The Beginning

I've never blogged before, so bear with me. I started this online journal so I can document my experiences over the next few months.

In August, I found a lump in my right breast. It was completely by accident and I brushed it off. A few weeks passed and I thought about it again. This time, I decided that since I hadn't had my annual OB/GYN visit, I would go ahead and schedule it. So, on September 11, I had my appointment and jokingly mentioned the lump to my doctor. He recommended a mammogram, just to be safe.

On October 6, I had a baseline mammogram. The next day, they called me to say they needed to take a closer look. So, on October 9, I went to the hospital to have another mammogram and an ultrasound. Well, the radiologist didn't like what he saw, so he recommended a biopsy and an appointment with a surgeon.

On October 15, I had an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy.

On October 19, I had my appointment with the surgeon and got the bad news. I wasn't really upset, just shocked. All I really remember are the keywords: malignancy, tumor, mastectomy, lymph nodes...

On October 26, I am checking into the hospital for a mastectomy. Due to the size of the tumor (it's 5.8 centimeters) the surgeon has recommended removing the whole right breast and all of the lymph nodes.

Today, I'm still in shock mode. I'm sure I'll experience a whole range of emotions over the next few weeks, but right now, I'm pretty calm.

This is all I know right now. I'll post again soon.