Nine months ago I had my second breast ultrasound, and six months before that I had my first.

The First Encounter...

During my physical exam, my doctor was in the middle of reminding me of what to look for during a self breast exam when her fingers rolled over it. A small lump that felt like a marble in comparison to the natural lumps inside of my young breasts. Then the questioning began... Have you felt this before? Its possible, or not, since I had not been examining myself each month like I'm suppose to and since that was her first time feeling it. Did you breastfeed? No, my sweet little baby was given a pacifier and bottle in the hospital before I could get to her and she got nipple confusion. (why she was no immediately given to me after birth is another story for another post)

Ok, then that must be it. She felt that since the lump was near my nipple that I probably just had a blocked duct, but she wanted to make sure. She got the necessary paperwork together and I scheduled an appointment. I was anxious about finding out exactly what this lump was. Was it just a blocked duct? Was it cancer? If so, was it something that could be removed? Was I gonna have to lose my breast? What exactly was I going to be dealing with here? After the doctor viewed the ultrasound photos he didn't feel that we were dealing with cancer, but wanted me to keep an eye on it and come back in six months.

Ultrasound Revisited...

The second visit was much like the first. The blue and white gown opened in the front. The warm jelly. The wand circling and pressing on my breast. The clicks of the mechine. The reviewing of the photos and the same conclusions from the doctor.

Third Time Around...

Upon reviewing the photos, the doctor still has no real idea of what has nestled itself inside of my breast, but the good news is that whatever it is, it has remained the same size this entire time, which means good news. I have options. I can just monitor it. I can have a biopsy. If its a cyst, as my doctor thinks, I can have it removed by inserting a needle into it. I am curious to know what it is, so I may request a biopsy, just to be on the safe side, and if it turns out to just be a cyst I will opt to have it removed. My brain is much too impaired to remember to exam it religiously and I will just feel better knowing that it, and anything else that shouldn't be, isn't there. My family history gives me enough cancer anxiety as it is.

Now, having just said that, you ladies be sure to keep up with your breast health... not just during Breast Cancer Awareness month!