My Hidden Facebook Timeline

I found my lump on August 4, 2012. It was the day that we were leaving for a two week vacation in Hilton Head to visit my parents. I called my mom from the car and asked her to set up an appointment for me with her doctor in HHI. Within two weeks, I had a mammogram, ultrasound, Fine Needle Biopsy and an initial recommendation, "Find a breast specialist at home. There seem to be 4 masses and they all to need to come out."

During that same vacation, my Dad and I took the kids to Orlando and Disney for a few days. It was one of the best vacations of my life. I kept thinking, "If something is really wrong with me, then you had better enjoy each minute." And I did.

Here's the timeline I didn't post on Facebook:

Headed to Orlando (posted from the car). My thoughts on fear were not just about the roller coaster. I was on a life roller coaster! And I do feel it's my job to be brave and teach our children  by modeling strong character. The fact is that I sucked it up and rode the Hulk. Not only because I wanted to be a good mom...but because I kept thinking, "Why not? JUST LIVE HOLLY!!!"

Two days later...knowing I would have a mammogram once I got back to Hilton Head. Read between the lines and my fear is RIGHT THERE!:

Keeping it together...my mammogram and ultrasound was scheduled for an hour after this golf tournament ended. I was nervous all day...but we still won!

The Unintentional Self-Breast Exam

I felt my first palpable breast lump in July 2012. When I woke up, my right arm was positioned over my head and my left hand was down my shirt and on my breast (yes, I realize how that sounds.) My middle finger of my left hand was directly on a small, hard lump just to the left of my nipple. I thought to myself, "well, that's not good." And then I forgot about it. Literally FORGOT! I was busy and tired and I just didn't think about it.

But then it happened again. 

And then a few weeks later, the EXACT same thing happened again. I woke up with my right arm over my head and my left hand down my shirt (yes, I realize there's now a theme!) Again , my middle finger was resting on that same small, hard lump. I'm not sure I would have found it upon a normal and intentional self-exam. It was deep and in an odd place. I remembered that I'd felt it before and felt dumb for not really doing anything. But I was glad that I was lead to feel it again. 

I was meant to find it!

That was on August 4, 2012. It was the day that we were leaving for a two week vacation in Hilton Head to visit my parents. I called my mom from the car and asked her to set up an appointment for me with her doctor in HHI. Within two weeks, I had a mammogram, ultrasound, Fine Needle Biopsy and an initial recommendation, "Find a breast specialist at home. There seem to be 4 masses and they all to need to come out." And so it started...

An Apple A Day...

Let me start this update by first noting that there is no conclusive evidence that cell phones can cause breast cancer. Nor do I have any evidence that I my phone is really to blame. 

Embarrassing Fact: I have been using my right breast to clean the screen of my cell phone for as long as I can remember. 

In August, a co-worker called me out on it, asking, "Why do you always rub your phone on your boob?" WOW! Talk about feeling like a weirdo! I told her that because it was a big, rounded smooth surface (by boob), it got the entire screen clean. I never really thought about it and I certainly didn't think about the fact that other people might notice. I blushed thinking about how many people have seen me doing this...it was totally unconscious. So I immediately changed my screen-cleaning habits and started using my thigh or knee. Not quite as smooth, but it does the job.

But ironically, it was only a few days after this conversation that I felt my first palpable breast lump on my right breast.

Hmmmm???

They do say that your shouldn't put your cell phone in your bra (links below). I would just urge you to use something other than a body part to clean your phone. You never know!

http://beawarefoundation.org/cell-phone-breast-cancer-update

http://www.electricsense.com/322/new-challenge-in-breast-cancer-the-cell-phone-factor/

http://www.thenhf.com/article.php?id=3128

http://www.emfacts.com/2012/05/breast-cancer-and-cell-phone-radiation-a-special-relationship/