I had my annual mammogram the end of January. My doctor called me to tell me all was good. I did my monthly self-check the 1st of March and all was fine. Toward the middle of March, I was sitting reading on a Saturday and suddenly, for no reason, felt my right breast and discovered a lump. My husband could also feel it. I called immediately and set up an appointment with my doctor for Monday morning. He gave me a thorough examination and wanted me to get both a sonogram and needle biopsy. He called me a few days later and told me all was well. Less than two weeks later, the radiologist called me. He'd had time to really sit and review the outcome and said that things looked inconclusive. So, off I went to the surgeon where I was reexamined by her associate who informed us of the worst case scenario. When I went back I saw the surgeon herself who reexamined me and said she didn't think it was malignant but was a cyst that should come out anyway. A date was set up with the hospital for out-patient surgery and she took out a walnut sized cyst. It proved to be fatty tissue and was benign. I've been told by her that there was no way to have avoided it. My husband of 53 years and I feel very relieved. Especially when we later bumped into a friend who said she'd had a mastectomy because of breast cancer.

Nina Lees
Rancho Mirage, CA