Here's a website that I think is useful as far as the different concepts and definitions of breast health:
http://women.webmd.com/understanding-breast-problems-basic-information
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Importance of support
Hey everyone!
I'm new to this whole blogging thing, so forgive me if I mess up along the way. But I wanted to start a support group for women (or men, I'm not sure if this condition does happen in men, but since they can get breast cancer as well I don't see why not!) who suffer from the disease of fibroadenomas. For those who do not know the definition, I will share my own that I have gathered from being a person living with this disease. Fibroadenomas are benign masses that are only found in the breast (if they are in the uterus they are called fibroids) and they grow uncontrollably. They are generally bumpy and not particularly smooth, and are hard. Fortunately, they are not cancerous, but because they continue to grow surgery is the only option.
I'm starting this blog because I want people who suffer from this disease to have a place to talk about it, learn more about through others experiences and receive emotional support. I strongly believe in order to be resilient community support is imperative, and I hope this blog can play a supportive role for the millions of women who have been diagnosed with fibroadenomas. I will share my story. I have suffered from fibroadenomas for over 10 years and I'm 22 right now. When I was first diagnosed, I was 11 years old and I was diagnosed with fibroadenomas. At the time, the fibroadenomas was in the left breast and was measured at over 7 cm long. I rememeber being in health class learning about breast cancer and how it is important to do self breast exams. Well, I performed one that very night and found a large lump. I didn't tell anyone for about 3 days and I finally broke down in tears to my mom telling her I have cancer. She gently laughed at me (she is a doctor) and explained to me that is most likely isn't cancer and even suggested that it could be a benign tissue ( I was still convinced I was dying anyway) and that we will go see a childrens specialist. After the ultrasounds, the doctors were convinced they are fibroadenomas and I was rushed into surgery. My first surgery was June 5, 2003 on my left breast and I have had two more since on August 19, 2004 (both breast operated)and July 31, 2006 (just right breast operated). Naturally, I thought I had overcomed this disease and haven't had fibroadenomas until now, my last year of college. I went to the doctor complaining of a lump in my left breast and after ultrasounds on both breasts it was revealed that I have 3 in my left breast and 9 in my right (yes 9!!!!). This was very fustrating news because the doctor told me my juvenile fibroadenomas would subside after puberty and my teenage years. The astounding number of fibroadenomas is very surprising and I felt very fustrated and alone with this news. My last surgeries have left scars (although not too visible) but it is always a difficult time when you are required to have major surgery.
I hope my story will help someone in a similar position and demonstrate you are not alone. I have pictures of the fibroadenomas they removed ( I know I'm weird, I asked the surgeon to take a photo before he disposed of them), poems I wrote at the time, and more stories to share about recovery and the process of surgery. Should anyone have any questions or comments please feel free to post. Hope to hear from you soon and take care!
xoxo Lolo
I'm new to this whole blogging thing, so forgive me if I mess up along the way. But I wanted to start a support group for women (or men, I'm not sure if this condition does happen in men, but since they can get breast cancer as well I don't see why not!) who suffer from the disease of fibroadenomas. For those who do not know the definition, I will share my own that I have gathered from being a person living with this disease. Fibroadenomas are benign masses that are only found in the breast (if they are in the uterus they are called fibroids) and they grow uncontrollably. They are generally bumpy and not particularly smooth, and are hard. Fortunately, they are not cancerous, but because they continue to grow surgery is the only option.
I'm starting this blog because I want people who suffer from this disease to have a place to talk about it, learn more about through others experiences and receive emotional support. I strongly believe in order to be resilient community support is imperative, and I hope this blog can play a supportive role for the millions of women who have been diagnosed with fibroadenomas. I will share my story. I have suffered from fibroadenomas for over 10 years and I'm 22 right now. When I was first diagnosed, I was 11 years old and I was diagnosed with fibroadenomas. At the time, the fibroadenomas was in the left breast and was measured at over 7 cm long. I rememeber being in health class learning about breast cancer and how it is important to do self breast exams. Well, I performed one that very night and found a large lump. I didn't tell anyone for about 3 days and I finally broke down in tears to my mom telling her I have cancer. She gently laughed at me (she is a doctor) and explained to me that is most likely isn't cancer and even suggested that it could be a benign tissue ( I was still convinced I was dying anyway) and that we will go see a childrens specialist. After the ultrasounds, the doctors were convinced they are fibroadenomas and I was rushed into surgery. My first surgery was June 5, 2003 on my left breast and I have had two more since on August 19, 2004 (both breast operated)and July 31, 2006 (just right breast operated). Naturally, I thought I had overcomed this disease and haven't had fibroadenomas until now, my last year of college. I went to the doctor complaining of a lump in my left breast and after ultrasounds on both breasts it was revealed that I have 3 in my left breast and 9 in my right (yes 9!!!!). This was very fustrating news because the doctor told me my juvenile fibroadenomas would subside after puberty and my teenage years. The astounding number of fibroadenomas is very surprising and I felt very fustrated and alone with this news. My last surgeries have left scars (although not too visible) but it is always a difficult time when you are required to have major surgery.
I hope my story will help someone in a similar position and demonstrate you are not alone. I have pictures of the fibroadenomas they removed ( I know I'm weird, I asked the surgeon to take a photo before he disposed of them), poems I wrote at the time, and more stories to share about recovery and the process of surgery. Should anyone have any questions or comments please feel free to post. Hope to hear from you soon and take care!
xoxo Lolo
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