When the lump was found (either through breast self-exam, clinical exam or mammogram) you hoped it wasn't true. When the sonogram results were suspicious, you wished it wasn't true. When the biopsy findings came back positive, you prayed it wasn't true. But it was.

In October 1996, I was diagnosed with simultaneous bilateral breast cancer. The right breast mass was a well-differentiated Grade one invasive tubular carcinoma. The left breast mass was moderately differentiated, Grade two, invasive ductal adenocarcinoma. What was I going to do? What were my options?

This was a very tumultuous time in my life. I had been married only one month. My spouse had lost his first wife to ovarian cancer. Would an earlier diagnosis have affected us? Would I have married him? I did not want him to go through all of this again. I had additional mammograms, ultrasound, and needle biopsy done on both breasts. I could not have been the easiest person to be around during this time.

Once I was diagnosed, the doctor presented me with options. This is where the difficulty comes in. Most of us want to be told what to do. We want the doctor to do what has been proven to work the best. But with breast cancer there are no clear-cut answers. Each option has a positive and negative side to it. You have to do what is best for you! This may be the most important decision in your life and you need to make an informed one. This is your body. Listen to advice. Gather facts. Talk to everyone you need to.

After many lengthy discussions with my doctor, husband, and family, I decided on lumpectomy, lymph node dissection, and radiation. I started gathering information. My surgeon was supportive, explaining everything in detail, answering every question, and recommending numerous places where I could get additional information. We also had an extensive conversation about "staging" which played an important role in my eventual choice.