Heidi's Breast Cancer Survivor Pins

Timeline

Mid January 2010...

My husband noticed something "different" about my breasts this morning. He said "something doesn't feel right. Maybe you should get this checked out by your doctor". I brushed it off at possibly PMS symptoms. Hormones. Although I didn't seem to heed my husband's suggestion - outwardly, it was still in the back of my mind. Two weeks went by and my husband asked me again, "did you call your doctor yet?" "No" I said, "not yet, but I will". I started to notice something "different" also and possibly a lump in my upper right breast. I called to book the appointment

Mid February 2010...

I see my doctor. She immediately schedules a mammogram. I had been getting mammograms as a regular part of my annual check ups.

End of February 2010...

I had the mammogram and then scheduled for an ultrasound.

End of March 2010...

I had a biopsy of my right breast, the morning after our return from a family vacation to Mexico. I didn't want to do it before because I would have a bandage on my boob all week (wouldn't be good with a bathing suit on)

Early-Mid April 2010...

Week of Easter Weekend, The verdict was in...I had Stage 0 DCIS. I didn't know what that was. I almost really didn't believe it because no one else in my family has ever had breast cancer. So I went into research mode!

Within two weeks of my biopsy results, I saw a General Surgeon and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. Both very amazing, very fabulous professionals!! I wasn't really afraid. It was a surreal situation. 

My husband and my older sister were the only two family members who knew about my results at first. In fact I told my mom by saying "Hey mom, I'm getting a boob job". I wanted to make it "light" so that she wouldn't worry so much. I didn't want to draw so much attention to myself either.

Mid May 2010...

Mother's Day weekend dinner out with the family...I decided I needed to share my health situation with my children who were 13 and 7 at the time. My son didn't want to talk about it afterward, but my daughter was there to support me in many ways.

June 1, 2010...

Entered Lakeridge Health Oshawa to have my double mastectomy and reconstruction. I had 11 subsequent visits at Out Patient Clinic for 'fill ups' in preparation for reconstructive surgery which happened on September 30, 2010