Week One

On Thursday Nov 9, I discovered a lump in my left breast.
It was big. It seemed like I should have seen it before but I hadn't so I reasoned it couldn't possibly be cancer but a cyst or blockage or something else that must have popped up overnight.
I saw a random local doctor that day and was referred for an ultrasound and biopsy.

On Friday I attended the ultrasound at Benson's in the Modbury Hospital. I knew when the radiographer said, 'I'll just show these pictures to the doctor', that I was in trouble. They told me they wanted to do a mammogram to get a clearer picture and so I had a series of mammogram pics taken, and then some more, and then another. I cried.

I was taken back into the ultrasound room and a team gathered and took the required sample from the lump and from a lymph node. I asked a question about what comes next and was told I would be referred to a breast specialist.

The whole team at Benson's was amazing. So very kind, gentle and reassuring.

Yesterday, Nov 13th, I visited my local GP and she confirmed there were malignant cells in both the tumour and lymph node. I sorted work stuff and have two weeks off.

Today, Nov 14th, I had a core biopsy. Such clever technology! The local anesthetic was ordinary but after the 45seconds it takes to kick in (learned that from the Dr today!) I barely felt a thing. They insert a hollow (fat) needle and with a click of a gadget which sounds like a piercing gun, it takes a tube of tissue. They took three samples. Some ice packs, a panadene forte induced sleep and a wake up call from a friend with a bunch of beautiful flowers and I don't feel too bad at all.

Day off tomorrow. Thursday I get the core biopsy results and meet the specialist for action planning.

I got this!!!