It's Over, And I'm OK

The pathology report showed a small "nodule" of hinky stuff right at the center of the mass, entirely surrounded by benign cells in a very thick layer. It also shows nothing but benign or normal tissue all around the exterior of the mass, so that's pretty much the end of that. It's out, I'm cured.

Oh, I still have to remain vigilant for recurrence, but that's not really any different than before. All women my age are supposed to be doing self-exams and staying alert for changes, whether they've had a close call or not.

I won't be counting myself among the community of "survivors", since my experience was so short-lived and relatively non-traumatic, and the mass was so overwhelmingly harmless. There was no chemo, radiation, or hormone therapy for me. There was no mastectomy and reconstruction---only the worry of it.

So yeah, I had a good scare for about a month. And I had a surgery, and now I have about a 2.5" scar. But I also still have the rest of my breast, my hair, my peace of mind, my uncompromised immunity and plenty more that I feel puts me squarely in the Technicality category here.

But I can tell you one very good thing that's already come out of this, something I feel really good about. Both my Mom and sister had been neglecting their self-exams and mammograms, and both scheduled mammos within a week of my diagnosis.

Yay! I'm a living cautionary tale! ='D [<--first smiley emoticon I've put out there in weeks]

Now, to just get through selling my house and that pesky divorce...