It's Probably Nothing

That's what my doctor told me, but went ahead and scheduled a mammogram for me.

I couldn't imagine how this potentially 3-4 hour appointment was going to fit into my life. It actually fell on one of my mom's surgery dates.  I called and rescheduled.

Next, I had it scheduled for early December, but ended up with an intestinal bug and rescheduled again.

Finally, the week before Christmas, my husband had off and could accompany me and my still nursing toddler for the long day.

I ended up with an ultrasound, a mammogram, a fine needle biopsy of my tiny lump and a core needle biopsy of some suspicious clusters of microcalcifications. At each point I was reassured, it's probably nothing.

I got the call from the radiologist after my appointment.  The microcalcifications were nothing to be concerned about.  The fine needle biopsy from my lump was inconclusive.  She encouraged me to come back later, after the New Year, not to worry.

Being that my husband was still on vacation and I figured it would all be easier, I went back right away.  I had a core needle biopsy of the lump area to be sent off for more testing.

After each of these uncomfortable tests, I was told that the next step was to bind my breasts.  Each day at the clinic I was regularly confronted with the fact that I am breastfeeding.  I nursed before each procedure as well as we could.  I was cautious about drugs they might offer me.  Even the angle and placement of each needle and core needle (gun like thing) was to preserve the breastfeeding relationship.  Finally I declined the binding.  I didn't want yet another breast problem to worry about.