Don't ask me why I felt I should say 'left side' in french, it just seemed to feel right.....or rather, left.
So I'm really not quite sure what took so long but today, being my weekly check-in with an oncologist, I finally got the report from the October 10th ultrasound done on my left breast, which was a follow-up to the one they did just before our UK trip back in June. The results, while thankfully not indicating cancer at this stage, are nevertheless still somewhat vague and they've suggested another repeat in 4 months.
Admittedly I had felt at the time, that the technician doing the exam was really very thorough. She could feel/see the same lumpy areas that I had indicated and confirmed at least a couple of those appear to be just small cysts, which is actually quite common and nothing to worry about. I was even relieved when she showed me on the monitor that the couple of areas previously identified as perhaps a lump, are in fact spots where two adjacent ducts run parallel/criss-cross, which is what makes them palpable and only when the ultrasound wand is moved in a certain way do you actually see where the ducts separate as opposed to seeing them as a single, enlarged unit. That said, they do appear to be a little dilated - but hopefully not because of any cancer developing in there.
Basically the final report indicates an "atypical cyst" in the 3 o'clock position which seems unchanged from the previous exam (potentially a good sign) but they also add that it's hard to determine for sure "in view of the difficulty in comparing ultrasounds done on 2 different machines by two different operators". Great.
They also note a couple of other areas that look to be cysts (per above) that seem largely unchanged in size, as well as the two adjacent (palpable) focally dilated ducts.
All-in-all my left 'lumpy-bumpy' breast has a few areas to monitor but at least nothing too scary is showing at this point. Sort of a relief, I suppose, but not entirely. I guess we'll see how things look next February - hopefully without being examined by a third operator on a 3rd machine simply adding to the apparent ambiguity. Either way, at least I know they're on it ..... so to speak ;-)
Understandably perhaps, I'm not feeling out of the woods just yet - but then, I also suspect I may never have that feeling again, since this is just part of my new reality. Tagged for the foreseeable future. It will always be there, in the back of my mind, with every check-up, mammogram and ultrasound. The legacy of breast cancer gently poking me as a subtle reminder to never again take anything for granted. Not that I ever really did actually, especially not since the very sudden and untimely death of my dad back in '96, my brother Graham's heart attack in '07 (at just 33 years old) or Vicky's breast cancer in '09. I've never pretended that things can't all change at a moment's notice. While I've endeavoured not to dwell on this cancer thing, for fear it would immobilize me if I let panic set in, I strongly suspect it will always have a spot, tucked away in the corner.
Ho-hum, said Pooh.
About Me
- Katrina
- Vancouver, Canada
- Originally from a small seaside town in the North of England, I lived and worked in France, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the Maldive Islands before moving to Canada in 1995 - where I intended to stay 'just a couple of years'. Well, I'm still here. I live with my fabulous (Canadian) husband, Lorne, in Vancouver's Westside, close to beaches & downtown. We opted for kitties over kids and are proud parents to 3 wonderful rescues; Mel & Louis, who we adopted in 2010, and little miss Ella, who joined us in 2013. I miss my family in the UK but luckily my sister and best friend, Victoria, lives just down the street with her family. I remain very European at heart and would love to move back there, even for a while. Hopefully I'll convince Lorne & the kitties one day. Besides, I'm fluent in French & German but rarely get chance to use either here. Outside of work I love photography, writing, making cards, working out, camping, kayaking, horse riding & most things really. I've always been an animal lover, support several animal protection organizations and haven't eaten meat in 27 years.
Just catching up on all your recent posts. The subject matter makes my heart constrict, and prickles start up just behind my eyes. But oh my god Katrina, your narrative is so great to read. I can hear your voice and intonations in your words, and I laugh, as you surely did while writing it. (Is it completely off-point to compliment your writing at this juncture? No, it can never be inappropriate to compliment someone's writing, can it?)
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry you're going through this. But I am delighted that you're writing about it.
*hugs*
Thanks Wendy - that's a huge compliment, I'm humbled. Thanks :-)
DeleteWhile I don't intend for all my postings to be about BC, it's good to catch up and put down some of the thoughts - and experiences - that have floated around in my wee head these past few months.
Your thoughts, good wishes AND supportive comments on my ramblings, are much appreciated. It's an odd ride, I'm glad to highlight some of the humour in all this and I sincerely count my many blessings - not last of which is catching this so early and for living among the world's leaders in cancer research and treatment.
*hugs* right back at ya!