The Day, my Mammogram experience and aftermath

Today is THE day. It's finally here. All the sleepless nights, panic attacks, indigestion, and worry can finally stop right?

I went to my appointment this morning at Tennova North Imaging Center. I was very impressed with this facility. They were very kind. When I went to the "dressing room" they gave me a robe that had been in a warmer. I thought that was a really sweet gesture. Of course I'm a furnace and I'm having hot flashes at any given moment but still very sweet. I had brought my son so I waited with him. They had a little refrigerator with tiny cans of diet coke and water. He thought that was cool.

The Nurse took my history and did a breast exam. She put a sticker where the lump was. I was then taken to get a mammogram. This was something I had not expected. I was told I was getting an ultrasound. It was not as bad as I had heard. Maybe I was in shock of having to get one, but it was not painful. They used the 3D mammogram. After that was done they took me to the ultrasound room. The lady doing the ultrasound was someone I was in color guard with in high school. It's always great reconnecting with old friends while your breasts are exposed and you're wearing zero makeup.

When she got done with the ultrasound she said she was going to speak with the Doctor and see if he would like to come in and do the scan with her. At this point I was starting to freak out. Was he going to come in and tell me they had found cancer? What was I going to do? She came back and told me that it was not cancer, it was called an oil cyst. I could have it surgically removed if it bothered me. Other than that I just needed to keep an eye on it and if it got larger to come back and to do regular breast exams.

I thanked her, and thanked her again. I took a breath as if I was taking my first breath as a new human being. I collected my things and my child and I was praising God out of that hospital. I am not sure what I am going to do about it, but a cyst is so much easier to deal with than cancer. I'm going to make an appointment at my OBGYN and see what he thinks. I honestly don't know why God is so good to me. I'm a spoiled brat. There are so many others who are so much more deserving of his grace. I'm praying for so many right now who have cancer. Praying for a cure. Please, ladies do your monthly self breast exam, it doesn't take long and it could save a life! I'm very thankful my friend told me her story because I never would have done the exam and found the cyst. I hope maybe I can help someone too. God Bless!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV)

More info on Breast Cysts: http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/forwomenfacingabreastbiopsy/breast-biopsy-benign-breast-conditions

How to do a Breast Self Exam:
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-acs-recs-bse

Health scare and being an obsessive worrier

My friend had a health scare a couple of months ago. She found a lump in her breast and she got it checked out and thankfully it turned out to be okay. She was telling me about it and when I was in the shower the next morning I decided to do a self breast exam. I don't do them so it's not a part of my routine. I found a lump. Immediately my heart skips a beat. I'm thinking to myself, see this is why I don't do self breast exams because I am a hypochondriac.

Last Friday I went to the Dr. to get it checked out. He told me I have fibrocystic breasts and some thickening, and he found the lump. He scheduled me to have an ultrasound this coming Monday. Well since this has all happened I have been a mental case (more than usual). I have worried myself into being sick to my stomach. I have been having major waves of anxiety and just paralyzing fear. There are so many scenarios playing in my head of how this could go down.

I am a Single Mom, so anytime a health concern comes up it freaks me out. What is going to happen to my child if something happens to me? He would be an orphan.

I have only told a couple of people. My best friend and the friend who had the breast scare before. I didn't tell anyone at church to pray for me because there are so many other people who I feel need prayer more and I don't want to take away from them. I know that sounds so silly but I can't ask for prayer for myself when my aunt is going through chemo for cancer right now. I feel all the prayer power needs to be on her right now. There are others who are also battling a lot right now so I'm dealing with this on my own.

I'm not really on my own am I? I'm kinda forgetting the one person who is shaking his head at me right now. God doesn't want us to worry. He wants us to turn everything over to him. I'm a worrywart so it's kind of like I'm holding onto it saying no God this is mine I want to hold onto it. I have a very hard time letting go and trusting God. I am going to try harder. I know I need some sweet peace to come over me and whatever happens Monday, well we will deal with it.



Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 KJV)

Ladies please do your self breast exams! Here is how: http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-acs-recs-bse