by BJ McCall Recently I had one of those experiences I'd hoped to never to encounter, I found a lump in my left breast. In the last six months, I'd sold my home, moved, changed medical plans, made some major changes in my life and I was way overdue for my annual mammogram. I'd simply been too busy. I've never been one to believe ignoring something makes it go away. Whether the findings were good or bad, I had to know. I needed to take action and the first step was a selecting a new physician.

I printed out a list of Ob/Gyn docs from my medical plan's website and started making phone calls. An office receptionist put me on hold. After fifteen minutes I hung up and dialed another number. I wasn't put on hold, but I was told I'd have to wait three months for the next available appointment. No way! I picked another name, called and was offered an appointment within days. I couldn't see the doctor, but his physician's assistant was available. I took it. I needed a referral for a mammogram and the PA could do that.

Within a week, I had my left breast tucked tightly between two pieces of plastic and was being told to hold my breath as the images were taken. After the mammogram I was whisked into another room. The radiologist wanted an ultrasound. No big deal, except after both procedures I was told the radiologist needed to speak with me. We met in a small conference room and the thirty-something doctor spread out several grainy images of my breast on the table.

Then I got the reason for the meeting. Biopsy.

Two of my friends had gone this route. One hadn't had a mammogram in years and eighteen months later ended up losing a breast. The other had acted swiftly and had a lumpectomy. Both are doing well and are currently cancer free.

It was Friday afternoon. I took the next available appointment, early Monday morning.

An easy procedure, the biopsy was finished in an hour. A small chip was inserted so the area in question could be monitored in follow-up mammograms.

My husband wanted to know if the chip worked like the one in our dog's ear. He made me laugh.

Now all I had to do was wait for the results. On Wednesday morning I was told the good news. Negative. Benign.

Those words were like music leaving a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

I went back to work, putting finishing touches on Lycaon Moon, my Changeling Press June release.

A week passed and I received a call. Although the results were negative, the radiologist wanted another mammogram. A few days later I was sitting across from the doctor with another set of images spread across the conference table. He told me he was surprised the biopsy results had been negative. He'd expected otherwise, that meant malignant, and wanted another biopsy to be certain. Unlike the last ultrasound guided procedure this time the doctor would use digital guidance.

The bruising hadn't faded from the first one but I wanted this done. A puzzled radiologist can wipe the smile off your face.

On a warm, but windy, Wednesday afternoon I was firmly clamped in the mammogram machine and waiting for the needle. The procedure went quickly and within forty-five minutes I was bandaged and on my way home. Friday morning the call came. Negative.

Thank you, Lord!!

I'll be having a follow up mammogram in six months, but the peace of mind feels great. I've turned my attention to my September release from Changeling, Sinful Urges. I do love a vampire story.

The purpose of sharing this with you-

Never ignore a lump. Take action. Never, ever be too busy.