A Brief History

Now, with a little distance, I'll try to tell the story of my breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

I hadn't had a mammogram since 2005. Back then I was being monitored every 6 months for microcalcifications. Tired of the painful scans and wary of the radiation I did a little self-diagnosis (with help from google) and decided the calcifications were caused by the surgery I had had to remove a fibroadenoma. This year my ob-gyn finally insisted on a mammogram and suggested the new techology available at the breast center next door. So, my first mammogram in 3 years and my first digital mammogram was taken May 30th. The call back for more pictures came within a few days. After lots of magnifications, the radiologist called me a small room to show me the pictures. She was concerned about a new area of microcalcifications that was following a line, possibly lining a duct. She gave me the option of waiting 6 months or having a biopsy done immediately. I opted for a steriotactic biopsy which was done June 20th. Somewhat painful but not bad, I was glad when it was done. The radiologist seemed less upbeat. "We should have the results within a few days - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you" - sad smile. Hmmm. I knew absolutely nothing about breast cancer then. But things were about to change.

On June 21st we celebrated out 27th anniversary at 555 in Portland. The meal and wine were outstanding but throughout the evening I had this strange feeling, as if I were watching myself at the candle-lit table, laughing and holding my husband's hand. Life before and life after, cherish the before. The after will last the rest of your life.