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October Event Article, Breast Cancer Diagnosis at 36

© Colleen Madonna Williams

Dear Readers,

I am writing this to beg you to take good care of your bodies. Trust your intuition. If you think there is something wrong, there probably is. Why would I say such a thing? This is my story:

In about February of 1999, I noticed a lump under my arm and a lump in my left breast. I asked my husband to feel them. He and I both agreed that they did not seem normal.

I went to a clinic, and asked to be given a mammogram. Breast cancer runs in my family. I lost a maternal aunt to breast cancer. She was in her early fifties. She died within three years of her diagnosis.

I was told that at 35, I was too young to be worried about breast cancer. I was told that I should take some vitamins, eliminate all caffeine from my diet, and check back in a month. Well, I did as I was told, reluctantly.

Within a month, I had a urinary tract infection that I believe was a direct result of the extremely high dosages of vitamins C, B, and E that I had been advised to take. The lumps were still there, and I was cranky from lack of coffee! I returned to the clinic.

I argued with the care provider until she, (yes, SHE), agreed to send me for a mammogram. When the day arrived, I went nervously. I had never had a mammogram prior to this. It went fine.

Approximately one week later, I was told that there was indeed an abnormality and that I needed a biopsy. I made the arrangements. A few days later, I went to the hospital and got ready for the biopsy.

An ultrasound tech checked me out first. I told her about the lumps under my left arm. She ran the ultrasound over my armpit, and dismissed the lumps as being "just arteries." The doctor came in, and I underwent a stereotactic biopsy. I went home, a bit sore, but none the worse for the wear, really. Except... I just didn't understand why the doctor had not bothered to biopsy the lump beneath my arm.

Ten or so days later, my results came back. Noncancerous. Wow. Negative. Cool. But, some little voice kept nagging at me. They aren't right, it's cancer... said my voice. I now believe that voice was spurred forth in part by my dear departed Aunt, Sister Madonna. She was my aunt that died of breast cancer. A Catholic nun, and Principal, she was an educated, wonderful religious woman. I really think she was nagging me gently and without my knowledge at the time. Thank God. Thank you, Aunt Sister Madonna.