I've never been one to do monthly breast exams. To be honest, this wasn't even a normal breast exam - it was more of a - "hey, I'm laying down resting comfortably watching TV - now is as good a time as any to check out this whole self-exam thing."
That's right. This exam was borne of pure boredom.
I started by making circular motions with my fingers - first the right, then the left. My husband watched me with a quizzical look on his face - he'd never seen one done before either, but he was supportive in my efforts (at least, I think that was support...)
I didn't really feel anything strange or unusual - and then I remembered seeing on a bathroom poster on how to do breast self exams in a Target bathroom that you are supposed to put one arm above your head and use the other hand to do the exam.
Everything you read in a Target bathroom has got to be correct, right? I mean, afterall they do have the "Employees must wash hands before returning to work" sign along with the "Shoplifters will be prosecuted" I assumed this breast self exam poster must be correct as well.
Ok, in the air it goes - first the right arm...still not sure what to feel for - but decide there is nothing of any excitement there. (And really, if you knew me...there was absolutely NO excitement on either side of the exam table - if you know what I mean...)
Now left...
I wasn't really sure at first that I felt anything. I put the right arm back in the air - felt in the same place on the right side - nope...nothing there. Back to the left.
It was definitely there. Small. Hard-ish. About the size of a pea, but lima bean shaped (later my doctor told me this was appropriate to call it a lima bean...because NOBODY likes lima beans either.)
I asked my husband to give me his opinion. (And, you see, it's okay that he went ahead and felt for it...we're married.) I said - "Do you feel that?" and his response was "Well sure - I think so."
That was it. It was discovered. The small little lump in my left breast.
