For me, it was a six-month wait with doctors torn between diagnosing me with breast cancer or a fibroadenoma.
Yearly OBGYN Appointment
I went to my OBGYN appointment with no concern. Thought I was very healthy since I had lost 40 pounds and was now at an ideal weight. My doctor did the normal exam. When she performed the breast exam she casually asked me how long the lump on my right breast had been there. My response was "what lump?" I had no idea that I had a marble sized lump. The doctor said it was probably a fibroadenoma which is a benign tumor of the breast. The doctor told me I had nothing to worry about. I asked her many questions regarding this lump. She said if I was concerned that I should schedule an ultrasound. I walked out of the doctor's office with a phone number to call for an ultrasound and the name of a nurse practitioner. The doctor made it seem optional so I was going to take a day to let it sink in.
Day After my OBGYN Appointment
To my surprise, I received a call to schedule an ultrasound and an appointment with the nurse practitioner that specialed in breast surgery. The woman on the phone was rude and said I should have called to schedule the appointments sooner. I was confused because I did not think a day made a difference. The woman told me I was neglecting my health since the whole purpose of the ultrasound was to see if I had breast cancer. My appointments were scheduled for a month later.
Yearly Physical
My physical was two weeks after my OBGYN appointment. I was very comfortable with my primary care. When she asked me if I had any concerns about my health I mentioned the lump. She first told me breast cyst are common in young women. Then she performed a breast exam. My primary care instantly said I had a hard mass so it was not a cyst. She then explained the hard mass on my right breast could be cancer. She was shocked that I had to wait another few weeks for an ultrasound and tried to move up my appointment, but had no luck.
Ultrasound and Nurse Practitioner
I arrived early for my appointments. The two appointments were scheduled a half hour apart, which made me stress about whether or not I would make it to the second appointment on time. First I had my ultrasound and then the nurse practitioner. Checked in and anxiously sat in the waiting room. I was not taken on time, so I went up to the desk and explained I had another appointment following the ultrasound. Was told I would be taken soon. An ultrasound technician called a name that was not mine and no one from the waiting room got up. This led me to go up to the desk again. I was told my name had been called, but I explained there must be a mistake given the fact I had been waiting an hour without hearing my name. The receptionist was impolite and then read a name that was not mine and said you are here for the whole body ultrasound. I kept my cool. Told her my name again and that the ultrasound was just supposed to be of my right breast. The receptionist admitted to her mistake and called breast surgery to let them know I would be late to my appointment. Was finally taken back to a room and the breast ultrasound technician admitted she never had been told I checked in. During the ultrasound, the technician said she had to get a doctor. A random doctor arrived and told me given my age her first thought was a fibroadenoma. The doctor then looked at the ultrasound and told me fibroadenoma are smooth tumors, but mine had divots. The doctor told me she did not think I had a fibroadenoma and the chance I had breast cancer was equivalent to getting struck by lightning. A needle biopsy was scheduled a few weeks later to check for cancerous cells.
Rushed to my appointment with the nurse practitioner. I had mentioned what happened at my ultrasound appointment. She instantly to me I had a fibroadenoma without examing me or looking at the ultrasound. After she examed me she told me I could cancel the needle biopsy and monitor the tumor with 6-month ultrasounds. It was so confusing to be told I could have breast cancer and then a few minutes later that I was fine.
Mass General Appointment
A family friend worked at Mass General Breast Department, so my mother reached out and explained my situation. I cancel my breast biopsy and sought the advice of a doctor at Mass General. Brought my ultrasound with me for this appointment. The doctor looked at the ultrasound and told me she thought it was a fibroadenoma. She did not dismiss the idea of breast cancer completely. Instead, she explained its very rare for women in their 20's to have breast cancer. Then gave me three treatment options. The doctor explained the first option was not practical since I would have to get a breast ultrasound every 6-months for the rest of my life to monitor the tumor. Second treatment method was a needle biopsy. With the needle biopsy, we would at least know if I had cancer or not. The doctor explained a biopsy and surgery would have the same recovery time. The doctor suggested surgery would be the best option since the tumor would be completely removed and the tumor would be biopsied for cancerous cells. My surgery was a few weeks later.
Breast Lumpectomy
My mother drove me into Boston the morning of my surgery. Unfortunately, I was no strange to surgeries, but at least I knew what to expect. I checked in and waited for my name to be called for pre-op. Then I was brought back to the operating room and then recovery. The marble size lump was completely removed and the surgery went well. The biopsy results were expected to be in a few weeks. I was discharged after a brief stint in recovery and went home.
After Surgery
I suffered from discomfort after the surgery. The whole right side of my body was in pain for weeks. I felt very vulnerable since I could not do simple tasks like tying my shoes. I received flowers, plants, and food for family and friends my mother told. Luckily the biopsy came back benign. The reason for the fibroadenoma was hormone imbalance due to years of taking birth control pills. My right breast was sore and sensitive for months.
