Not Again!!

There is no good time for a diagnosis of breast cancer, but imagine having to hear that same news again after almost 10 years of being cancer free.

This time was different however, I had acquired a lot of knowledge in that 10 years and this knowledge I used for this second time around. I found a lump and got it checked right away, first mammogram showed all was fine, follow up ultrasound 3 months later showed irregularities, needle biopsy confirmed that it was malignant. Partial mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy showed that the cancer was caught in the early stages, clean margins on the tumor and no node involvement; stage 2 breast cancer and a weak 2 at that.

I was so incredibly happy to be told that news, it didn’t freak me out as I understood exactly what that meant for me – I had cancer but its wasn’t bad! Now that might sound crazy to some but considering my initial diagnosis of an aggressive advanced stage 4 breast cancer, in comparison this new diagnosis was great news.

Not sure what was worse – first time I had no idea what would happen, or what to expect, or for the second time – remembering what I went through and worried that it could all happen again. I am glad to report that this time treatment will only be hormone therapy as I have decided to have a full mastectomy and remove the source of the problem. So no chemo and no radiation.

So another surgery and some Tamoxifen, that is nothing compared to what could have happened it I had not be paying attention to my breast health and having that lump checked. Early detection was the key that made a huge difference for me.

Your breasts are talking to you what are yours saying?? Are you listening??