May 2018...it is a month I will never forget.
I went in for a routine mammogram and basically my whole life changed. Literally.
I was reminded of all this as I listened to State Senator Kim Ward’s revelation that she is currently being treated for breast cancer.
Ward told Marty Griffin she had postponed her regular mammogram because of the pandemic. Turns out, that was a very common mindset for many of us. I too had that moment, when I thought….oh I can wait…..oh this pandemic will be over soon. I’ll get it then.
Bad choice….and if you’re still waiting, make an appointment today.
I have a family history of breast cancer. My mother, my grandmother and my grandmother’s sister. My sister died of the ever so rare, cancer of the appendix. I knew in my heart, waiting for the mammogram wasn’t a wise choice. In fact, because of my family history, I get screened every six months. So delaying that mammogram went against everything I knew and had been told.
And because of my diagnosis I knew better than many how important it is to get those regular mammograms. I know now why I was willing to “risk” so much by putting off the mammogram. I don’t have a problem with the actual mammogram. Yes, its uncomfortable…yes, it can be painful when the machine squeezes your breast. But it only lasts a few minutes. What I think gave me a reason for pause, is the waiting for the results. No matter how brave the face, waiting for the experts to read your scans, and give you the green light for another year is emotional.
Historically there have always been little “blips” every time I got my mammogram. But it became my routine. I have dense breasts, so they usually want to take a closer look, or get a 3-D mammogram. But the outcome was always the same. All good….all clear.
Until 2018.
Funny how some things you remember like they were yesterday. We need to do a closer look, ok if we do a 3-d mammogram today? We can squeeze you in now if you have time. ( translation in my head - this time is different…..). Then came a biopsy. It happened on a Wednesday and they told me I would hear something the following Monday - and my PCP left me a message on Friday. She told me to call her. I really didn’t have to, because I already knew in my heart what the results would be. I had breast cancer.
After that, everything happened quickly. I was referred to a surgeon, had an appointment, referred to an oncologist, had that appointment - in a matter of days, I had received a diagnosis, scheduled by surgery and had a pretty good idea what would happen. Then again, I had to wait. Wait for things to begin to happen. As I look back, the waiting is almost the hardest part.
My mother used to always say “ I can handle anything, as long as I know what lies ahead”…..but in this cancer game, you don’t always know. There’s the surgery….they think they got it all, but they have to check the lymph nodes. There’s the treatment ( in my case radiation), and you wait again…to hear “ You are cancer free”.
I am three years out, and I still take daily medications ( possibly for another 7 years), I get regular scans and blood work ( either every three or six months)..and again you wait for the results.
I am blessed. I KNOW I am. They say you can’t really say you are “cancer free” until five years out….but I’ve been claiming that since day one. I also know that many of my friends, including some that I have yet to meet has used “waiting” as an excuse not to get that mammogram done during the pandemic. Don’t do it. Don’t wait.
I’ll be making a champagne toast to celebrate my three year mark. I raise my glass to celebrate me….and you…because we’re not waiting. We’re taking control of our futures.