In December 1999, I found a lump. My doctor told me it was nothing, in spite of my family history - mother, sister, 2 aunts, and a cousin with breast cancer. She ordered a regular screening mammogram which apparently showed nothing except "dense breast tissue". During the next few months, various family issues kept me from dwelling on it, but the lump grew to at least 2-3cm. In April, I went back to the doc. She said it was 1cm, probably nothing, but ordered a routine mammogram. I waited several weeks for that, then all hell broke loose. Ultrasound, needle biopsy, surgical consult, all that same day. Cancer. Big time.
I was 42. My children were 4 and 2 years old. We had recently moved to this state, and were living temporarily in a small apartment while waiting to move into our new house. I knew nobody. My family lived in England.
In June I had a mastectomy, and 2 weeks later, we moved into our new house. Then the chemo. began, along with every possible side effect.
It was tough.
Genetic testing proved I had BRCA-2. I suppose I'd always known I'd get breast cancer one day. That didn't make it any less devastating though. My other breast was removed, then my ovaries. I felt somewhat less female with nothing but a redundant uterus left. Still, I got through it.
Now, I'm a 9 year survivor. My children still have their mom.
My real message here is to PLEASE check your breasts yourselves.Trust your gut when you feel something different. Doctors aren't always right. Mammograms don't always show tumors, especially in younger women with dense breast tissue. Get a second opinion. Make yourself heard. It's your body; your life.
Take care of yourself. Be a survivor!
Yorktown, VA