My Diagnosis Story

Everyone has their own diagnosis story. Mine may be the same as yours or maybe slightly different or completely different. Yet, it's my story.

I noticed a lump in my left breast in the Spring of 2003. I was concerned, due to my family history, but I think I was in denial too, you know...it couldn't happen to me. December 15, 2004, I had my yearly mammogram. Nothing unusual happened. Just the routine mammogram visit. Waiting in the lobby for my name to be called. When my name was called I went into the room, removed my top and bra putting on this gown that stays on about 2 minutes until you have the mammogram. Why you have to wear it? I have no idea. It doesn't stay on and it just gets in the way. Of course, the lump was in the back of my mind. As we were going through the questions I pointed to where the lump was located. The technician took extra views to ensure that she got the full picture. After a few minutes the test was over and I was on my way home.

A month later, January 17, 2005, I had an appointment with my Primary Care Physician. I wasn't there for anything breast related, I was having skin problems on my scalp and was trying to get that cleared up. While I was there I asked the doctor about my mammogram. He said it didn't show anything. I asked him about the lump and he said, " it's an inflamed milk duct". I asked him if I should be concerned since I have a strong family history of breast cancer. He didn't seem overly concerned, he told me just to "keep an eye on it". So, not thinking or being my own advocate, I believed what he said. Again, I think I was in denial at the time, it couldn't happen to me.

Thirteen months later, my new Primary Care Physician, Dr Wiens, gave me an order for my routine mammogram. It was scheduled for January 19, 2006, at the same place I've had my mammograms for the past 5 years. However, these results were a little different. Was I concerned? Not really! I've had results before that required me to have additional images. The only thing different this time is that I needed to have an ultra sound. So, I made the appointment and had the ultra sound February 6, 2006. When the results came in, I was told to have another ultra sound in 3 months. This was very unusual, this has never happened to me before! Now the "red flags" come up!

May 30, 2006, I had my second ultra sound. The technician took me back into the room, I had to take my top off and put on this gown. I laid down on the table and she put this gel goop on my breast and proceeded to take images. I could hear the clicking of her fingernails on the keyboard as she took the images. At one point she asked, "Have you noticed any changes in the lump?" "No, not really!", I said. Of course, that was the first time that I was really alarmed. I knew at that moment that I had breast cancer. The technician said nothing, but it's the way she "said nothing".

I was called by my doctor's office and told that I needed a biopsy. Wow, a biopsy! My heart sunk. Of course, now I knew I had breast cancer. I scheduled an appointment to see Dr. Johnson, a general surgeon and I arrived, Monday, June 19, 2006 at 11:00 am. While visiting with Dr Johnson, he was so confident that I did not have breast cancer. He was very kind, he stayed upbeat and positive. He asked me if the lump had changed and I told him no. He was very reassuring and said he thought it was going to be nothing, but deep down I knew it wasn't alright. He asked me when I would like to have the biopsy? I said, "Today!" He said,"Let me check my schedule." After a few minutes, he said, "We can do it right now!" What a relief! I did not have to wait for another appointment. Dr Johnson and his assistant got everything prepared. The doctor sprayed me with a freezing spray then gave me a shot of lidocaine to numb the area. He did a hollow needle biopsy and took eight samples. While taking the samples, the assistant said, "That one's green." I thought to my self, was that good or was that bad? As I lay there, I felt that was another clue that it was cancer. After the biopsy was finished, the doctor told me that the results would be back Friday and he would call me with the results.

Around 11:00 am Tuesday, June 20, 2006, Dr Johnson called with the results, not Friday, but Tuesday the very next day! I could tell he was having a hard time. He said, "Karen, it's positive, you have breast cancer!" I was numb! I thought I was prepared for those words, but I wasn't. I don't think anyone can truly be prepared to hear, 'YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER!"

Now the hard part I had to tell my husband, Doug. How am I going to tell him? What do I say? I had to collect my thoughts, I was literally in shock. Doug noticed on the caller ID that Dr Johnson called, so he came into the family room. I told him, "I have breast cancer." That was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life, tell my husband that I have breast cancer. Of course, we cried and cried! Immediately after telling Doug, I called my dad and sister and we cried together too. This was a very difficult day!

It was not until about a month later that I realized something. The day I had my biopsy, June 19, 2006 was the 10th anniversary of my mother's death and she died of breast cancer!