Mammograms and breast health is a scary topic at any age. At 40, I was not prepared for the…read moreinformational learning curve, variety of specialist visits needed, and consequential time commitment required, to manage this aspect of my health.
Unfortunately, with a history of breast cancer in my family, I have had to push for screenings earlier than others choose to start. I had my first mammogram at 39, and became a mother, recently, at 40. This is not normally the order in which you do things. I am now facing fears my own mother did not face until I was off to college. Luckily, medicine is more advanced now, and by reaching care at a younger age, I am able to be on top of things. My grandmother didn't survive breast cancer, my mother has been in remission for almost 20 years, and I, hopefully, will benefit from a new generation of medicine.
I was referred here by the new ob I acquired this past summer, when I had to switch practices due to a c-section. My mammogram in Jul 2017, showed a spot they wanted to watch via a check-up in Jan 2018, but everyone whose care I was in, pushed back my follow-up, due to pregnancy and breastfeeding. Six months here, six months there, I am now a year-and-a-half out. I chose to breastfeed for the benefit of my son. No one could tell me what was happening in my body in the mean time; I have to own that choice. Now that I've stopped breastfeeding, I am told I have to wait another 6 months before an image can be accurate. Because my "dense" breasts required multiple images, and an ultrasound last time, I am told I will probably need an MRI this time. Sheesh!
As I enjoy motherhood, in the back of my mind I am terrified about how long I will be around for my dear son. While I realize I've not been diagnosed with anything, most people can understand that fear, which comes with conceiving the gravity of parenthood. Likewise, many can also understand the fear of any woman needing to get this frightening test.
Dr. Chang is the breast surgeon at this location, but we met with her Nurse Practitioner, Cheryl. Cheryl was apprised of my situation, and helpful informing me about, frankly, more than I could handle considering the existing learning curve I already had as a new mom. Basically, just as I had to take birthing, and "first days at home" classes for my baby, there should be at least optional educational classes offering an outline on the comprehensively complex animal that is breast health. Nonetheless, Cheryl gave me food for thought, and alerted me to the need for serious self-education, starting asap! The more you know, the better prepared you are, and while this topic is a total drag, if you've got the lady parts, you gotta take care of 'em!
I had had genetic tests done at my ob's office, specifically to see if I had any of the genes known to up my cancer risk. While I am lucky not to have the BRCA gene, I do have the ATM gene mutation. I have a slightly elevated risk of breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. This is where we get into the very adult duty of having to manage one's own health, with autodidacticism on many levels. Educate yourself about what to eat and not to eat, what meds/supplements to take or avoid, where to get care, how to pay for it, what questions to ask, etc. Genetic counselors are now a thing, as I have had to find out through my fertility genetic testing, as well as this part of my health. More specialists!
I am sharing all this, deliberately before I get test results, because it's the unknown that is most scary to me. I am told by my fertility clinic that I need to hurry up and have a second baby (like NOW), if I want one, because my endometriosis + age, will make it very difficult to have a healthy child if I wait. They also say the pill helps abate the endo from growing. So I ask my gyn for the pill but am told with increased cancer risk, they won't give me the pill because estrogen feeds cancer. But, when I ask to get my MRI stat so I can figure out what to do about a second baby, they say I too recently stopped breastfeeding and my tissue needs time to change back to normal, so I have to wait 6 mos after stopping for the test!
Hurry up and wait!
So here I sit, wondering if there is a problem that has gone without observation for over a year. Not able to take the pill to beat back my endo. Worried I will not be able to have a second child.
Cheryl came up with a plan with me, that allows me to get an exam, and regular mammogram sooner, just to be able to get some info, even if not completely great due to tissue still changing. She hooked me up with the right genetic counselor, and told me when to go back to go over everything and how to eke the MRI in a little early, so I can know what's up and act!
This is tough and private stuff to share, but I am hoping that since this place (thus far) has no reviews, I can be the voice of someone sharing for others, in case any of my experience can help!
