5 Lessons I’ve Learned to Support My Health This Year

Photo by Fabian Møller on Unsplash

In April 2023, I learned my family carries a pathogenic variant of the BRCA2 gene. In May 2023, I found a little lump in my right breast. I freaked the F out. Before May, I had occasionally felt myself up in an attempt to ‘self-screen’ but it was sporadic at best, and ineffective at worst. I only did a self-exam because of the BRCA2 news, otherwise, I would have chalked a monthly check-up to a nice-to-do that I’ll get to when I remember and have time. Like flossing.

I booked in with my empathetic, calm, and caring primary doctor. I was prepared to go in there, advocate for myself, and ask for exactly what I wanted — a mammogram and ultrasound. But I didn’t need to.

We discussed what I felt and my family history. She did an exam, found a different lump, and we discussed options. She mentioned my age (40) and the fact that while our province only does routine screening mammograms after 50, the recommendations are changing but our health system hasn’t quite caught up. She agreed I go for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound to see what is happening.

After calling around and begging for an appointment that wasn’t months away, I had my first mammogram and ultrasound at age 40.

The mammogram wasn’t painful in my opinion. I would categorize this as a 2/10 for pain. It is mostly uncomfortable, like that family member who always hugs you a bit too tight where you feel more compression than you’d like. And over just as quickly.

After the kind mammo tech finished manipulating and imaging both my breasts, I went upstairs to the ultrasound of my right, lumpy, breast only. It took about 20 minutes, and she was very quiet except to stop partway and ask if I was breastfeeding. I’m not. I weaned my youngest 4.5 years earlier. It struck me as odd and concerning because it was followed by many more images in the exact spot where my doctor had felt the other lump. Cue panic.

After all that, I was sent on my way and told my doctor would get the results within 2 weeks. Three days later, I received a message from my doctor. My heart stopped.

I opened the message on the patient portal, trembling, convinced quick news was bad news.

The message read: Hi Lola, great news. Your mammograph came back with several CYSTS in your right breast, but nothing of concern. No follow up needed unless something new emerges.

Cue the deepest exhale ever. I’d been holding my breath for almost 2 months since finding the lump and getting these results.

I don’t love that my boob is lumpy because it makes it more difficult to know what is new or not a new lump, but at least I know that as of June 2023, things look clear. However, for me, this result is only the beginning of what has been a very unexpected journey in advocating for my health.

Through the journey of the past 6 months, I have learned a few lessons that I’d like to share.

Lesson 1: Get to know your own normal, so that if something new develops, you’ll notice.

If you have breasts, no matter the size, check your breasts once a month for lumps, bumps, and changes. If you have testicles, get to know them. Skin? Digestion? Mood? Pay attention to anything new, changing, or concerning.

Health Tip 1: Take your own clinical notes. Take pictures, draw diagrams, or make notes with the date, the concern, and the changes you notice. Create your own clinical notes so you can refer back if you observe a change, or in order to have the info to share with your doctor without relying on your memory.

Lesson 2: Don’t medically gaslight yourself, or ignore your symptoms.

I beg you — do not ignore symptoms, changes or nagging concerns. It doesn’t make you a hypochondriac or a nuisance to ask your doctor if what you are experiencing is of concern. By committing to paying attention and advocating for yourself with your doctor when you notice something new, you are taking charge of your health which is empowering. Best case, it is nothing and you rest easy. Worst case, you catch something early and it can be more easily treated, monitored or managed.

Health Tip 2: Just book the appointment with your doctor. Don’t think too much or talk yourself out of it. Just get it on the calendar and show up to have a conversation about your health. If you don’t share with your doctor, they can’t help you.

Lesson 3: Stay off google.

This is a message to myself. I’m the queen of Dr. Google but I am also a researcher by training and nature. I LOVE information, and it doesn’t scare me to look at the potential options. But most often, it isn’t helpful to try and interpret imaging or potential outcomes that aren’t relevant to my case. Just avoid the search engine medicine and leave it to the professionals.

Health Tip 3: Pick up a new novel to read or show to watch to distract your mind instead. I started Where the Crawdads Sing during this time to take me to another place and time when I felt the urge to google.

Lesson 4: Ask questions and write down what you won’t remember.

If something isn’t clear, ask a question. If you don’t understand why a test is needed. Ask. If you get a result and it is overwhelming, ask to have another appointment a week later after you process the news to ask questions, and bring a partner, friend or family member to be with you. Ask your doctor to write down any diagnoses or medical terminology that you don’t understand. This is your body and your health, and your questions have value.

Health Tip 4: Start a medical journal. I started a medical journal this year to keep track of all that I’m facing, names and contact info and dates. I also add questions as they come up so I can remember to ask my various specialists. Include medications, family history, and dates of hospitalizations. All of this is good to have on hand.

Lesson 5: Prioritize reducing and managing stress.

This is a big one. Stress kills. It has a toxic effect on the body and mind. I have been living in a constant state of fight/flight/freeze for almost 4 years since the beginning of the lockdowns in March 2020, and I can feel the effects. I don’t like it and something had to shift. For me, my 2024 goal is to find a job that is less intense and less stressful, since much of my current stress load (outside of medical) is work-related.

Health Tip 5: Find a stress-relieving hobby. I do my best to manage my stress with exercise, meditation, walking outdoors on my lunch break, and quiet-focused activities like puzzles and diamond painting. During these activities, I can block out my mental noise and focus on the task which really reduces my stress. I encourage you to try different leisure activities and pay attention to how you feel during and after. While big holidays are great, they are temporary. Daily practices are so important to develop and prioritize.

If you found this helpful, want to say hi, or have other tips to share, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Yours in health.

Lola