Doing a Happy Dance

I feel like I can breathe for the first time in weeks.

  I just got a call from my HMO informing me that I do NOT have cancer again.

The story is this:

• Three years ago I had breast cancer and after surgery and radiation treatment, I was cleared and told I should just be sure to keep up with the yearly mammograms and self examination.
•  August 11, I had my mammogram for this year.
• August 16, got that dreaded letter in the mail that told me I needed to call for a "re-imaging."
• August 19, had a second mammogram, complete with the magnification series.  Hoped they would just send me home, but no, the doctor wanted to talk to me.
• He pointed out some very small spots that weren't on the images from last year.  Called them suspicious.  WALKED me over to the appointment desk and asked them to set up a biopsy as soon as possible.  (This HMO is known for long delays)
• August 26, Had a double biopsy.  I had to lie on a very hard table, with my breast in compression for almost an hour.  I couldn't move.  It was horrible.
• They gave me a sheet of paper telling me they would call on Wednesday September 1, with the results. 
• 
  
  I tried to remain somewhat positive all of these days.  Reminding myself they were probably not malignant. But three years ago they found a very tiny, tiny, mass of cancerous cells. 
  
  
•  I was very relieved when the call that came today started with "I have good news for you." This is the forth time I have gone thru this.  Three have been negative. 

 No one except Craig and my daughter knew about it.

I am writing about it for two reasons,  one is to celebrate the good news, but the other is to remind all of my female friends, and my male friends who have a woman they love in their lives, that every woman should get a mammogram every year!    I know some of you either do not have insurance, or only have limited insurance, but believe me, it is one test you should not skip.  If there had been something there it could have been treated.  I will not die of breast cancer this year!

A squish in time, saved mine.

Daily countdown:

429 days, or 1 year, 2 months, 3 days.