The Pink Tour Bus

I have an interesting story to share about the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Bus Tour .  (http://www.thepinktour.com/).  July 9 of this year I made plans to meet Tanya and Family at the Burnaby Village Museum and the Farmer's Market.  It was a wonderful day,  Tara met us as well.  I was looking forward to a fun summer family day.  And I was not disappointed!!  (but that is another story for another day)

While at the Market, I was approached by a young woman representing The Pink Tour.  She asked if I had toured the bus that was in the parking lot.  I hadn't.  She asked if I had had a recent screening mammogram.  I hadn't.  She asked if she could take down my information and have someone contact me to arrange a screening mammogram.  I said "SURE!".  Cause we all know I just LOVE having these girls squished and poked and prodded!  Who wouldn't!  So I signed up, and she gave Xavier and I a little pink ribbon to wear on our shirts and we headed on our way!

The following Monday, I got a call to book my appointment.  And would I like to have my mammogram done a the newly opened Jim Pattison Out Patient Centre in Surrey, seeing as it was close to my home?  Of course I said "yes, that would be fine".  They booked the appointment for the following Thursday.  4 days away.  What happened to it takes months to get an appointment? 

I was the first appointment of the day - so I was in and out of the clinic in under 15 minutes.  Two squishes a side and they sent me off with a lovely recipe card and the promise of a letter with my results in about 10 days. 

Didn't give the mammogram another thought, until I got the result letter July 29.  Letter said, findings were not normal and I should call my family doctor to arrange follow up.  I made arrangements to go to see my family doctor the week of August 8th as I had a number of other appointments the previous week.  Well, apparently, the new Breast Health Clinic had other thoughts!  On Friday August 5, I got a call from the clinic,  could I come back please for some more tests.  And could I please come in on Monday, August 8.  And be prepared to be here 3 hours.  WOW!  3 hours for a diagnostic mammogram?  How many pictures did they need?  I know my breasts are large, but really come on!!

Monday arrived, and off I went.  Checked in to the clinic, met with one of the nurses,  Found out it was going to be more than just mammogram.  That was a relief!  I got changed into the lovely hospital gowns and joined a waiting room of women, all armed with ipods, or books, or knitting.  Something to pass the time.  And I waited.

It was first a diagnostic mammogram, then I had an ultrasound.  Then I read my book, watched a cooking show on the TV, talked to a few of the other women there.  Then I saw the surgeon.  He told me that on the right side I had a cyst, nothing to worry about!  That was good to hear.  Then he told me that on the left side there was a 4mm "something".  And he wanted to find out what it was.  He wanted a surgical biopsy done to find out what the "something" really was. 

So back to the waiting room I went!  The nurse came to me and told me that there was no time that afternoon to do the biopsy, could I come back on Wednesday.   I said"Why not!" 

While she was off arranging that, another technician came and got me, whisked me away to an ultrasound room where yet another technician and doctor where waiting to do a Fine Needle Aspiration.  That is where they insert a fine needle into the "something" and take a sample for the lab to look at.  That was finished and off I went, armed with my next appointment.

Wednesday I checked into the clinic and had a wire inserted into the "something".  This was done by a doctor who quided the wire by looking at yet another mammogram.  Yes, that is what I said, another squish!!!   The surgeon, a lovely lady,  then froze the area, and using the wire as a guide surgically removed the tissue at the end of the wire.  That is where the "something" was.  But as luck would have it, there was no "something" at the end of the wire, just some breast tissue!!  So, the surgeon made a decision to just go back into the breast and take an area very close to where the the wire was and hope to grab the "something"!!!  I am glad to report that she was successful!  

The "something" was sent off to the lab and I was sent home, armed with an appointment for the following week to get the results.  The lovely nurse suggested that I bring someone with me to that appointment just in case.

Well!!! Just in case?  We were so totally not prepared for the results!  Phil and I both just stared at the doctor.  She told us the good news./bad news story.  Good New - we think we got it and it is very treatable, the Bad News - you have breast cancer.  WHAT???? You could have knocked me over with a feather. 

In a matter of minutes we had decided on a partial mastectomy, the date was chosen for surgery, we were loaded up with resource materials and headed off to the first of many pre op tests. 

In the days that have followed I have been to my family doctor for a chat and he filled out all the paperwork he has to do.  I have talked to my daughters (son is still away at camp).  Talked to my mother.  Told my sisters and brother.  Send emails and private messages to friends.  Informed everyone at work.  Oh yeah!  and run a whole gamut of emotions.   

I am trying to work through all sorts of crazy emotions.  I have laughed, cried, prayed, cried.  And at moments even denied that I am in the state.  But the reality is I have Cancer.  And now I going to have to figure out how to live with cancer.  I will be using my blog here as a journal of my journey.  Feel free to comment, support, suggest and pray! 

And all of this to say - THANK YOU Canadian Breast Foundation Lady for encouraging me to get a mammogram.  You may have saved my life!