Thursday, July 03, 2008

1 lump? No... 4

02. Juli. 2008 // Health. Something that often is taken for granted.

And unless something is wrong, chances are one doesn't think twice about it. But should there be SOME kind of disturbance or imbalance, often paranoia sets in. I believe the brain has its way of blowing things out of proportion. Maybe it's human nature to think the worst in most situations. Unless of course one is just pessimistic and can't see the good in anything. Then i guess there's no helping in the matter.

So the other night i woke from a restless sleep. I dreamt i had a lump on my breast. And immediately i lay there checking. And low and behold, i found one. How come i never noticed it before? It was the size of ones finger joint! For a second there i thought i was dreaming and wondered whether it was just my imagination.

It wasn't. And i had troubles going back to sleep.

I waited till it was a decent hour to call J and informed him of my findings. I spent the rest of the day distracted in class, wondering the dreaded "What if's".

J insisted i get it checked out but assured me it would be fine. So i made an appointment with some random Gynie for the next day. J drove down right after work to keep me company [THANK YOU SO MUCH!] And so he could be there during my appointment the next day, should there be any complications... both with the language AND should the dreaded What Ifs be true.

The next day, as usual, i went to class and was later picked up by J during my break.

We made our way to the doctor's office and waited till it was my turn. We sat in silence as we watched one of the patients' toddler stick random communal toys in her mouth. I tried to ignore her elder brother who seemed more concerned with grabbing our attention than the safetely/comfort of his little sister. I believe if you encourage their behavior [good/bad] they will CONTINUE to do so. I was in no mood and made no eye contact.

J browsed through a booklet about Breast Cancer. I drifted off thinking about of all sorts of things other than THAT.

When it was finally my turn. We were ushered to another room and soon met the American Gynie. I went into detail about my findings and was told to go to another room where the examination would take place. After a bit of prodding and having KY Jelly smeared on the suspected area an ultrasound was done.

"It's not my imagination right? There IS something there, right?" i said.
" Yes, i can definitely feel it."
"Oh".

Her findings were a cluster of cysts. What i felt was just 1, but after further investigation it ended up being 3. She recommended a mammogram. She said i don't have anything to worry about but "just in case" she'll make an appointment with the Radiologist.

SO after rushing home to stuff food in my mouth, we made our way to my 2pm appointment.

Ushered into a little cubicle with the number 2 inscribed in metallic on the front, it was then connected to the x-ray area. I stood half undressed whilst answering random questions about my past. Then allowed the lady to manoeuvre my breasts around like putty on a some kind of machine/apparatus.

4 x-rays was all that was needed to determine the outcome. It was over sooner than i expected and was back out in the waiting room.

Then was told i had to wait til the Radiologist returned and would explain the findings. Another ultrasound was needed. There i lay half undressed... again, whilst this stranger in a white coat examined my chest and went over the various areas.

I reckon i was his youngest patient for the afternoon because the 2 other ladies that were after me must have been at least in their late 60s.

CONCLUSION: 4 were found but was informed that they are benign [non-cancerous] cysts and have nothing to worry about. But have been recommended that i should go twice a year for an Ultrasound, just to make sure nothing else creeps up.

But i have another appointment on Monday with my Gynie... apparently she's going to go through the x-rays in detail with me.

I guess it's better to be safe than sorry.