On My Soapbox Again

Forgive me if I get on my soapbox once again and push
about the importance of having a yearly mammogram,
I was reminded again of how important they are and how
fast things can change as I spoke with a close friend
today.

But, let me digress a little back to March of this year.
I went in for my mammogram and received a call back
concerning a mass.  I was not too concerned as I had
spoken with my oncologist about it earlier and he
indicated it was a cyst, but we would watch it.  So,
back in I went, only to be told that it was NOT a cyst,
it was a solid mass and that I would need an ultrasound
guided biopsy.

Each time I tried to talk to them about a cyst, I was
told very emphatically that it was NOT a cyst.  So
in I went and 7 tissue samples were taken.  Went to
set up my follow-up appointment and the gal there
said, "At least you've had five good years!"  Can
you imagine what went through my mind?  In the
next few days I about had myself dead and buried.

The day after the biopsy I got a call and almost
didn't answer it when I saw who was calling because
results were not to be in for three more days.  But,
I did and was told they had good results for me.
It was consistent with ruptured epidermal cyst and
there was no cancer.

Needless to say, I was very relieved but a little
upset that the people there had insisted that it was a
solid mass and not a cyst and would not even
consider that it could be a cyst.  They should have
been a little more careful in what they said and how
they handled things, I thought.  But, I'm ok and
that's the important thing.  And, I'm glad I had my
mammogram because now we have a marker and
they can just monitor things from now own.

Anyway, back to the main reason I'm writing this.
Spoke with a dear friend this morning who had
recently found out she has breast cancer and just
had a mastectomy.  A year ago everything was
clear when she had her mammogram.  This year
they found a mass.   She wasn't too concerned
when she was called back in because she had
been called back in before and it turned out to be
nothing.  But, when they told her she had
cancer, she and her husband just sat there in
stunned silence and total shock.  As we talked, she
said if she hadn't gone in for her mammogram and
had put it off, she probably wouldn't be here next year. 
As things look now, prognosis is good. 

So, please don't put off making that appointment.
Even though my cancer did not show up with
a mammogram (Inflammatory Breast Cancer), it
is important you be checked---even if it is a cyst.
You just never know!  And don't forget  those
breast exams.  If you have any question what so
ever about a lump, rash, etc., call your doctor.

Ok, I'll get off my soapbox now!