So it all started in June, 2011. I was very happy with life, working full time, a busy Mom to two young boys, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, when I found a tiny lump in my right breast. Just like a pea. It was so small, it seemed insignificant. But it was definitely there. And it scared the hell outta me. I was 34 at the time, fit, healthy, full of life and I just thought to myself "I don't want to die, I don't want Breast Cancer, I have too much to do with my life!". And I had no other symptoms at all. I could not sleep the night that I found that lump. I just had a bad feeling and I knew something was wrong. I cried, and panicked, and tossed and turned all night.
In the morning, I went to the doctor. The doctor examined me, asked questions, and said that it was nothing to worry about. The doctor said that if it was still there in 3 months time to come back if I was still concerned and I could get a mammogram, just to put my mind at rest. But truly, the doctor believed that it was nothing to worry about.
However, that day the doctor did express serious concern about a mole on my left shoulder which he believed looked like melanoma. So, I went in thinking I had Breast Cancer and came out thinking I had Skin Cancer! Dam, could it get any worse!!! So, an appointment was made with a dermatologist in Cork for the mole.
But the lump was still on my mind. I just could not forget it. It was still there. And something just did not feel right. My best fiend suggested that I should get a second opinion. And the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. So, I finally took the initiative, and rang the doctor's surgery requesting a doctor's letter for a mammogram.
And so, before I knew it, I had an appointment to have my mole removed at 12:30pm on Thursday 7th July, 2011 in the Bonds, Cork and a mammogram at 3pm on Thursday 7th July, 2011 in CUH, Cork.
Little did I know what lay before me.
This is a photo of me in June, 2011 before I found out I had Breast Cancer.
