tell you would be one of my stories.

On October 15th, I found a lump in my left breast. It seemed really weird but I immediately thought it was related to the fact that I was still breast feeding Mateo. 3 days later, the lump was still there even after several massage, heat and pumping sessions. So, I put in a call to my OB/GYN but could not get an appointment to see her so they suggested that I see my general practitioner. I was in to see my general practitioner on October 22nd. After a breast exam, he immediately assured me that there was no way that a lump of this size (size of a lime) could be breast cancer because it would take decades for a tumor to get that big. Whew. But, given my family history, and my persistance, he ordered an ultrasound. 

On November 2nd,  I was finally able to to be seen and the radiologist did report that the ultrasound showed a solid mass "It is most likely a Fibroadenoma," she said. She ordered a biopsy. 

Getting in for a biopsy was a difficult and long process. After several phone calls made by both myself and Junior, we finally had an appointment right before Thanksgiving. 

During the biopsy, the radiologist numbed the area and made his incision. I watched on the ultrasound machine as he poked the mass several times and within a couple of minutes he informed me that he would not be performing the biopsy because what I had was a "hard ball of old milk." I was so confused.  Since I was still laying on the table half naked and they did not allow Junior in for the procedure, I probably did not ask the right questions. But, I did ask him if he was absolutely sure that it was a hard ball of old milk. He responded, "Can I tell you with 100 percent accuracy that there are no cancer cells somewhere in the outer perimeter of this mass? No." ( I forget what he said after that). He did aspirate some fluid and sent it in for testing.  Again, I left feeling pretty uneasy. I even told the tech that he was a complete DORK!  

While I awaited the results of the aspirated fluid, I consulted a Nurse practitioner at my OB/GYN's office, one that I have developed a close relationship with.  She advised that I push to be referred to a general surgeon, someone who sees this kind of stuff all the time. 

On Novemeber 30th, I was called in for the results of the aspirated fluid ( I am sure you are beginning to see the pattern of super-slow motion health care offered by this medical group). The Dr. said that it was "mostly breast milk." At that point, I asked to be referred to a general surgeon and he agreed that would be a good idea since this really was not his area. 

On January 11th, I went in for my appointment with my general surgeon and the first thing he said was "you have a lump and you have a history of breast cancer, I am removing the lump. I don't even need to see it to know that's what I am going to do." Finally, someone who at least acts like they know what they are doing!!!! After he performed a breast exam, he concluded that he would need to perform a core biopsy. That was done within 5 minutes. He measured the mass and told me that it had already grown 1.5 times since the ultrasound on November 2nd. He was concerned. 

On January 18th, he called to inform me that my results show a malignancy. I really did not hear much after that other than "oncologist, surgeon, cancer" etc.  

The next morning I called the general surgeons office to see if I could come in to discuss my pathology report and take a copy.  I obviously had several questions that I did not think of over the phone.  This is when I learned that I was being diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. Grade 3.