So much to do

Finally got the CT, MRI, Bone Scan and Muga scheduled. Actually, they had scheduled them already and each department just needed to let me know when. All four were scheduled on days I am working. Which would have meant asking for all four days off..... I managed to get each one scheduled during hours I am not working. WHEW.....

I wish I did not have to work during this journey.

I wish I had someone to help me thru this period of my life.

I wish I had someone to hold me and tell me that I will be alright.

If I started taking pictures of bras as away of tracking my own journey--long before I had breast cancer, then today this is how I am feeling :-(

Normally, I carry a few of the Sisters in the trunk of my car, just in case I see a good location to get photos. Today, however, this foto op found me, sort of. My camera died a few days before Christmas. When I saw this bra, I knew I had to go back to get the foto. El Jay had a cheap little camera and I can use it.  It was kind of dreary looking out. A bit windy. I really, really wished I had my camera, but.... I am at that place in life where i simply have to make do with the resources i have. Yes? I added contrast and upped the saturation and I kind of like the results.

Meeting With Oncologist

I guess I am finally getting somewhere. I met with the specialist today. I like her. I have a bunch of tests to take before I can meet with the surgeon.

The UNM Cancer Center is an amazing building and I missed my camera. I would have liked to document this stage of my journey. I did use my cell phone camera, but I have no idea how to download those pictures.

When I arrived and was checking in I was given this handy dandy bag to keep all of my important paperwork into. I look at it as my absolute favorite Christmas gift and I will cherish it. Everyone needs a UNM Cancer Center tote bag. Yes? Yes, I am being sarcastic.

I took this using Logan's camera and i included the other garbage from this appointment ;-)

Trudging Thru the Snow

Today. Biopsy.

I'll come back and update this later.

Yes, Mammagram

Today I had a mammogram and an ultrasound.

They found a lump and a swollen lymph node. They scheduled me for a biopsy on Dec 5th.

I took a couple of the Sisters for support.

Hmmmmm?

I had a diabetes check today with my regular doctor and told her about the lump and wanted to know if I had been scheduled yet for a mammo.

I do NOT like my regular doctor because she always makes me feel like.... my complaints are not valid. She brushes me off and rushes me thru.

Turns out the form for the mammo had never been faxed to the mammography place. She wasn't concerned. She gave me the speech about not needing to have a mammo every year--just every other year. And not needing an annual pap smear any more and, hey, while we are at it.... you do not need to do self breast exams either.

Oh... and just be patient, They'd FAX the form for the mammo and it would be scheduled.

And now... more waiting....

 A pink pachyderm.  The ABQ Zoo has a new baby.

Real Thing

Today.

I made an appointment to see a doctor at the clinic I go to. I think it is funny that her name is Dr. Bustos and she examined my breast.

She was an intern or resident. She thought it might be just part of my normal musculature, but she said she would order a mammogram. As I was getting dressed she came back to my examining room and said the doctor she reports to wanted to have a look. This doctor came in and confirmed it is a large lump, but she wasn't concerned, because she felt it would have been caught on my last mammogram and, therefore, thought it might be a cyst or an infected duct. However, she thought my last mammo was in July 2013.

"No," I said, "It was in July 2012."

I saw her face change. It was silent in the room and she said, "We definately need to have a mammogram and an ultrasound done as soon as possible."

I was hoping it would be part of my breast musculature. 

Figment of My Imagination

I lost my job 10-days ago.

Today, while in the shower, I found a lump in my right breast at about 3 or 4 o'clock. I was always told that a lump was the size of a pea. This is not a pea, it is a large marble. It feels huge.

It wasn't there two months ago, or was it three months? I do self breast exams every few months. This lump is so large and obvious that I don't know how I missed it before now.

Hopefully, it is nothing. Hopefully, it is a figment of my imagination.