I found a lump in my breast, saw a doctor, got an ultrasound, had a biopsy done, and sat with the worst anxiety of my life... all in the span of twenty-four hours.

Thankfully, I’ve just found out that it is benign, and will be seeing a breast specialist in about a year to make sure it hasn’t grown or developed.

I am begging you all to wear your masks— because no terrified nineteen-year-old (or ANYONE, for that matter) should have to go through the things I had to go through last week all alone. But because of the state of the world, that is safety protocol (and it must be respected!).

I want to send a huge thank you to everyone at New Century Imaging in Oradell, NJ for taking the best care of me, Dr. Malone for easing my anxieties, my nurses Anne and Michelle for being the absolute kindest, and my mom for waiting outside, as close as she could be.

(Also a huge shoutout to Dr. C for keeping me sane and updated throughout the past week.)

This was a really scary week for me, and though my results were positive, that isn’t the case for so many other people. I am thinking of them today, and I hope you will, too.

Thursday begins Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so let this serve as a reminder to check yourself regularly! That is how I found the lump in the first place, and how so many people notice irregularities in their breasts. Urge your pals to do the same. Early detection saves lives.

Anyways— that’s all, folks. Wear your mask, please vote, hug your loved ones, and live your life. I love you; loving you is the easiest thing for me to do.