On Thursday, I had my routine 3 month check-up with my oncologist. I've become nonchalant about these visits. Take my blood pressure, get a few vials of blood, visit the doc, let him do a quick breast exam, chat a bit and say "See ya". He asked if I was still taking my Aromasin (my 4th try at a drug in the hormonal therapy vein, but that's another story) He was pleased that I am taking this pill faithfully. I mentioned that in the past month I have gotten lots of small black and blue marks from no major bang-ups. He said perhaps my platelets were low. (When the lab results were in the next day, my platelet count was fine). So I hopped up on the table for the routine breast exam and he was digging really hard. Finally, he asked if I was going to mention the lump. I nearly shot off the table. "What lump?" I almost shouted. He placed my finger about 12 o'clock above my nipple on the only breast I have left. He immediately told me it was probably a benign cyst, but that he would write a prescription for an ultrasound.
I left the oncologist suite really ticked off. First, I was mad that I hadn't found it - I mean, I teach breast self-exam to medical students and to many women's groups. I do them monthly. Had I gotten lackadaisical? Second, I don't have time for this stuff. In 6 weeks my "baby" leaves for college, my folks are arriving so that my dad can see the surgeon up here for his colon cancer mets and my personal life is in a shambles. Next, I know the stats that IF you get cancer in the opposite breast, it is a new cancer and has no relation to the first cancer. But really, I felt like this was a sick joke.
Back in my office, I called the breast center to schedule an appointment for the ultrasound. The scheduling secretary told me 4 weeks. I thanked her and hung up. I called the nurse practitioner, who I work with on the support group, and pleaded for some slack. She got me an appointment in 4 days. So, I had to endure a few more hours in the office, when what I wanted to do was my own breast exam and find the lump myself. I did that promptly when I got home. Next, I had to plan lots of activities until the appointment on Wednesday. I HATE waiting. I can deal with facts and results, but I detest waiting.
