This Is My Story ~ Mammogram Part 4 – The Results

This Is My Story

 

If you have read my whole series of post this week, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to tell you my story.  

If you are just jumping into this series of 4 post, I encourage you to read the first 3 post in this series.

• This is My Story ~ Mammogram Part 1 – The Mammogram
• This is My Story ~ Mammogram Part 2 – The Ultrasound
• This is My Story ~ Mammogram Part 3 – The Biopsy
• This is My Story ~ Mammogram Part 4 – The Results

This is my story and I wanted to share every part of it, especially the emotional side of this story.  So lets move onto the results…

The Day of The Results

 

The day has finally come to get the results of my biopsy.  The biopsy results takes 3-5 business days to get back.  It is so hard to wait those 3-5 days to hear if you have breast cancer or not!

I quickly noticed that the closer I get to “results” day, the higher my anxiety becomes.  My sleep has been pretty much non existent, at best a few hours a night.

I have been incredibly snappy with my kids, not because I want to be that way, but because their fighting over who gets this or that just seems so petty with everything else going on.  I am absorbed with the fear that I might be very sick, that is all I can focus on, even though I try my very best not to go there.

I was told that I would receive a phone call in the late afternoon, most likely between 4-5 PM.  Even knowing that, I did not leave my phone for even a second the entire day.  I did not want to miss this very important call.  I need to know already one way or another.

Time is creeping so slowly.  I am incredibly grateful to my neighbor who came over at 2 PM and sat with me until I got the phone call.  She made me laugh, she distracted my thoughts as best she could…she was helping me in more ways then she will ever know.

The Call

 

My phone rang about 4:15 PM.  My heart was pounding so hard!  This is it…I answered the phone and waited to hear the news.

“Hello, is this Mrs. Cottis?” the nurse says, “We have your test results back are you ready to go over them?”

Inside I am screaming YES, but for some reason I could barely get the word out.  Please just tell me already…please!

“Good news, you do not have breast cancer!”

Wait…did I hear that right?  Oh my gosh, please tell me I just heard that right? I ask the nurse to repeat it again.  She calmly says: “You do not have breast cancer Halle, you can breath now!”

Oh my gosh, thank you lord, thank you…thank you…thank you!

I immediately start to shake, tears well up and I try my hardest to control them but I can not…

“Let me explain what it is that you have…”

Stromal Fibrosis of The Breast

 

“You have what is called Stromal Fibrosis of The Breast.”  Come again?  What is that?

Stromal Fibrosis is connective tissue in the breast that starts to grow fibrous tissue that starts to collect and form lumps. This can grow rather rapidly and it needs to be monitored because although rare (less than 5%), they can turn malignant. (source)

Women who have a family history of breast cancer needs to especially pay close attention to fibrous growths. 

I routinely do breast examinations and never felt a lump and also had two professional breast exams over the last 2 months and no lumps were felt.  

It is so important to have a mammogram when you reach an age that your doctor recommends.  Two years ago I asked if I should have a mammogram (at 38) and my doctor at the time said no, lets wait until you are 40. 

So Now What?

 

A routine follow up is usually done 6 months after this whole procedure.  My doctor would like me to come in at 4 months for another mammogram and ultrasound.  “Should I be alarmed about that,” I asked?

“No, we are just being extra thorough.” she says,  “Halle, this is good news, everything is ok.”  I sigh with relief and thank her for delivering this news.

I schedule my appointment for December (it’s a good thing, after 5 mammograms, 2 ultra sounds, and a biopsy I am sure my insurance deductible will be fully met) and hang up the phone.

My babies are waiting anxiously downstairs for me.  They want to know the news.  I tell them that mommy is going to be okay and they all squeal with delight and I see their infectious smiles return on their little faces. 

I have some phone calls to make to all of the amazing people (you know who you are) who helped me through this!

I am blessed…blessed for sure!  All is good!

Create Your Own Early Detection Plan

 

Please, schedule your mammogram today.  The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages.  Do not put it off.  It saves lives!

Click here to learn more about creating your own early detection plan from the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Thank you all for reading my words and allowing me to tell my story.  It has helped me in more ways than you will ever know and I am truly grateful to you all for allowing me to share this story!  Blessings.

image credit:http://brasforhope.org