Waiting in the waiting room, youngest person there by far, it's just a cyst, I've been here before, it's just a cyst. They'll drain it and I'll go home. Just a cyst.
Nurse practioner says it looks like another cyst, off to mammography. Take B with me so he doesn't get lost like previous times.
Fire alarm goes off, traipse outside. Sun shining. Wait. Wait. Firemen turn up, all okay, back inside.
Called into the room, top off again, squirt of cold gel, wand positioned, cyst located, drained then and there, all done and dusted, over and out, and off to work.
No, wait, just a minute, another look, an area of concern at 6 o'clock. Back upstairs, back to the waiting room, back to the nurse practioner. Need a biopsy, probably nothing to worry about, better safe than sorry. Time for a quick sandwich.
Back to mammography, local anaesthetic, big needle contraption, not completely numb. Click. Pain, lots and lots of pain. Click. And again. Click. And again. Click. And again.
Shock, shaking violently. Steristrips and dressing. Come back in a week.
Home to bed. No work today.
A week later
Work first thing, lunch in my drawer, taxi to hospital, I'll be back in an hour, it'll be fine. More waiting. Waiting. Called in.
A tip of the head, a scooting forward of a chair, and I know, moving away from the notes, the computer, I know, a hand on the knee, and a 'I'm sorry it's not what we thought'. And my life changes for ever.
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Write for the blog! This blog is one of a series being shared on the Young Women's Breast Cancer Blog UK during October, breast cancer awareness month, but the blog is here year round. If you are a young woman in the UK who has/had a breast cancer diagnosis and you would like to be a part of this blog, please have a read of the additional information here.
Check your breasts
Breast cancer can happen to any of us - regardless of age. Information about how to check your breasts can be found on the Coppafeel and Breast Cancer Now websites.
Further information and support:
Younger Breast Cancer Network UK - an online chat and support group for women under the age of 45 in the UK who have had a breast cancer diagnosis.
Baldly Beautiful - a YouTube channel with make up demonstrations, created by Mac makeup artist Andrea Pellegrini who went through chemo herself in 2014.
Take A Moment - This is a group for women (all ages) who have/had breast cancer who want to explore, reflect on and express their feelings and experiences through photography. This is a link to the public page - to join the group, send them a message.
The Osborne Trust - Providing children of parents with cancer the opportunity to access time out recreational activities whilst their parents undergo operations and treatments
Jen's Friends - Free heart-shaped pillows for women (and men) with Breast Cancer. Designed to provide comfort and protection after a Mastectomy operation.
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