the C word

No...not that one. The one no one ever wants to hear a doctor say...CANCER. I found out December 27th that I have it. That lump I mentioned finding in October...it wasn't just a cyst like it felt like it was supposed to be. It hadn't changed or gone away at my two month follow up, so I was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. During the ultrasound, the tech had a funny look and asked if my doctor had mentioned doing a biopsy during the ultrasound. (I pretty much knew then that something was wrong and that it wasn't good.)

Fast forward a week...I get a phone call at 5:30 from my doctor (had never gotten a personal phone call from a doctor before that) and was told that the results weren't what he was expecting. The biopsy showed stage one invasive ductal carcinoma and some ductal carcinoma in situ. I was told that it was grade one (which means it is very slow growing and not aggressive) and about two centimeters. I was told I had an appointment with a surgical oncologist for the next day (thankfully, he's the best in the area and agreed to see me BEFORE he left for vacation). He wanted a clearer picture so he scheduled me for a breast MRI the following Wednesday. He called me on his way home from vacation to let me know that he wanted to schedule surgery for the following Tuesday and let me know that there was a spot that concerned him on the right breast. We quickly discussed surgery options, but I had already decided that a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction was really my only option. He set me up to see the best plastic surgeon in the area
for my consultation on what to expect with that part of surgery and recovery.

I had surgery on January 8th. We were given an estimated surgery time of 3-4 hours. Kevin told me it was finished in about an hour. The surgical oncologist did a sentinal node biopsy to make sure the cancer hadn't started spreading to lymph nodes. All those came back negative. The cancer hadn't spread outside the lump in the left breast. The suspicious spot in the right breast appeared to be a fibrocystic mass. I was supposed to stay in the hospital for at least 2 nights, but I got to go home the next day. The nurses were amazed at how well I was doing, and one even called me Superwoman. The plastic surgeon came in to check on me and said I was doing so well and he wanted me to go home so I could actually rest.

In the two weeks since surgery, I've had three of the four drains they put in during surgery removed. I've met with my oncologist (also one of the best in the area). I found out that I'll have to have chemo...only 4 sessions over a 12 week period. I also found out that the cancer had positive receptors for estrogen and progesterone, so I'll be put on tamoxifen after chemo is over.

I'm doing really well. I wish I could do more than I can...it's hard feeling well but not having the mobility that I need to be able to do what I want. I think my attitude has had a lot to do with how well I've done through it all. I KNOW that the Lord has been there throughout...from finding the small lump, to having the best team of doctors, to having surgery two weeks after the initial diagnosis, to having minimal pain and complications, the girls doing amazingly well with their world being uprooted for two weeks and coming home to a totally different schedule, and having amazing support from family and friends.

Everyone has asked what they can do. Right now, just pray for these things:
1- I had genetic testing done to see if I have a mutated gene that makes me more likely to get breast cancer and ovarian cancer. The results should be back soon. I NEED that to be negative.
2- Pray that I continue to heal quickly and well. Pray for minimal sickness from chemo and that the reconstruction process goes smoothly.
3- Pray that the girls continue to do well with all of these changes and difficulties.
4- Pray that Kevin gets enough rest...right now, he's teaching, preaching, and having to take care of most of my responsibilities.
5- Pray that the financial burden of this will be minimal and that our insurance steps up and covers most of the cost.
There are probably tons of other things, but I can't think of them right now. I'll try to update regularly on how I'm doing and where I am in the process.