Background--What happened before March 16

On Wednesday, March 4 I had my routine annual mammogram at the Good Samaritan Breast Health Center. They called me that afternoon to come back for more examination. On Friday, March 6 they took more mammogram images of my left breast, then did an ultrasound, then a biopsy.

During the biopsy, I'm lying on my side while a nurse, an ultrasound technician, and a doctor all work over my breast. Of course, to distract myself I start telling jokes. I suspect this is unusual behavior when, by the following Monday everyone at the Breast Health Center seems to know me and that I'm "the one that was telling all those jokes during your biopsy."

Monday, March 9 I learned I had breast cancer. The good news: We caught it VERY early, it's VERY small, it's not aggresive, and it's a very common type so they know lots about it.

The best surgeon for breast cancer is Dr. Nathalie Johnson, but she is extremely busy; I didn't want to go to her if I would mostly be seeing her associates, Physican's Assistant, etc. My amazing psychiatrist, Dr. Francine Siegal, pulled some strings and got me in to see Dr. Johnson one week after my diagnosis--and it's Dr. J I'll be seeing throughout, if that's who I decide to go with. Dr. Siegal also finagled me into an appointment with the best oncologist, Dr. Becky Orwoll. My appointment with Dr. J is Monday, March 16, and I see Dr. Orwoll on Tuesday, March 17.

While I wait to see the docs, I do a lot of online research, read a bunch of stuff the Good Samaritan Breast Health Center gives me, and talk to several people who have had breast cancer. I also send an email to my friends and colleages urging them to get mammograms and, if they have women in their lives they care about, encourage them to get mammed.

All week the responses to my email come in. I have never gotten so many hugs in my life! They really do help. I also get lots of emails wishing me well, offering help, and quite a few saying "I've been putting off that mammogram, but I'll call right now to schedule." I feel surrounded by wonderful, supportive friends.

On Sunday, March 15, I talk to my cousin Sharon who had breast cancer about 10 years ago. Turns out I have exactly what she had--and she's fine now. To my surprise, I learn that my three aunts all died of breast cancer! I never knew this! These aunts are my father's three sisters, and my cousin Sharon is the daughter of one of those sisters. I guess we just don't talk about what people died from. . . .I knew my Aunt Florence died from cancer, but I never even thought to ask what kind, and I don't know that anyone ever mentioned it to me.

All week, I surprise myself with how upbeat I am. I really do feel very confident that this won't be a big deal--I'm taking it seriously, but it just seems like such an easier thing to deal with than my knee problems, where we had dying bone, and didn't know the cause. Plus I had to do a lot of physical therapy for that, and I don't think I'll have to do PT for breast cancer! I'm amazed at how much humor I can find in breast cancer.