I found a lump. About 2 weeks ago. It’s more like a water balloon or a jelly fish in my left breast. I would have never found it except my boob feels like it my explode. I, of course, did what we all do, I Googled it. Found out that pain is usually more associated with a cyst so I decided to just keep an eye on it. The lump grew. I reached out to some girlfriends and they urged me to go to the doctor. I called my primary care, who happens to be a naturopathic doctor and they got me in Tuesday night. Two different doctors examined my lump. I’ve never had so many strangers touch and examine my boobs! I was quickly scheduled for imaging and blood work but nobody could get me in until Friday.

Yesterday morning Steve and I set off for the Cancer Center & Breast Health at Overlake. Everyone was incredibly supportive. I had a squishogram and ultrasound. Past medical procedures have left me somewhat terrified of entering medical facilities and things like ceiling tiles and blue crunchy pillows can send me over the edge. I’m happy to report The Breast Center has no creepy ceiling tiles and they have soft pillowcases. They also give you heated bathrobes! Bonus! After all the procedures were done they called Steve back so they could deliver the news. Breast cancer. Whhhhhhaaaat? No way. I don’t have the gene or a family history. How could I possibly be one in 8?

The good news is that they caught it early. It has not spread to my lymph nodes. The actual cancer is quite small and the reason I feel such a large mass and there is so much pain is that my healthy tissue is abandoning its usual spot and has surrounded the cancer to try to fight it. I love that I have fearless breast tissue that refuses to believe that it’s a battle it can’t win. Yea body!!! At this point this is all we know. Well, we know the entire mass needs to come out. We don’t know if the cancer is malignant or what kind it is yet (Thank goodness for spell check cuz I don’t even know how to spell some of these things!) I’m scheduled for a biopsy on Tuesday at 2pm and a consult with the breast surgeon on Thursday at 3:30pm to go over all the results and figure out a game plan. I’m excited to tell you that they said it was fine that I wear my favorite happy reindeer slippers to the biopsy on Tuesday!

After the results were delivered and tears were shed I stepped back into the dressing room to change back into my favorite Loved sweatshirt. I said a prayer and thanked my body for telling me to get help. I thanked God that my brilliant friends urged me to go see a doctor and I thanked God for Steve. My rock and my safe place.

We will keep you updated throughout the process. We thought a platform like this would be an easy way to get the word out when we have news to share. We so appreciate all the love and support we have received. While it is my breast that is actually affected the entire family is on a new journey. My sweet loving compassionate soulmate feels EVERY. SINGLE. THING. His unconditional love and support is a gift I am eternally grateful for.

Hugs and love to all of you!