How to perform a proper breast self-exam?
in Women's Health ·
I hope not....
Look, here’s how things stand.
It’s terrifying. Truly. There are moments when the fear just hits me—it blinds me.
But it’s only momentary, thank God. For now, I’m managing; I’m fighting to make those moments as brief as possible throughout the day.
Everything will settle once I go to the Mayo Clinic, get the sample taken, and wait for the results. Because regardless of what they find, it won't be tied to a million "what ifs" that multiply in a split second, followed by an endless chain of "then I'll..." Right now, based on nothing but a radiologist saying "I'm not sure," I am spiraling into uncertainty.
No, I won't back down. Not in any version of this story. I won't stop pushing for a definitive diagnosis, nor will I stop pursuing every possible test or treatment. And I certainly won't stop being who I am—a persistent one, living life with a massive appetite for it.
Damn it, I'm just scared right now.😢
Regarding the idea of preventative tissue removal... I don't know. I'm not really built for that kind of preventive approach. To me, prevention means assessing risk, educating yourself on how to minimize it, and staying on top of things with the most advanced diagnostic tools available.
I feel like you have to give your body a chance. You have to trust that your body won't just follow that same old path laid out by your ancestors.
Because, honestly, if you don't give the body that sense of faith—and if you don't support that through your own actions—you can't expect anything from it.
If things take a turn for the worse, I'll opt for the most intensive surgery without blinking an eye.
darkviper5, are the results after a needle biopsy actually definitive? I mean, if my report comes back clear, can I truly be CERTAIN everything is fine?
And how does a cyst—God, please let it just be a cyst—react to being poked? Does the biopsy trigger faster growth, or does it shift, or something else entirely?
Of course, I'll ask the doctors at the clinic everything. Hell, I'm even making a list of questions, like a student prepping for a final exam.🙂 Because when I walk into that room, I don't want the panic to make me forget. I'll ask them even the smallest, most trivial thing.
But still, I know there are women on this forum who have been through this exact battle, fought it, and are healthy now... so...
I'm usually such a seasoned, tough woman... and honestly, I don't recognize myself in this role of someone consumed by fear.
darkviper5, thank you so much for reaching out, for your time, and for being so thorough...
I’ve printed out your post and your advice so I know exactly what to demand and insist upon if the results aren't good. Honestly, I really needed this—to have someone who understands the situation, knows the terminology, and knows exactly which step comes next.
Thank you.
Carol Grant33, thank you for the hug...
I'm thinking about everything, and maybe you'll lend me a little strength if they take this little piece of mine away?🙂 You wouldn't even notice it was gone.🙂
(Damn, I'm cracking; look at all this nonsense I'm writing, it's totally disjointed.)
Sunchica, thanks.
It really is good to have you all.😍
Look, here’s how things stand.
It’s terrifying. Truly. There are moments when the fear just hits me—it blinds me.
But it’s only momentary, thank God. For now, I’m managing; I’m fighting to make those moments as brief as possible throughout the day.
Everything will settle once I go to the Mayo Clinic, get the sample taken, and wait for the results. Because regardless of what they find, it won't be tied to a million "what ifs" that multiply in a split second, followed by an endless chain of "then I'll..." Right now, based on nothing but a radiologist saying "I'm not sure," I am spiraling into uncertainty.
No, I won't back down. Not in any version of this story. I won't stop pushing for a definitive diagnosis, nor will I stop pursuing every possible test or treatment. And I certainly won't stop being who I am—a persistent one, living life with a massive appetite for it.
Damn it, I'm just scared right now.😢
Regarding the idea of preventative tissue removal... I don't know. I'm not really built for that kind of preventive approach. To me, prevention means assessing risk, educating yourself on how to minimize it, and staying on top of things with the most advanced diagnostic tools available.
I feel like you have to give your body a chance. You have to trust that your body won't just follow that same old path laid out by your ancestors.
Because, honestly, if you don't give the body that sense of faith—and if you don't support that through your own actions—you can't expect anything from it.
If things take a turn for the worse, I'll opt for the most intensive surgery without blinking an eye.
darkviper5, are the results after a needle biopsy actually definitive? I mean, if my report comes back clear, can I truly be CERTAIN everything is fine?
And how does a cyst—God, please let it just be a cyst—react to being poked? Does the biopsy trigger faster growth, or does it shift, or something else entirely?
Of course, I'll ask the doctors at the clinic everything. Hell, I'm even making a list of questions, like a student prepping for a final exam.🙂 Because when I walk into that room, I don't want the panic to make me forget. I'll ask them even the smallest, most trivial thing.
But still, I know there are women on this forum who have been through this exact battle, fought it, and are healthy now... so...
I'm usually such a seasoned, tough woman... and honestly, I don't recognize myself in this role of someone consumed by fear.
darkviper5, thank you so much for reaching out, for your time, and for being so thorough...
I’ve printed out your post and your advice so I know exactly what to demand and insist upon if the results aren't good. Honestly, I really needed this—to have someone who understands the situation, knows the terminology, and knows exactly which step comes next.
Thank you.
Carol Grant33, thank you for the hug...
I'm thinking about everything, and maybe you'll lend me a little strength if they take this little piece of mine away?🙂 You wouldn't even notice it was gone.🙂
(Damn, I'm cracking; look at all this nonsense I'm writing, it's totally disjointed.)
Sunchica, thanks.
It really is good to have you all.😍