Grand Haven, MI – (WGHN) – A monthly reminder to schedule your yearly mammogram.
Last week the Food and Drug Administration recommended that all mammogram centers must tell women if they have dense breasts that could put them at increased risk for breast cancer. This is huge news and will save lives.
On Thursday I had my yearly mammogram at the Betty Ford Breast Center located at Lemmon Holten Pavilion in Grand Rapids. Leading up to my appointment, it occurred to me that it had been a year since I heard the words “mass” on your right breast.” I was fortunate to have an ultrasound due to having dense breasts and that is where they saw what is called a spiculated mass. That’s a lump of tissue with spikes or points on the surface. I remember asking the Radiologist if it was cancer like it was yesterday. Although he could not confirm. he was 90 percent sure. A biopsy would confirm.
That call came during the Spring WGHN Radio Auction. I knew it was coming. They just needed pathology to confirm. Everything else is a blur. I remember leaving the station and heading home to call my family and get my life in order because things were going to move fast. Real fast.
A partial lumpectomy, lymph node removal, physical therapy and radiation filled most of 2022. I have chosen to not take medication as my risk is very low for the type of breast cancer I have. I will see my surgeon and oncologist every three months moving forward.
I am happy to report that my mammogram on Thursday came back clear and there is no sign of cancer. I almost don’t believe it. That’s pretty common in cancer patients. We keep waiting for the other ball to drop. We are always looking over our shoulder for cancer. I work through that by going to support group at Gilda’s Club in Grand Rapids.
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