The Lump

This was a normal 5am day of getting up to make hubby’s lunch and i found it. On July 3rd, I felt the lump that would send me down this journey. I never did regular breast exams- I just did not remember to do it. I would keep up with all my annual gynecology visits but not check myself. I was just minding my business getting things together in the kitchen that morning and my arm just grazed against a lump protruding on my breast. I double checked to make sure I wasn't imagining it and decided to call my gyn to get an appointment as soon as possible. I went to see a nurse practitioner where she felt it but didn't believe it was cancerous but referred me to get a mammogram because that is the only way to know 100%. This would be my first mammogram at 39. I was slightly nervous that it could be cancerous but I didn't want to jump to that conclusion so soon.

Here’s my hindsight thoughts:

Many people are being diagnosed with breast cancer younger. As I continued to tell people what I was going through, more people were telling me how someone they knew were going through it or went through it- a high number were skewing younger. Fortunately for me my lump emerged very visible because otherwise it would not have been discovered until the next annual. Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 39, my daughter will now have to get her first mammogram at 29!😳 It is recommended that your children are screened 10 years before the diagnosis. 

I'm no doctor so insert all disclaimers about talking with your medical professional regarding your health.  However, I am a supporter of checking your boobs monthly and keeping annual visits.