1 in 8

Thank you for coming.

This is a very important post for me to write...

 a difficult post to share.

Today is National Mammography Day.

Make your appointment today if you haven't had one yet this year.

***********No excuses***********

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop 

invasive breast cancer 

in her lifetime. 

****************************************************************************

Cancer 

is not contagious.

but 

you can catch it

 through early detection.

****************************************************************************

I did.

I'm 47 years old.

I'm a wife, a mom, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a friend, the owner of this happy little company and

I am 1 in 8.

On August 17, just 2 months ago, 

I did a self check at home and I found a lump in my left breast.

 (and then I felt all of the blood in my body drain into my feet.)

I got in to see my doctor that afternoon and was told I needed a diagnostic mammogram

and ultrasound to determine what "the mass" was. 

When I called from my doctor's office to get my appointment, they were scheduling in 

mid September

but the scheduler told me I could call each day to see if there were any cancellations.

no way could I wait that long

I called 4-5 times a day every day.

On August 21st, I had the mammogram and ultrasound.

(Thank you from the bottom of my heart to whoever it was that cancelled that day!)

It was determined that I would need to have a biopsy to determine what this "mass" was,

 and I'd also need a second biopsy on a "suspicious looking" lymph node the radiologist saw in my armpit during the ultrasound.

We scheduled the procedure 

right then,

and then I went home and waited.

On August 28th, I had 2 needle biopsies,

one on the mass and one on the suspicious looking lymph node.

Then I went home 

and waited 

and tried not to think about it.

On September 1st my doctor called to inform me 

my lymph node was clear (phew!)

but 

the 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) peanut-sized mass was 

grade 1 invasive ductal carcinoma.

cancer.

My very first thought was 

I don't want to do this!

and I cried for a minute because the words really stung 

and

they confirmed a truth that I didn't want, 

but then they sank in and I pulled myself together...

grade 1- you caught this really early

*I am lucky. So very lucky* 

"You have cancer."

Certainly they are frightening words to hear, 

but I didn't feel fear. 

I honestly felt really pissed off and super inconvenienced 

and truthfully it hurt my feelings.

Yes, it was really crappy news to get, 

but of all the crappy news I could have received, 

this was the BEST possible crappy news!

I caught cancer...early.

grade 1- let's do this

On September 3rd, I met my surgeon.

I told her I didn't have cancer but my breast did. 

I told her I was mad and inconvenienced, but grateful that this is only grade 1 because this is fixable.

 She looked me in the eyes and said, 

"This is curable"

Her correction didn't truly resonate with me until almost a week later...

"This is curable"

She doesn't always get to say that. 

Telling a cancer patient you can cure them is probably the second most awesome thing a surgeon gets to say!

I can't wait for her to say she got it and it's over!

Because of my young age 

(oh, you have no idea how much I like to say that *wink*)

and the fact that my mom had breast cancer 9 years ago

(which was discovered in a mammogram that at the time she was told she didn't need,

but thankfully she scheduled it anyway because it revealed 3 masses that no one knew existed)

it was strongly recommended I have genetic testing 

to determine if I was BRCA gene positive. 

It's a simple blood test 

that takes 3-4 weeks to get the results.

So I did it.

and then I waited.

Initially, the type of surgery I will have was totally my choice. 

I could have a lumpectomy 

or mastectomy 

or a double mastectomy.

It's up to me-it's completely my choice.

But if I tested positive for the gene mutation, 

my choices would be erased

 There would be no question...I'd have a double mastectomy.

But there was more to it than just that:

If I tested positive for the gene mutation,

it would mean my family was at risk too...

my kids, my brother, my nieces.

(yes, men CAN get breast cancer too!)

While I waited, I assembled my team. 

(Yes, I need a "team" of doctors who I now refer to as my Special Forces.)

I have a brilliant cutting-edge surgeon who is one of the top in the country, 

and who is doing amazing things that will make early treatment so much better and faster and easier! 

Truly amazing things are coming soon!

I have an awesome radiation oncologist who I think looks like Mike Meyers, and is the perfect blend of science nerd, math genius and cool doctor,

and

 I have a medical oncologist who is just plain amazing, appreciates my spirit and sense of humor, and makes me laugh.

I am in excellent hands.

I'm not afraid of cancer, 

but cancer should be very, very afraid of me and my Special Forces.

Together we WILL kick cancer's butt.

On September 25th, I got my genetic test results.

Surrounded by my girlfriends, 

on a spectacular fall day in a beautiful place,

I got the call I'd been waiting for...

my genetic test came back negative!

I do not have the BRCA gene mutation 

which is HUGE!

for everyone!

***all the waiting for answers has been the worst part of this for me***

I can handle the 'what is', 

it's the 'what if's' 

that can make my head spin,

that make it so darn difficult to know which decisions to make,

that make it hard to make any definite plans.

and anyone who knows me even a little bit, knows I am a planner.

I still feel inconvenienced because let's face it, 

cancer IS inconvenient. 

I'm still a little bit mad too.

I don't deserve this but I have this to deal with.

But instead of hurt feelings, I now feel blessed.

I caught this early!

I will be o.k!

 And honestly, it could be something sooo much worse.

For me it's about perspective...

My children are safe and healthy and happy. Thank you God

My family is not in harm's way. Thank you God

My awesome husband has been by my side every step of the way. Thank you God  

I have an amazing team of doctors who are going to take care of me and cure me. Thank you God

And that's all that really matters to me.

There are a lot of things I don't think I'd be able to do, 

but I can do this. 

I've got this.

On October 28th I will have my lumpectomy surgery.

more waiting, but it's almost over.

My story is still unfolding.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Promise :)

Please join me right here tomorrow

for another very special post. 

It's super important to me that you be here for it.

It comes from my most grateful heart.

Until then, 

let's finish today the same we started it...

1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop 

invasive breast cancer 

in her lifetime. 

Today is National Mammography Day.

Make your appointment today if you haven't had one yet this year.

***********No excuses***********