Health Check

I've always been a pretty paranoid person. You can ask my husband. He is constantly saying, "Nothing bad is going to happen; you just have to trust that." Well, hunny-dew, easier said than done.

Lucy will roll over to her side in the middle of the night and I'll see it on the video monitor.

"Heath, she's on her side. What do you think? Do you think I should go roll her back over? I worry about her." Of course, I've woken him up. He doesn't even roll over and look at me or the monitor anymore.

"She's fine Cori; go to sleep."

"But, I worry about her Heath."

"She's fiiiine."

Well, about three-weeks ago, I was changing out of my work clothes and into my lounging around the house garb. I went to make a bra adjustment and noticed a small knot on my right breast. Hmmm.....I felt a little more and then said something to Heath. He felt too.

"You should probably go get that checked out."

"Yeah, I probably should."

That was basically where it ended. It was small and not at all what I imagined a cancer lump would be like. In fact, it was more of a knot than a lump; so, I blew it off. I kept telling myself that it was something to do with the pregnancy and/or breast feeding.

About a week and a half later, I was changing again and doing the same bra adjustment. There it was, again. This time it seemed easier to find. Larger? I'm not sure; but it seemed more prominent. I tried to talk myself into the fact that it was nothing. Why? I'm not sure. I made an additional comment to Heath about it; but, he didn't stress an appointment either. I think both of us were just trying to be optimistic and not jump to conclusions......or some would say being ignorant.

It was that weekend that I spent a lot of time with Lucy. I put her to bed one night and began to pray. I prayed about all of the usual things and then thought of a few others that I wanted to pray for. When thinking about it, I occasionally pray for a mom I read about who is currently battling cancer; she has two young children. I remember reading her story for the first time and how it broke my heart. Well, it impacted me so much that she and her family are routinely in my prayers.

It dawned on me that I was doing what she had done - and so many others I've heard about. I was putting this appointment off. I was talking myself out of worrying. For what? Why? It was shear laziness on my part. I have good insurance, a good doctor, and sick-leave at work. What the heck was I waiting for?

So, my psyche got the best of me and I called for an appointment on Monday morning, last Monday. I got in for the very next day - possibly the soonest I've ever gotten in! I was very apprehensive and I think the visit actually made Heath a bit nervous too. When I made the appointment and she said, "What's this for?", I had to answer, "I noticed a bump on my breast." It really made the whole situation hit home. Yes, it could be nothing; but, what were your first thoughts? Exactly.

There I was, in the waiting room, again telling myself it was nothing. I soon enough got to the room and my doctor came in. She studied the knot and squeezed it a bit. It wasn't sore and you could move it around - two things I've been told are good. She said, "Well, I'm not worried." Whew!! Relief. Then she said, "It is close enough to the surface; how about we cut it out and see what it is?

"Umm.....okay-?"

I trust my doctor 100%; so, I wasn't going to question her. Plus, I kind of wanted to see what it was myself. Next thing I know, I was walking into the clinic prep-room. I assume it's where they do stitches and that kind of stuff. I laid down anticipating that cutting my boob open would be very painful!

She got the numbing needle and started to inject the medicine. Honestly, it was probably one of the least painful shots I've ever had. It was surprising to say the least. Then, she said, "Ohp, it popped."

What do you mean it popped? I quickly imagined some sort of ketchup packet like thing exploding and the remnants floating around in my breast forever.

"It was just a cyst. I thought it was too hard to be a cyst; but, that's what it was. I hit it with the needle and it just burst." She then stated that she thought it was a something-something-noma. I didn't know and I didn't ask.

Of course I followed up with what causes a cyst and that type of thing; but, I was more relieved that it 1) wasn't serious and 2) I didn't have to have stitches in my boob! I will admit though, I was a little bummed that I didn't get to see it. I was semi-excited for that.

When I called Heath, the first thing he said was, "Good news?" It made me realize how much he was secretly worrying about me. He always tries to be so strong, for me. But, I am so thankful most times.

This entire experience has changed me. It was nothing; but it could have been something! And not once did my doctor or the nurses make me feel stupid for coming in. I never felt that it was a waste of time and even now, I don't feel that way. I need to guarantee myself that I am doing everything I can to keep myself healthy - if not for me, for Lucy.

I strongly encourage everyone to get a yearly physical, if you don't already. And, I encourage you to get questionable things checked out. It took two hours of my day and it put my mind at rest. If you are contemplating a visit, please go. You won't regret it. Maybe it's good to be paranoid sometimes.