Biopsy Results...Finally

I took off work Friday afternoon. Ted and I tried to occupy our minds by having lunch, which I could hardly eat, and taking a short walk around a local park. My knees were weak. I couldn't wait to hear my results, but I was terrified of what I was going to hear.

As soon as we arrived at the clinic, we were escorted into the same private waiting room. My husband Ted was trying to destract me with some light conversation about the waiting room decor, but it wasn't working. All I wanted was to know, did I have it or not? We waited in the room for about 15 minutes, thinking any minute someone would walk in. My stomach sunk. I knew this wasn't good. I told Ted, "They're gathering all the Breast Cancer literature and info for me. They're gonna tell me I have Cancer".

The door finally opened and a doctor and nurse I haven't seen before walked in. Welp, I know for sure this is not good. The first thing the doctor told me was, "I'm not going to make you wait any longer. You're biopsy came back positive for cancer." I remember leaving out a breath. The nurse, Lynn, that accompanied the doctor told me it seems like I was prepared for these results. Yes, I guess deep down I knew, but who wants to think they have cancer? They tried to explain to me what kind I had from what they could tell from the biopsy. They hoped it was only DCIS, which the full term is Ductal Carcinomas In Situ, which means, they hope it's containd in the cell in my breast duct. They hoped it was only Stage 0. STAGE 0??!! I never knew there was a Stage 0! That gave me hope. Worst case it could be Stage 1, with possible invasive cancer, but they would not know until surgery.

The doctor asked me why I came in for a Mammogram??? I told her about my pulled muscle, and she was shocked! "Well, this definitely does not have anything to do with a pulled muscle!" she told me. "You must have a guardian angel looking over your shoulder, because it's very difficult to find it this early."

Isn't that strange. I'm told I have cancer, but feel fortunate at the same time?! It was a feeling I've never experienced. I'm not even sure I could describe it. My adrenaline was going, but at the same time I felt relieved. No more waiting. I know now.

Nurse Lynn set up an appointment for me to talk with a surgeon Monday morning at 9:00 am. Wow! They weren't wasting any time. But I was assured this was not a rush, and I could take my time deciding my course of action. Thank goodness.

Next step - How do we tell our family and friends?