There were no sensations, only a small palpable lump in my left breast. It felt like a small perfectly circular pea.
Within 24 hours I had a mammogram and ultrasound in Dakar, Senegal. The radiologist said that my mammogram was clear, the ultrasound showed a small mass that could be liquid or solid and I should wait for 3-6 months to see if the size changed and then repeat the scans. 80% of lumps are benign, but I had a gut feeling that I needed to take this seriously.
A close friend of mine immediately connected me with her mother (also a physician who had breast cancer). She recommended that I go to Biocare Diagnostics in Boston where I could meet with a physician who could consult with me and provide "one-stop-shop" services while I was visiting the USA. She booked my appointment for me on March 14th.
Mind over Matter
The next two months I thought about this lump quiet often...I noticed small changes in the fullness of my left breast, but not the lump itself. I was in Zambia for work and thought I was getting shingles as I was having nerve type sensations on my left side. I sort of hoped it was shingles, but had an unsettling feeling that this was all related to the lump. Despite the numerous distractions with work and life, I continued to question if the radiologist was correct or if I was overreacting and taking things too seriously. I was told by multiple people that it was nothing and I should not worry about it. I wanted to them to be right, but still felt that I needed a second opinion. I dreaded the appointment in Boston - but it couldn't come fast enough.
As I write this today, I realize that my gut feelings are going to be my navigator on this journey. What is your story?