Today, begins Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yeah, you've heard it. Go get your mammogram. The test is not fun. What's the harm in skipping a year or two?
I'm here to tell you to make sure you get your kitties checked. I had a routine mammogram a year ago in November. A few days later, I got a call back. "There was some calcification seen on the image. Please make an appointment so we can do a deeper scan."
On January 2024, I went in to have the deeper scan. After, I was asked to wait so the radiologist could read the image before I left. I barely sat down when the radiologist came into the room. Calcification is common in older women (moi). She said if I were younger, she would have me wait 6 months to do another scan, but the calcification looked very suspicious. She strongly suggested I have a biopsy.
The biopsy was done on January 23 and two days later I got the pathology report: DCIS Ductal Carcinoma in Situ. Carcinoma. Cancer. Whelp, that sux. The good news though, it was caught very early and the second was the "in Situ.": abnormal cells are found only in the place where they first formed. They have not spread, and they rarely spread to other areas of the body.
A lumpectomy to remove a very small lump, 16 radiation treatments, and taking Tamoxifen for the next 3 years, was a speed bump in my life. On June 27, I was told I was cancer free.
So ladies, I'm the poster child for getting those routine mammograms. I had no clue anything was going on. No pain, no lumps, no bumps. Nothing out of the ordinary. Make sure you have your kitties checked every year. No excuses.
Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.
I'm glad your lumpectomy was successful and you're now officially free. Good Health!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteWOW CJ, like most of your loyal followers, I had NO idea. I was thrilled to read you are cancer free. Love the kitties in the cups. Thanks for sharing them and your story with us for T this Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteI didn't tell a lot of people. And I thought long and hard about sharing here, but the message needs to get out that early prevention assures the best outcome
DeleteI always get my mammogram. But I am excited to read that you are now cancer free. My sister-in-law died of breast cancer in 2019, and after watching her battle, I hate the thoughts of any woman going through it. It's a good thing you got yours when you did. Happy October and it is a happy one!
ReplyDeleteThanks to great technology, my cancer was detected very early. That's the key
Delete🥳🥳🥳🥳
ReplyDeleteIndeed. 🥳🥳🥳🥳
DeleteHad it done this April. All OK. I hate having it done - despite the lady is so nice. And despite I am thankful we have the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteYup, not a fun thing to do, but so glad we have the opportunity to be checked each year
DeleteI am glad you got checked in time! I have an appointment in November with my gynecologist and she will order a mammogram then. I am so nervous because my mom had breast cancer so I am also a candidate.
ReplyDeleteGood. I have one scheduled in November, too.
DeleteGood to hear that you have been successfully treated!
ReplyDeleteYes, that was a relief
DeleteI'm glad you had such a good outcome CJ and caught it early. Love your little kitties in coffee cups!Happy T day! Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteYes, early detection was a blessing
DeleteYes, very important and I'm glad you are now cancer free 😊. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and I love the kitty poster that you included in your post - super cute! Wishing you a very happy T Day! Hugs, Jo x
ReplyDeleteThe kitties are really cute stickers.stickers
DeleteI have had extremely bad experiences with mammography twice. My breasts can't stand being squeezed, it's more than just painful. There is a blog post about it - very detailed, because I did extensive research (also about interesting long-term studies on the topic and less painful examination methods): https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2019/08/thema-mammographie-erfahrungsbericht.html
ReplyDeleteAfter weeks of excruciating pain in both breasts, I decided after my last attempt to never have a mammogram again.
This summer, one of my friends told me that there was a new mammography machine in a diagnostic center near her that didn't crush the breast. I decided to give the machine a chance. I made an appointment and have the examination tomorrow. I really hope that it won't be as bad this time and that everything will be OK.
I'm glad you're cancer-free.
All the best, happy T-Day and happy October!
Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/10/ruckblick-auf-den-rest-vom-juli-und-den.html
I've never had a machine or technician that was that aggressive. That must have been awful for you. I hope your appointment is a lot more comfortable.
DeleteSo important to have our checks.
ReplyDeletePleased that all is okay and you are cancer free.
Wishing you a happy October.
All the best Jan
Happy October indeed to celebrate Ink's birthday which is also Halloween. 🐈⬛👻🦇🎃
DeleteJamie (jannghi.blogspot.com):
ReplyDeleteI got my first mammogram this past March and my first colonoscopy in April. I was nervous about both of them.