I have a strong family history of cancer. Because of this I have annual mammograms and skin checks. It’s now standard, but when it wasn’t always opted in (and paid extra for) 3D screening.

In May of 2025 I had my annual mammogram. Something showed up. You may have guessed that from the post title.

This has happened before. I go back for another mammogram and an ultrasound. It has always been clear on the second visit. This time it wasn’t clear. The radiologist reviewed this with me and gave me 2 options – wait 6 months and they would repeat the mammogram and ultrasound, or have a biopsy. I elected for the biopsy. I had just lost my dad to testicular cancer the previous fall. I wasn’t taking any chances.

I spent the week before my biopsy rationalizing this. I started with “I might have cancer” to “I probably have cancer”. This wasn’t a defeatist attitude. My rationale was that if the biopsy was negative I would be overjoyed and if it was positive I wouldn’t be crushed. I would be mentally ready.

The biopsy showed Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I was scheduled for lumpectomy and lymph node removal in early July. Surgery went smoothly. All the cancer was removed. I was scheduled for radiation therapy for later in the summer.

Other than being a little sore, I felt pretty good. My breast surgery follow up went well and I started seeing a medical oncologist and had my radiation oncology consult.

But then,… there is always a but .- my oncotype score came back off by a point. The oncotype test is used to determine the risk factor for cancer returning. The goal was a score of 26 or lower, my medical oncologist felt my number would be in the teens. However my test score came back at 27 which meant chemotherapy was recommended to minimize getting cancer again. I didn’t want to get cancer again, so we started chemo in August.

A lot of people go through chemotherapy and it’s not a pleasant journey. I am one of the rare people that actually had a pretty good chemo experience. My dad did too. I didn’t get sick, I was fatigued but not vomiting. But I had a different side effect to a med I was taking to prevent side effects (I know, right?). The day after chemo I went back for a Neulasta shot. This is a med given to boost your white cell count after chemo. A lot of people have a reaction to this shot and it was recommended I take Claritan to prevent side effects. OMG, I was in bone-aching pain for days after the shot, thinking that it was from the Neulasta. On my follow up a week later the oncologist was puzzled by my reaction and in conversation she realized I was having a reaction to the Claritan. I don’t have severe allergies and have never had Claritan before. So they switched me to Pepcid (I know, an antacid!), which TOTALLY WORKED. Other than fatigue, no vomiting or pain. I was feeling pretty good.

At this point my hair started falling out. I was practicing with head scarves – which is a lot of work! But it’s September and I decided hats would be my thing.

But then, … new medical complication – Necrotizing Fasciitis. That’s a whole new post.