Healing Well

It’s been quiet here on the blog, simply because I've had a quiet couple of weeks. I saw my surgeon about a week ago for the post-op check-up, and I am healing nicely. So, that is what I have been concentrating on, healing and getting my strength back. However, it’s about time to get busy again.

I met my Oncologist at the end of this past week. She will be the one responsible for my long term care and monitoring for the next five years. I will go on a hormone drug for five years as a means of reducing the risk of the cancer reoccurring. However, I will not start on it until after I have finished radiation treatment.

Speaking of radiation, many of you have asked about it, and the planning for it will begin this upcoming Tuesday. I will have much more specific information after that appointment, including how long treatment should last. I do know that I must see my surgeon one more time for her to make sure I have healed sufficiently from surgery to begin, and that appointment is not until mid-May. So my expectations are to begin radiation very shortly after that time. Again, I will know much more after Tuesday’s appointment.

It is comforting to hear consistent information about my prognosis at each appointment. I am continually struck by the comments of amazement that the cancer was found at such an early stage and small size. God indeed did grant me mercy and grace over this. I have been spared a much harder road than many women have had to walk, and my news continues to flow with abundant goodness. I just have to keep singing of God’s great goodness, power, and love. He is indeed amazing. He is the reason my mental state has been as positive as it has been. I know it sounds trite and redundant, but He is indeed so very very good.

Thank you again for all of your support and prayers. You are God’s goodness in action in this world. I am truly blessed.

Choose Joy!

The Report is In

The caller ID said it was my surgeon calling, the Pathology Report was in. “I have a good report” says the surgeon to open the conversation.

“I like a good report” I reply.

The news is indeed all good. The margins are all clear and all three of the lymph nodes removed showed no signs of cancer. The final size of the tumor was almost the same as the initial ultrasound measurement, showing no significant growth. My report is Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 1a. More importantly, the cancer is gone from my body and I do not need any additional surgery.

For the next week or two, my job is to heal from surgery, and then the “preventive maintenance” as I am calling it will begin. I have appointments for the surgeon to give me the “all clear” from surgery and to meet my Oncologist for the first time. She will be the one to monitor me and my treatments for the next several years. Once I get the “all clear” from the surgeon, radiation treatment planning will begin. At that point, I’ll know exactly what the rest of my treatment plans will be.

God has been faithful and good through all of this. I have been supported and loved by so many people. I have been prayed for all over the country and even around the world. I am amazed at the outpouring of His love through His people. I have had peace when it seemed impossible. I am also the poster girl for early detection, something I fully believe He orchestrated.

Thank you all for your support, your kind words, food, and your prayers. I cannot begin to explain how much they have meant to me and lifted my spirits.

Choose Joy!

Two Days After Surgery

Well, it has been about 48 hours since surgery. I am doing amazingly well. I'm down to Tylenol for pain and most of the fuzziness has disappeared. I'm still sore and a bit tired, but I am up and can move around fairly well. I will even be allowed to shower later today!

We are waiting for the final pathology report to confirm that the cancer had not gotten into the lymph nodes. That will indeed be wonderful news. Otherwise, I need to heal before radiation begins, probably in about 3 weeks.

God has been very good during all of this. I also want to thank everyone for the prayers and support. I can't begin to explain how much it has lifted my spirits to know that you care.

Choose Joy!

Home from Surgery

Just a quick post, I am home from surgery, sore and groggy, but otherwise well. Surgery went well, and no cancer in lymph nodes.

Surgery Tomorrow

Well, surgery is tomorrow. The day will start early, but I should be home sometime in the afternoon if there are no delays. I'm off to my final pre-op appointment shortly. Hard to keep the nerves at bay today, but God is keeping the serious anxiety in check. Hopefully we will find a way to get an update here after surgery with the latest status. In the meantime, thank you for all the prayers you have made on my behalf so far and I know will continue to make.

I hope everyone had a joyous Easter. We certainly did.

Choose Joy!