It has been quite awhile since I last blogged here. That would be because life has gotten more normal, now that I am almost two years in remission from my battle with breast cancer. My three-month checks with my oncologist have been uneventful. My checks with my surgeon have been uneventful, becoming annual checks as of my last visit.
So far, so good. I am tolerating the side effects of the tamoxifen fairly well. I figured out that about two hours after I take my doses, one in the morning and one in the evening, I have a time when I am warm and perspiring. Once that is past, I am good for the rest of the day or night, My stiffness in my joints I am not sure are a side effect, as it could be my age . . . it could be my genetics, as I have parents with arthritic issues.
Before my most recent oncologist appointment, August 25, I had noticed a small lump just below my scar and just off the center of my chest to the left -- the area where I had the nastier problems to deal with. The small mass was soft. I could not feel any hard areas. I knew that I needed to be sure my oncologist was aware of this, as I seem to be a marvel at growing things -- some harmless and some not.
Both the NP as well as oncologist checked it out and thought that this was not anything serious; however, with my cancer issues in that area, they both thought that I should get it checked out further. I agreed. It made sense to be as sure as possible.
I really was not unduly concerned about this mass, and so I did not spend time fretting nor did I lose sleep over it.
Two days later, I had an ultrasound on that area. That went well. It seemed odd to be there in that place, as last time I had been there was when I was there in December 2011 for those images which first showed that I had a problem. That time, the technician had come back in to get more images, as she was sure the radiologist would want more. This time, there were no extra images taken. I took that as a good sign. I would hear the results from that test after Labor Day.
Later that day I received a phone call from my NP. The radiologist was not ready to give me clearance. He made several suggestions as to what to do next -- CT scan, MRI, and/or biopsy. My oncologist chose biopsy. Because of Labor Day and my not wanting to miss the first day of school, the biopsy was scheduled for September 4.
I did wonder if it would be the same type as last time. Would it be a simple fine needle aspiration OR would it be one of those core needles (ultrasound guided)? That type was not at all comfy, as each time before when the doctor was going for samples, it felt as if I was being shot by a staple gun. Multiple samples were taken.
This time I again found it all so surreal -- same nurses as before, same information, same room. I was familiar with it all because I had had this done before. My one saving feature was that I figured it would not be as painful this time because so much of the area around my scar is still numb. So, although I might smart slightly in spots, I probably would not hurt afterwards like last time.
I had another preliminary ultrasound. The doctor gave me a numbing shot -- not that I felt much of it. Then he got to work and took three samples. Because of the size of it, he was able to go through the same small hole each time. So, patching was minimal. I had taken the day off school because I knew that I needed to take it easy the rest of the day.
Yes, I did share my situation with some friends so they could join me in prayer about this. No, I did not lose sleep over this. I had remembered comments made at the biopsy that made me think things were well . . . . that they, too, thought this was more precautionary than anything else.
I had an appointment to hear the results September 8. BUT, the results were not yet in. I had to wait another day.
I came home from school Tuesday to a phone message from my NP that she had good news to share about my results. I called -- benign mass. YES!
I realize that this is my new reality, though. Anytime I develop some type of mass, no matter how small, it will be checked out to be sure no cancer is starting up again, I am all right with that. I realize that can happen. I also realize that the sooner something cancerous is dealt with, the better the outcome.
The other good news I received was that I now was going to be on a six-month plan for my appointments rather than three. YEA!!!!!
