Shannon Bodkin

Hi! This is my story....I found a lump in my right breast in February, not having a primary doctor I felt the need to find one quickly. I met a wonderful Doctor who basically saved my life. She ordered the mammogram. Typically women my age don’t get mammograms until they are 40, but my new doctor felt like it was needed.

I went in for a diagnostic mammogram on February 25th. While there they called me back in for another view (squeeze) of the left side, I was confused and told the tech that the lump is on my right side. She then told me that nothing was showing up on that side but the radiologist wanted another image of the left side. At this point I started to feel a tad nervous, but still confident that it was nothing. After this process was over the radiologist met with me in a room and said that there is “an area of concern” and that it would need to be biopsied. She directed me to the nurse navigators office and said that someone would help me with “the process”. Sitting in that office all I remember is the pretty pink scrubs they were wearing, everything the nurse said was an absolute blur, I was trying to process “an area of concern”.

I went in for my biopsy on March 3rd and had a wonderful team of providers. My nurse navigator, Sunnie, was there and made me feel very comfortable. After the procedure and my new cute little boob ice pack, I was sent home to wait for the results. I have come to learn that waiting for results like this is seriously hard! On the day I was told to call in for my results I was extremely anxious to say the least. Adam asked me multiple times if I was ready to call and I just said “in a bit, I’m working”! Finally I knew I had to put on that damn pair of big girl panties and call the office. We called on speaker phone, I told them my name and the lady put us on hold for a long time. When she came back on the phone she immediately said “I’m sorry” and even as I’m typing this my heart starts to race, my eyes start to tear up, and my palms start to sweat. I immediately started to cry. Adam held my hands, and he listened to the words she was saying. I couldn’t comprehend one word during that conversation after hearing “I’m sorry”. After we hung up the phone Adam and I just stared at one another and I said “I’m not ready to die”. My strong, loving, confident husband had so much strength in that one moment for the both of us. He was physically, mentally, and emotionally holding me up and promised me that I won’t die, it’s not my time. We then had to call the lady back because neither one of us really had any idea what she said.

I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast.

Appointments, doctors, appointments, doctors, tests, scans, more appointments, more tests.....And then the world shut down because of Covid.

Needless to say, thankfully we now have a surgery date. June 15, 2020. This date has become THE most significant date of my life for several reasons ❤️

Prayers, well wishes, and positive vibes are appreciated on this date. Adam and I will use this site to continue to update all of you, our family and friends. Please know that Adam, Austin, Ashlyn, and myself are so blessed and thankful for all of your love and support!! ❤️