I Hugged My Doctor (or 7 years cancer free)

Monday's doctor's appointment with my gynecologist marked the 7th year I have been 'cancer free'. Dr. Karen Cole is my life-saver. She ordered a biopsy on a lump that two other gynecologists and three radiology labs in California would routinely pass off as fibrocystic breast disease. They would look at my mammogram film and order a follow up ultra-sound, but no one even mentioned biopsy. This went on for years until I moved to Mississippi in late 2006, and got a referral to Dr. Cole in 2007. After my exam she immediately had her staff notify the women's hospital across the street from her office to schedule a needle biopsy for that day. I had the results within a few more days and on September 13, 2007 I was in surgery for a modified radical mastectomy for Stage III, estrogen positive, breast cancer. I have celebrated each year since in my doctor's exam room and I hug her long and hard knowing that if it hadn't been for her willingness to order a biopsy I might have lost more than my breast. Ladies, insist on a biopsy for anything suspicious on your skin or inside your body. It could save you a body part or possibly your life.