In September of 2023 I found a lump in my left breast. I'd found one in the mid 80's and it ended up being a lump of fat. So though I've come across them since, I just forgot about them. This time it felt like a walnut and was painful when I squeezed it. I knew that didn't mean anything necessarily, but something else did. I knew in my heart and mind that this was cancer. It took a while for my primary doc to get the proper order over to the hospitals Diagnostic Center, but I couldn't get an appointment for a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound until the end of October 2023. Before I left the Diagnostic Center the day of those test the radiologist who read my tests told me he really believed this was cancer and I would come back for biopsies and they would let me know once they had the pathology on that. That's exactly what happened and the next thing I was doing was prepping with blood word and an EKG for surgery. I had also decided to have a breast reduction surgery at the same time and my doctors agreed. I had wanted one for a long, long time. Both my sister and my mother had had reductions done years ago. My breast were even larger than either of theirs. All of our breast were pendulous. They were very uncomfortable and ostentatious, even embarassing. I did the best I could, but I had to wear a size 36 DD bra in elementary school and I think that was too small. I was really looking forward to this surgery. I haven't mentioned yet that I'm physically disabled with chronic pain that's only gotten worse over the last 37 years. I get frequent migraines, serious back pain, fibromyalgia, which is soft tissue pain, psoriatic arthritis which effects most of my joints. I've had many other medical issues I just don't want to think about them. So over the years as the pain in my knees, hands or back has become more and more debilitating I've grieved the many things in my life I've had to let go of, and there has been a lot. Thanks to Jeshua (Jesus) I have joy. I usually don't get deppressed. I new as a young woman I couldn't have children for at 19 my gym was recommending a hysterectomy. I waited, hoping for the relationship that would lead to marriage, and a child . No relationship, no child, though I did help to rear my fathers third family(as far as I know). Two beautiful girls whom he abused and I had no control over it. I did my best. Anyway on January 11, 2024 I had the surgery. We already knew I found the cancer very early and if I had to have breast cancer it was the best kind I could've gotten. I stayed overnight in VHS Hospital in Virginia and my Mom and Brother brought me home the next day. I 've had some breast pain, pain in my stitches, some of the breast pain is deep and very bad. But eventually it lets up. I developed an opening about an inch long in my stiches about one week after surgery. Now, two months later it's almost completely healed up. This breast reduction is absolutely the best surgery I've ever had! I wouldn't change my mind except to do it earlier in my life. I don't have to have chemo, but I start radiation on March 21, 2024, for sixteen days and a doctor visit in between. I've already got around five of what they call tatoos. Yet they're only ink spots. I look forward to doing something to mark this time in my life. It would have been a nazel piercing if that hadn't become so popular. I don't like to do or wear what everyone is wearing. I also considered a facial tat. I just don't know yet. I'm pretty much on my own. I really enjoy my quite time. Though, at times I at least wish I had a pen pal. This breast reduction was absolutely for me.When I go out, even just for groceries or the doctor, I like to dress nice, for me. It's for me also that I wanted and got this breast reduction and I'm thrilled with it! Thanks for "listening". Paula Simpson
