Last Friday, I went to the local hospital for my annual mammogram. On Monday, the nurse practitioner’s office called me with results. The radiologist saw a lesion in my right breast that he wanted to examine closer with an ultrasound. The nurse put in the order that day. On Tuesday, the mammogram department called me with the same information and informed me that my nurse practitioner had put in the order. We scheduled the ultrasound for Wednesday.
I admit that I was apprehensive. This is at least the third time that I have had to have follow-up diagnostics after a mammogram. The last time I had the extra diagnostics, I had the ultrasound, a “needle biopsy,” a stereotactic biopsy, and finally a surgical biopsy to remove the papilary lesion. The results were negative for cancer. As one might expect, there was reason to be apprehensive. Still, I wrote in my prayer journal that this new lesion would be negative and all would be well.
Before I left the ultrasound room yesterday, the radiologist came in with the results: the lesion is a small cyst of the variety the “comes and goes.” I simply have to schedule my next mammogram in one year. This morning, the nurse practitioner called with the same results.
I am thankful. My great-grandmother, known in the community as “Ma Minnie,” died from breast cancer long before I was born. I have a dear friend who has recently completed chemo for an agressive form of the disease. It seems that everywhere I turn, I know someone who is in treatment or in remission. I am thankful for the advances in medical technology that allow for early detection and early treatment. The chances of survival are so much greater now than they were in my great-grandmother’s time. I am very thankful for the timeliness of notification. I didn’t have to wait days or weeks to get the results. I am thankful to the compassion of the technicians at the hospital. I am also thankful for my small circle of prayer warriors who joined me in prayer over this. In my prayer journal, I wrote that I came to Jesus to touch the hem of his robe, knowing that He would heal me. Prayers were answered. Amen!
As much as I dread the annual mammogram and any other diagnostics that might go along with it, I don’t take it lightly. I may go over a year between scans, but not by much! (This year, it was 13 months between scans.) This is something I urge all women to take seriously. Often, we put ourselves last, especially if we are mothers. We take care of others first, and sometimes our own health suffers. As I age, though, I realize that, in order to care for others well, we have to take care of ourselves well first.
It’s not October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month; it’s January, the first month of the new year. This year, put yourself first. Get that annual physical, PAP smear, mammogram, colonoscopy (mine is scheduled for February), and any other medical diagnostics so that you can be the best version of yourself.
Telling Stories 