Carrie's Breast Cancer Updates

In 2010, after Ted was well on his way to healing, I took some time to do my routine health check-ups. My gynecologist made the recommendation for a first mammogram now that I had crossed the 40 year mark. However, my Primary Care Clinic disagreed. The resident that was seeing me backed up that disapproval with a consult to the attending physician. So, I waited.

There was no sense of urgency in either the recommendation or the disapproval. My gynecologist's physician's assistant ran down the list of key risk factors, and I only have one -- the fact that my number one daughter, Alene, was born after I turned 30.

In early 2011, I returned to my gynecologist for some other relief, and she scheduled my regular exam with the admonition: "I want to see mammogram test results before you come to this appointment." So, I complied.

A week after that first mammogram, I was asked to return for additional imaging. My gynecologist appointment fell between those two tests, but she seemed reasonably unconcerned. There were some calcifications that needed more attention -- but this was fairly common -- and 90 per cent of the time these were just areas to pay attention to over time.

The second mammogram was significantly more intense, and the results were immediate. There is an area on the right side that shows a large number of calcifications in a pattern and shape that bears following closely. It was requested that I come back in six months for another set of images.

That was May of 2011.

For six months we waited to see if it was a sword or just a little test hanging over our heads.

Meanwhile, there were other battles to fight.

Ted's health was stable. However, he was still unable to work. So we kept the fight for his Social Security Disability at the top of our list.

All the issues surrounding this event kept us busy with appointments, phone calls, forms and evaluations.

Meanwhile, the three girls were still doing school at home.

In the Spring, Esther had a terrible series of tooth space infections.

And I was working more than part time for most of the late spring, summer and fall.

Then, every other month or so, our main support for food and medical care would send us a problem. Since Ted's Heart Failure began, we have received Medicaid through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and Food Stamps from Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). Fighting to keep the care for Ted and the girls constant and adequate has been very difficult.

Maybe big and little battles are a good thing: Ted and the girls didn't have any chance to think about what my abnormal mammograms might mean.

On November 4, 2011, I had my third mammogram. This one was very specific. The radiologist read it right away and ordered extra pictures. I waited uncomfortably in a comfy sitting room for her final comments. "There is an area of concern that should be looked at. You are now scheduled for a biopsy next Friday" and "Here are some brochures about what we saw, and about the biopsy procedure."

On November 11, 2011, I had a stereotactic core needle biopsy on my right breast.

It was a Friday. Ted sat in the uncomfortable chair in the comfy room. I lay on a hard table and listened to Ted Dekker. Distracting, even more so than the refrigerator loud compressor connected to the needle. Needed the distraction! OUCH! It's over.

Waiting is the theme for all tests, is it not? Wait for the test to start. Wait for the test to be over. Wait for the test to be graded. Pray you are not waiting for the test to repeat. No? Good.

OK. That's it. We will call you on Monday with the results.

I hobble away. What hurts is not the biopsy. But the previously injured back that is now exceedingly torqued from waiting on that table. We go home to wait.