The Journey Begins
A little tip for y'all out there. Try to avoid mammograms on Friday 13th. Of course, don't put your health at risk by not having one. That would not be a good idea. But if you can go on another day, do it. Friday 13th is not a good day for these types of things. Believe me. I've been there.
The start of the shitstorm. Friday 13th July. A normal sunny day starts early with a referral for a mammogram. My GP was reluctant to refer me "You are too young for breast cancer. It is very rare in women your age. I am sure you have nothing to worry about. But we will just check - cross the I's and dot the T's. Belt and braces." I have subsequently discovered young women, although at less risk, are still at risk of Breast Cancer. If in doubt - get it checked out!
Anyway I digress. Lots of science stuff. A nurse performs the mammogram (which is ouch!). "Have a seat. It will be a half an hour wait for the results at least." Off I toddle to try and work the coffee machine. "Oh can you come back please?" Like immediately. No time for coffee. EMERGENCY. Like Code Red. A lovely doctor says "We need to do more tests." A painless ultrasound follows. Then a core diopsy which was not. The nice lady doctor says "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. We have found something." and I saw it on the screen in front of me. Flashing. Blinking. Black rage.
And I knew then my fate was sealed. I said "It's all right. It's just a cyst. I have had one of them before" I am such a specialist - of course I know what the hell a cyst looks like compared to a malignant tumour. "No I'm sorry. Its a mass. It is malignant. The biopsy will confirm it but it's 99% positive it's Breast Cancer".
I cumpled. into a heap. Quite literally. Physically. Having been through the cancer hell 10 years ago with my sister, I knew this was not good news. In fact, it was very, very bad.
That was the beginning of the journey.........