Pebbles’s Story (Lymph Node Removal)

Close call–that is what I like to call it. My brush with breast cancer all started with a mammogram.

It was 2014, and I had been living with type 1 diabetes for 5 years. I knew I needed to take charge of my health after both of my parents died from diabetes complications, and I had two sisters living with type 2 diabetes. It was in May of 2014 that I took advantage of getting my first mammogram. I’m glad I did. Otherwise, what happened next would have gone totally wrong.

It was a spot on my right breast, lower right quadrant. The radiologist explained that it could be a benign lump or it could be anything, but she did not think it was cancer. She suggested that I get it double checked with an ultrasound. I had used ultrasounds before when I was pregnant with my five children. I knew what to expect. I was also very very scared about what it could happen. Well, the ultrasound was done, and I had to come back for a biopsy. I was thinking, “Oh my God, it has to be the C-word!” I needed comfort and support from my husband and my adult children.

I was very afraid of what could it be. My niece was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008 and had a double mastectomy. I had a slight chance that it could be that. I had friends who’d lost their battles with breast cancer. I prepared for the worst.

The biopsy was done with help from the ultrasound. They found that thing, and it was an enlarged lymph node. A benign lump, and they got it all! It was great finding out afterwards that it was nothing more than a lymph node gone wacky! Since then, I’ve had normal mammograms!

I want to encourage all of you if you are over 40 to get a mammogram. It requires some squishing on your boobs, but it will be worth it. You might save your life!

Pebbles
Oklahoma
Submitted 01/24/2017

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.