<p>I can see how the false positives can be a problem. The scary mammogram I had was because of microcalcifications and required a surgical biopsy (they had to inject dye into the area under a mammogram so the surgeon could find the area to remove, then I had the biopsy under anaesthetic etc). They turned out to be nothing. I think it almost had a negative affect on me because I feel like I will probably get the microcalcifications again and don’t want to have to have a surgical biopsy every time. </p>
<p>To be honest it has made me more reluctant to have mammograms now. Obviously I was happy everything was ok but it was a lot to go through, emotionally, physically and financially, when there was nothing actually wrong in the first place.</p>
<p>Hi Everybody! I have WONDERFUL NEWS to report. The pathology report came back late today and said “Benign breast tissue…no evidence of tumor”. My husband and I just sat and cried, we are so happy and grateful. I have not spoken to my doctor, but will on Monday to see if there is any further testing necessary. Of course, there will be more follow up, but for now, I am incredibly relieved and happy. Even knowing the odds were greatly in my favor, it was hard not to think some dark thoughts. I joked about putting on a Xenia Warrior Princess outfit to prepare for battle. So glad I don’t have to.</p>
<p>My son and I attended a mother/son dance at his school tonight and as I looked out over all the happy women there, my eye was drawn to another mom wearing a pink baseball hat. She was covering her balding head. I cannot describe the emotion I had, across a packed room, offering up silent prayers on her behalf. Everyone was enjoying themselves and dancing but she and her son must have been wondering, will we be back here next year? My heart goes out to them and to everyone who is fighting this battle.</p>
<p>Race for the Cure is next weekend, plan to write a big check.</p>
<p>Thanks again to all my wonderful CC friends. You will never know what you have done for me, I hope this thread will help many others as well. God Bless!</p>
<p>Oh, HeartArt, that is just wonderful news. I imagine this entire experience has been eye opening for you and your husband to feel even more gratitude for all that you have. Now you can enjoy your son’s journey to college without worry. I’m very relieved for you!</p>
<p>Just wanted to let you know that I too had good results today. Mammogram was so easy; I thought it was going to be so painful & it was much easier than I had prepared myself for. It appeared clear but to be sure they did an ultrasound right after & was told that it was ok as well as far as the sonography showed. I will know for sure once I hear from my Dr. but it sounds very positive, much to my extreme relief. </p>
<p>HeartArt, I am so glad yours came back fine as well. What a blessing. Thanks for everything…best wishes to all of you…</p>
<p>Your description of the woman with the pink hat and your emotions was exactly why I hated being bald during my chemo. You can never leave the cancer at home. Even if you are feeling well or feeling positive the baldness elicits pity and judgements from other people. It impacts the way you are treated. You are looked at as the cancer mom, the chemo patient.
If that mom was like me she was just enjoying the dance with her son and wishing she had hair.
Don’t let cancer define who that woman is. Don’t pity her. Say a prayer if so inclined but try to treat her as just another mom.</p>
<p>I am thrilled that there have been good reports and happy weekends.</p>
<p>keymom - thank you for saying what I was thinking. I hated the wig, but I wore it for those very reasons. The thought of not being around next year was not going through my mind. No, I was doing everything to make sure I was going to be around for a long long time because the science of breast cancer treatment is NOT exact. “Odds” seemed to indicate chemo was a good idea, but they didn’t know if I needed it for sure. I didn’t need or want pity - I was just focused on making sure cancer was gone, all the while trying to live a somewhat normal existence.</p>
<p>Glad I checked back in on this thread. Just saw the update on the sports about the MLB teams using the pink baseball bats yesterday. So glad to hear the happy reports. Thanks to those who’ve reminded us of the difficulty of living a “normal” life while going through the bad stuff, too. I especially liked the reminded that worrying is a thought process and not a “feeling”, and therefore should be used productively.</p>
<p>Wonderful news all around. While I was going through my tiny little ordeal, a very good friend was doing chemo for ovarian. I figured anything that I did or might go through was going to be minuscule in comparison. For most of us there really is a “count your blessings” component.</p>
<p>When I described the woman I saw at the Mother/Son dance, I said “my heart goes out to her” but not in judgement or pity (actually, she was having a great time!) but in compassion and hopefully, a tiny bit of understanding. I have tremendous respect and admiration for anyone who has this battle to fight. Of course, I would treat her like any other mom! I seem to have struck a nerve here and in no way did I mean to offend or patronize. I agree that cancer does NOT define her or anyone else. Was she wondering about being at the dance next year? I know while waiting for my own results, those very thoughts crossed my mind. My own mother died at a relatively young age so I pray that I can be here for my own kids for many years to come. I noticed her because of her pink cap, her brilliant smile, and her obvious determination.</p>
Thank you for letting us know.</p>