3 yrs ago I was scheduled to donate a kidney to a longtime friend and coworker. I went thru a year long process of physical testing which included a mammogram. I was 54 years old and always had yearly mammograms so I wasn't expecting anything abnormal. The hospital I used had the newest equipment that displays the result on a computer screen right away. I noticed the technician zeroing in on a particular area and even I could see tiny white specks all over my left breast. She told me there was something there but it was so small she wanted the doctor to read the results. After the doctor looked at it he said it was likely nothing but he wanted me to come back every 6 months for the next two years.
In the meantime additional testing showed I had scar tissue on my kidneys so I was not a suitable donor for my friend. We were both devastated but he did get a kidney from another friend and is doing fine now.
When I went for my last 6 months checkup at the end of the 2 yr period I was told the spots were larger and I needed a surgical biopsy. Results indicated invasive Ductal Carcinoma. The cells were growing aggressively and my best option was a double mastectomy.
I had a double mastectomy with immediate implants and just yesterday I had fat transferred from my stomach to put around the implants to give them a fuller and more realistic look and feel. People tell me they are surprised by my matter of fact attitude about the situation. I don't see it that way. I feel like my life was saved by my friend who needed a kidney. If it wasn't for his situation they wouldn't have found the cancer so early. I was lucky. They saw something abnormal, watched closely and when it changed they immediately ordered a biopsy. I'm thankful for the skilled technician that did the mammogram and I cannot stress the importance of this yearly testing enough. Just do it!
Atlanta, GA
