Where It Began

Last fall I actually found the lump on my breast. I assumed it was a cyst because I have had them in the past. Honestly it was months before I gave it a second thought. Come winter my gut told me it was something more but life gets busy and I had other things to do. Like most moms I put myself last, blew it off, ignored it and pretended it wasn't there. Fast forward to July, the lump had changed and wasn't getting smaller through out the month and was occasionally painful. I had just come back from Florida with Ava and I was having dizzy spells. I finally made a doctors appointment. The dizzy spells turned out to be from my allergies but while I was there I mentioned the lump. The doctor gave me a script for an ultrasound and a mammogram (which was way over due being that I was going to be 42 in a few months.) But of course it stopped hurting, I got busy and I blew it off.

I found the lump would hurt from time to time, mostly after I had a busy day at work. (I'm a hairstylist for those who don't know.) I am right handed, the lump is on my right breast and the motion of working would irritate it. The morning of September 1st I woke up in severe pain. Pain that caused tears, I have a very high pain tolerance so I knew something was wrong. I finally gave in and scheduled an ultra sound. I was able to get in that same day. After the ultra sound I received a text from a dear friend Katy asking me to please come back for a mammogram, I knew in my heart and my gut right there and then I had breast cancer. I had been in denial for months but I couldn't ignore it anymore.

Here's the thing, our healthcare system is broken. Both David and I were hairstylist for 18 years, both hard workers but the careers we had required us to purchase private health insurance. Health insurance is expensive, we are not poor nor rich but this was not something we could afford. Thankfully I have always been healthy and up to now it has been okay. So over the years and the months the number one reason I blew my own health off is because it was expensive. We make too much money to qualify for any assistance and not enough for it to be affordable. I am sure that we are not the only family in this position and it's scary place to be. So here I am knowing something is seriously wrong and I have no health insurance. Talk about being overwhelmed!! I can't even tell you the million emotions I was feeling.

After the mammogram was read it was determined the lump was suspicious and I needed a biopsy. You can't even imagine what I was feeling hearing these words. I'm not sure who felt worse, me or Katy who gave me the news. I am forever grateful for Katy for taking the reins and scheduling my biopsy for the next day. So the Friday before Labor day I had an ultrasound guided biopsy on my right breast. Let the waiting begin!