Ordered Steps

The last few days have been a very emotional and stressful time for me. But, out of my sorrow, I am rejoicing over how God is working in my life. I'll warn you in advance, this post is going to be long, but if you can, please stick around until the end. It will also have some intimate details, so please bear with me.

About a month ago, I felt a lump in my right breast. In fact, it was on Saturday, September 13th. I remember being very scared that day and I could feel a shroud of darkness come over me. That Monday, I phoned my doctor to speak to the nurse about it and find out what I needed to do. She asked me if I was about to begin my period, (which I was) and told me that they customarily wait to see patients with lumps after their period is over. So, she said, call us back in two weeks if the lump is still there. She reassured me that is was likely hormones that were causing an irregular lumpiness in my breasts and that it could possibly go away in a matter of days. Whew! That as good news.

But, after two weeks, the lump was still there. The lump was there, but it wasn't as hard and/or fixed in place as it was just two weeks ago. I was upset that the lump was still there, but glad that the composition of it felt as though it were changing - which from all that I've read about breast lumps - good news! But, nonetheless, since the lump was still there, the doctor agreed it was time to see me.

I couldn't get in to see the doctor until a week and two days later... a long time to wait when you've already been waiting two weeks. So, a little over three weeks later, I was into see the doctor. That was Wednesday, October 8th.

She felt the lump and thought is was nothing more than breast (or breast fat) tissue, or even possibly a cyst. She didn't seem concerned at all, but could detect the anxiety in my face and demeanor. So, to ease my worries, she scheduled me for a diagnostic mammogram. That was set up two days later on October 10th.

I arrived at my appointment at the hospital and was feeling really good about everything and was anxious to get the results and move on. I had the mammogram, which was not bad at all! The mammography tech was awesome and I felt totally comfortable with the entire process.

She immediately sent my results to the radiologist and he looked at my films right away. Unfortunately, the lump that was detected needed further evaluation to determine if it was solid or fluid filled, so he ordered an ultrasound. I had the ultrasound about an hour later and the doctor concluded that the lump was not fluid filled, so that ruled out a cyst.

He gave me several options that I would need to discuss with my GYN. They were: wait and see for about 3-4 months for any changes, biopsy to determine the cell content of the lump or complete removal of the lump. He said the lump was not characteristic of cancer, but wouldn't know anything until the tissue was sampled. Scary stuff, right?

So, I left the hospital with some decisions to make. I'll admit it, I was scared. But, since the radiologist said he didn't think it was cancer, I was relieved. I was also relieved that I had some options available to me.

I headed home, exhausted and needing to eat some lunch. But, on the way home, the mammography tech called me and said, "Erica, the radiologist noticed something in your left breast and he wants to get more images of your left breast." (Um... my other breast? What?!)

I returned to the hospital and they took me right in. I had four more images taken of my left breast and the doctor looked at films right away. He called me into his office and we went over the results of the new images. This time, the results were not good.

He found some calcification in my left breast, which is pretty normal. In fact, macrocalcifications occur in about half the women in the U.S. who are over 50, and in about 10 percent of women under the age of 50.

However, there was one area of calcification that formed a line/rod and he described it as microcalcification and "they are specks of calcium that may be found in an area of rapidly dividing cells. The residue of the dividing cells can appear as microcalcifications. When seen as a cluster (in the shapes of a circle, tear-shape or rod) they may indicate a small cancer. And about half the cancers detected appear as these clusters."

He told me I would need a biopsy to determine the content of the tissue in that area. This time, the only option he gave me was biopsy. Once the results of the biopsy were known, the next step, if necessary was lumpectomy/removal of the bad tissue. And of course, careful monitoring for the rest of my life.

But you know what? When I left the hospital this time, I was rejoicing in the Lord. Here's why:

• Women at age 35 do not typically get mammograms unless it is doctor ordered. Most often, the typical age to even begin mammograms is 40.
• I found a lump that caused my doctor to order a mammogram.
• The mammogram detected something in my breast that would have NEVER been detected in a breast exam, had I not gotten a mammogram.

So, you see? That lump in my breast could have quite possibly saved my life! Thank you Jesus for ordering my steps in this process!

My God protected me and I know that I will get through the next few weeks and months because of Him. I am so thankful!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.(Proverbs 3:5)

Now, a few words about early detection... please, please do self exams!! It is so important!