bodies are stupid

[the_siobhan]

Something happened last week that has me feeling A Way.

So I had top surgery last September. (I think I talked about that here? I honestly don't remember.) I am very happy I did it, 5 out of 5 stars, no more bras ever, etc. On Thursday I had an appointment at Womens College Hospital, where I had the surgery done. I thought nothing of it, assumed it was just a standard surgical follow-up. So I was puzzled when they made me fill out a bunch of intake forms, surely they have all that info already?

Wasn't until the surgeon walked in and explained that it became clear that no, this appointment was with the breast cancer clinic.

Abnormal cells found in the mastectomy tissue. So early they didn't show up on the mammogram I had to do prior to surgery. Usually treated by removal of the site, but that's taken care of so I'm good to go, no concerns.

You ever been in a car where you just squeeze out of a situation that could have been a really bad accident? Or jump back on the sidewalk just in time to be missed by a speeding cab.

I had that feeling all the way home.

Still do, to be honest.

So. Yeah.

Comments

[armiphlage]

I would never use the word "lucky" in the same sentence as "cancer", but the timing is indeed fortunate.

[the_siobhan]

I'm definitely feeling lucky.

[shadaras]

Oh, dang! I'm glad that top surgery also solved a problem you didn't even know you had!

[the_siobhan]

Right? Definitely dodged a bullet there.

[sylvanwitch]

Oh, wow. That's some meaning-of-life stuff right there, the kind of near-miss that absolutely realigns your perspective, right? Having had a near-miss with cancer myself last year, I can definitely relate to the floaty-headed weirdness that ensues, if that's what you're feeling, anyway. I'm so glad you dodged that bullet, my friend. *hugs*

[the_siobhan]

Yep, that's exactly what it feels like.

And thank you. Happy to be a part of the "that's a problem I am very happy to have dodged" club with you.

[elusis]

!!!

Wow.

The whole timing and circumstance of this seems weird to me (thanks for letting you know... five months later? And why bring you in to say "hey, so this is a non-issue"? I guess probably it was generally a post-masto followup and they just slid that info in, but...). But I'm glad you dodged that bullet.

[the_siobhan]

I'm assuming the referral is automatic if the cells are detected, but it wasn't considered urgent in my case - which I'm fine with, people with scary mammograms should absolutely get first dibs on doctor time.

My sister had surgery about a month before mine for a breast lump. She was test-to-table in a couple of weeks.

[elusis]

Good to hear (on many counts).

[dissectionist]

Oh man. That is A Lot. I’m very glad this was unintentionally sorted out before it ever became a problem. Do they want you to do any kind of monitoring or have they deemed you good to go?

[the_siobhan]

Pretty much my options now are the same as a cis man, so just to be aware of any new topography. But the surgery massively reduced my risk factors for a recurrence.

[trobadora]

Oof. I'm so glad for you!

[the_siobhan]

Thank you. I really do feel like I got lucky.

[sabotabby]

Holy shit. I don't believe in things like "meant to be" but bullet dodged seems to be an understatement.

[miss_squiddy]

Well. I guess at least they tested and let you know? Was that surgeon confused to see you post top surgery when they were expecting to have to give you bad boob news?

[the_siobhan]

WCH is one of the main gender clinics in the province, so I'm imagine I'm not the first referral he's gotten like this.

[runcible]

Holy shit! Holeeee sheeit!

So glad you went through with it for so many reasons! Phew!

[the_siobhan]

Holeeee sheeit is pretty much exactly the noise I was making all the way home.

[warriorsavant]

Wow

[the_siobhan]

Yeah.

[gatheringrivers]

Bonus win! Hoping that STAYS a win, too! *crossing fingers*

[the_siobhan]

Apparently it massively reduces my risk, so the odds are in my favour. And thank you!

wow!

[mschaos]

just wow. I am so glad that they got everything and that you don't have to go through additional treatment

Re: wow!

[the_siobhan]

Thanks. I've seen what people go through with breast cancer and yeah, I'm feeling pretty lucky right now.

[nafs]

Oh wow, that is super disconcerting. Particularly hearing about it six months later. Glad it's not going to be a larger concern but I am not surprised you're feeling weird about it.

[the_siobhan]

I don't really believe in karma or fate, but if this was the trade-off for all the bad luck with the renos, I'll take it.

[houseof9cats]

WOW. That's. I'm speechless. A capital 'F' Feeling is definitely warranted.

[the_siobhan]

Yeah. Definitely a bullet dodged.

[sanguinity]

Wow! Yikes, and also congrats -- is that an appropriate combination?

[the_siobhan]

It absolutely is. And thank you.

[greylock]

Well.... Yikes indeed.

It's great it worked out. I guess in the alternative timeline, things would have been a lot more stressful.

[the_siobhan]

Absolutely.

[cornerofmadness]

that is something. I can't imagine the emotions rolling around with this

[the_siobhan]

A lot of it is resolving into relief, but still. Holy shit.

[cornerofmadness]

I can only imagine and from the sounds of it they think because of how extensive top surgery is, they got all of it which is the only good part of this

[ixalisse]

Its completely normal to feel A Way about the results of a circumstance that could have ended badly. I'm glad to hear that you had the surgery done (I do vaguely recall you posting about it on here) and that this near miss was simply that. ♥

[the_siobhan]

Add this to the long list of reasons I feel happy about this choice, honestly.

[ixalisse]

Oh, absolutely!

[doggiesushi]

Whoa. Just... whoa. The feeling of just narrowly avoiding a car crash is a good metaphor for it. I'm glad you don't have to deal with it!

It reminds me of when Tiffany _did_ have breast cancer. When they did the mastectomy, they found a whole other tumor that had aggressively appeared and grown since the last time she had seen the doctor. Had they just done a lumpectomy or radiation, they wouldn't have even seen or known about the other tumor. She ended up having to be treated for it, but that was another "almost car crash" moment. What if no one had known about that one until it had gotten big and had started spreading?

[the_siobhan]

Oh wow. That must have been intense. I'm glad they found it.

[silentq]

Yiiikes
And phew, glad you avoided it!
I just had my mammo before moving but now that I'm signed up for provincial health care, they immediately sent me cancer screening encouragement with follow up for dense tissue that I've never had. I just need to find a doctor and get on record.