Well, it’s spring break now. I finally got all of my final papers/projects/exams turned in, and I don’t have to be back in the classroom until March 27!!! However, I very much feel like this is a pause, and not a break. Why?

Well, for starters, I will be working most of the break. The few days I won’t be working are Thursday-Sunday, and that’s because the boy and I are going to Florida to visit my parents. I’m excited about that because I get to see my parents and I will get to be at MY church for Easter (I miss my church). However, it won’t be much of a break because I have THREE doctors appointments while I’m there.

When we get back, I still have a few days off from school left, but I’ll still have work, and I think that my rotation supervisor is going to make me come in to school even though we’re on break. Sigh.

So, I’m not really going to get a whole lot of breakin’ in. Just a pause in school. I can’t wait to be done with this. I’m not even sure if I’m going to get to do any spring cleaning or get my hair cut (like I DESPERATELY need).

Anyone got spring plans or projects?

Oh wow, we’re getting so close!!!

How Are Benign Breast Conditions Detected?

Benign breast lumps are often first detected by physicians during clinical breast examination, routine mammogram or by patients practicing breast self-examination (BSE). Focal pain (pain confined to one spot in the breast) or nipple discharge (other than milk) may also alert a woman to have her condition checked by a doctor. Benign breast lumps are usually confirmed by imaging tests (mammogram, ultrasound/sonogram), observing the lump over a period of time, or doing fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), core needle biopsy (CNB) or surgical biopsy.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

Geez! See, once more I’m affirmed in my faith in bloggers. I say that I’m going to try to start renting out my blog, I have never done anything with BlogExplosion before . . .

In under an hour, I have 3 bids. 3!!! Y’all soooo just made my night!

I’m gonna have to go with a first come first serve basis. I’ll do a nice purty post tomorrow to introduce you - ya know, once the Blogathon is over and all the non-psychotic people come back out to play!

New source: www.breastbiopsy.com

Fibroadenomas - Non-Cancerous Breast Lumps
Not all breast lumps are malignant (or cancerous). There is such a thing as benign (or non-cancerous) breast disease. The most prevalent, non-cancerous breast lumps are known as fibroadenomas.

Prevalence
Fibroadenomas occur in about 10 percent of all women and account for about half of the 1.6 million breast biopsies doctors perform each year in the US. They are common among girls in their teens and women in their twenties and thirties, but may occur at any age. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fibroadenomas occur twice as often in African-American women.

About Fibroadenomas
Fibroadenomas are usually solid, round, non-cancerous tumors that feel like a marble within the breast. They can range in size from microscopic to several inches across and you or your doctor can feel them during a breast exam. Fibroadenomas may require removal if they cause pain, continue to grow or change in shape. Many doctors recommend removing them for biopsy to ensure they are not cancerous. Sometimes, new fibroadenomas may develop even after doctors remove old ones.

Detection, Diagnosis and Treatment
Most women detect fibroadenomas during a self-breast examination or your doctor may detect them during a clinical breast examination. Removing the lump may be necessary. Until now, most fibroadenomas have been removed using an open surgical biopsy method. Open surgical removal of fibroadenomas may involve the removal of nearby breast tissue which can cause scarring and breast disfigurement. And this method does require stitches and an incision 1- to 2-inches long.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!

I found this great article about the Underground Blogosphere. Basically, it’s about how bloggers are connected through other things than their blogs (emails, messengers, etc.).

I’m curious - are you a part of the Underground Blogosphere? How did you get into it?

What is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is the use of high-energy rays, usually X-rays, to kill cancer cells. Radiation is very effective in killing fast growing cells like breast cancer. Some healthy cells are also damaged during radiation therapy, but these can recover. Sometimes radiation is given before surgery to shrink tumor cells. But most often it’s given after surgery to stop the growth of any cancer cells that may remain.

What are the side effects associated with radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy may involve several side effects, but there are things that an individual can do to relieve these side effects. Common side effects include skin irritation and redness, breast changes or swelling, fatigue, dry cough or difficulty swallowing and lymphedema. Remember, your doctors, nurses, family and friends can help you cope with the different types of side effects.

This post is for the Blogathon 2006! I am blogging for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For more information about what I am doing, please click here!