I got invited to my first mammogram recently - the age group has been expanded to include 47 - 50. I didn't get that worried when I was called back as I entirely expected to have another mammogram, maybe an ultrasound and be told everything was fine. By time I got to having a biopsy I was starting to get a little worried. The 2 weeks waiting for results was excrutiating, but I never honestly thought I would be called into my appointment for the results to be told anything other than you just have a harmless cyst. When I saw the nurse come into the room with me and my husband I have to say I was getting less confident by the second. When the consultant told me I had a very early stage breast cancer I thought, did he just say the 'C' word? That only happens to other people, not me.
Diagnosis came 3 days before we were due to go on holiday, but luckily my consultant agreed I could still go as I have a very early stage breast cancer and a couple of weeks was not going to cause any problems in my case. I must admit that if I was all for dealing with it immediately, but we have had such a crappy year anyway we so needed a break.
I lost my fab Dad in February to pancreatic cancer and I don't feel I have had time to deal with that yet, let alone problems with my own health. Also, 2 days before my Dad's funeral my son told me he was transgender and was now my daughter (we as a family are supporting her, but it hasn't been easy). And now this!
I have a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal to look forward to this Monday. To say I am freaking out is an understatement. I had an operation 6 years ago now for an ovarian cyst and I am not looking forward to having a general anaesthetic again. Last time I had to stay overnight and was on oxygen for 24 hours afterwards. Let's just say I am not a small lady, and I am more than aware of the extra risks of having a general if you are overweight (better make that very overweight). I don't drink or smoke though, so at least I have something going in my favour I guess...
