Diagnosis- NEGATIVE!!

[Running Mommy]

WHeeww!!!
I dodged a couple of bullets this summer, which have only made me appreciate my health even more.
First scare:
I had the rogue ovary. Some of you may recall that in the spring I was having very bad cramping issues. I also do not get my period, and I started getting a very heavy period. Upon inspection by the doc she declared that one of my ovaries was enlarged. Many tests ensued, but the bottom line was whether or not I had ovarian cancer. Anything else would be just something to deal with. It was the cancer issue that was the biggie. Well I was poked, prodded, had needles stuck in me, many vials of blood drawn, etc. It was quite a process! I don't remember going through THAT much when I had cervical cancer, but I guess I did??
Anyway, I was sooo relieved when the ovarian cancer diagnosis was negative.
BUT then came ANOTHER issue. (Scare # 2 we'll call it)
In all the poking and prodding my doctor was doing she noticed that I had an enlarged lymph node in my arm pit area. I had never had a mamo before, so she sent me out for one.
Well wouldn't ya know it.... Something was awry.
I befriended the tech doing the mamo, and she showed me some spots on the screen. Usually they won't say anything, so I guess I was lucky. She said they looked like lymph nodes to her, but that I should expect a call back. This kind of made sense in a way since the doc had noticed that swollen one.
Sure enough, I got the call...
So back I went to be poked, prodded, ultrasounded, needle biopsy'd, and of course... MORE blood drawn.
The ultrasound chick had the bedside manner of a stump, and the radiologist she called in wasn't much better!
At one point she was shoving the ultrasound wand into me so hard I actually said "OOWW". I have a HUGE pain threshold, so when I say OW, it HURTS!
OY!
So I have spent the better part of the last two weeks in fear that I seriously may have breast cancer. For some reason it really got to me. I have been on edge, near tears constantly, could not sleep, and actually got so stressed out the other day that I threw up.
I'm usually very thick skinned. But this one had me as fragile as an antique tea cup.
Well this morning my cell rang. I saw that it was my doctors office. I was SHAKING as I picked up the call. To my relief it was her telling me that the tests came back negative. I burst into tears. I think that confused her, but I was just soo relieved!
There are definetley spots in there that she wants to keep her eye on. She also wants to keep an eye on my ovaries, SOOO I'll be back for tests again in 6 months. This is just to see if anything has changed.

Post script:
I think that this whole ordeal gave me a new perspective on things. First of all my husband and I have been working in jobs that we HATE, with the desire to get out on our own, Chart our own path. I think this was a wake up call reminding me of my motto "You only get one chance at life. Do what you love, and live life to the fullest. Have no regrets". I need to listen to my own motto! I have had an idea for a triathlon t-shirt company for about 4 years now. I think I'm going to finally go after my dream.

Also, I have always done the (reebok) subaru womens tri in San Diego that benefits ovarian cancer, and felt near to the cause because of my past with the cervical cancer. Last year I ran with a survivor. She was a great lady, and I felt honored to be running with her. When I was going through the tests I thought about her alot. Tonight I signed up for this years race.

But like I said, the breast cancer thing really got to me. WHY I thought that would be worse than ovarian cancer (ovarian is way scarier) I have no idea? Maybe it was just the culmination of everything?
People always used to ask me if I ever did the "race for the cure" races. I always said "no. they aren't really my thing". Nothing against the charity, it just wasn't for me. But I have a new appreciation for them now. I'll look at them with different "colored" glasses, if ya know what I mean.
I just kept thinking "I might be one of those women at the races wearing a "survivor" cap. If I'm lucky"... It was very surreal. I guess I never ever imagined that *I* would get breast cancer.
But luckily, I DIDN'T, so I'm counting my blessings. I really am lucky to have my health, my family, and such great friends.
What more could I need??

Thanks for reading, and thanks for all your well wishes. It means a lot!
Please count your blessings, and don't forget to tell a loved one that you LOVE them. Ya just never know.

Denise

[mimitabby]

Geez Denise, sorry you had to go through all that. Enjoy life. I agree.

[KnottedYet]

Whew. What a relief.

Cancer sucks. My thanks to everyone who does any sort of "race" for any sort of "cure."

Danskin Tri is really a breast cancer tri, and I felt odd that they let me race as a "survivor" when my cancer was something else. But I'll tell you all that the incredible support Team Survivor got when we went up on stage during the tri pep talk on packet pick-up day was utterly amazing.

Thank you to everyone.

And do what you love! I'm gradually learning that life is just plain scary, and the things that scare me the most also teach me the most. I'm not quite as brave as you yet (I do watch the video!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGFx4xWnnnI Love it!!), but I'm working on it!

Triathlon t-shirts? I want one!

[Trek420]

Whew! What good news. But then one thinks of those for whom the news is not good. I know I've done multiple ALC's but cancer has cut a swath through my family and I had a minor (caught waaaay early) scare with skin cancer recently.

How 'bout this California tri that benefits the Breast Cancer fund?

http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane...neficiary.aspx

[crazycanuck]

WAHOOOOOOEEYEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYY

((((((((((HUGS))))))))))

*phew*...I was hoping all the news would be good my dear and it was!

C

[makbike]

Denise:

I'm so glad you got good reports. Take care and enjoy life!