Finding a Lump in Danvers

About six weeks ago I was giving myself a breast exam. 

It's a monthly ritual because 1. I taught the breast exam when I was a medical counselor and 2. two people that I was close to died of breast cancer.  One was a dear friend and she died in 1987 and the other was my mother, Marjorie who died in 2009. 

So when I found a small, pea-sized lump in my left breast, it was a surreal feeling.  I kept my cool and called my gyn. Of course , she was on vacation so I went that day and saw a male doctor who is part of the same practice! Immediately! So in a couple of hours I had a breast exam. The doctor told me 'it's a small piece of skin' and 'you'll probably squeeze it and make it bigger.' He got points for seeing me right away and points taken off for the last comment.

This diagnosis didn't soothe me and a friend suggested I pay a visit to a breast specialist who is right here in Danvers. This doctor's office told me to get a mammogram and ultra-sound.  So again, I had the tests performed right in Danvers and another doctor, a woman, examined the test results. 

Again, no cancer but I wanted to be absolutely sure with the specialist. So I saw this breast specialist within two weeks after I first found my lump.  After a thorough, gentle exam and a look at my test results I was assured I did not have breast cancer.  Of course, this male doctor told me not to 'play' with the lump or it would swell. 

The good news is if you have a breast lump in Danvers you get quick, excellent and compassionate service, locally.  We didn't have to go into Boston and we had terrific care.  But why did the two male doctors assume I had all this extra time to 'fondle' my lump to the point of enlarging it.  Honestly.  Anyway, yay Danvers for good medical care.