I have previously used blogs to post about fun stuff like our house remodel but felt that this was the best way to keep you updated on my new path. I am still amazed that so many have asked me to keep them "in the loop". I am overwhelmed with all the Facebook posts, texts, phone calls, cards, etc. I am honored to call you all my friends. Your encouragement touches a very deep place in my heart. Thank you all so much.
For the past two years I have been having regular mammograms and sonograms due to persistent "cysts". The scans showed slow but steady growth and the thought was to keep monitoring them. The staff in the radiology department at Gould became my new best friends. At my last appointment about 3 weeks ago, it was discovered that one "cyst" had doubled in size and another one had also grown. The radiologist thought it was time to drain them and then do a simple biopsy procedure to make sure all was well. Other than being sore and bruised, the biopsy procedure was pretty simple. I went back the next week, expecting to get the same speech I always get, which is "You are fine. See you in 3-6 months". Nope. Not this time.
I was told I have Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia, which means I have pre-cancerous cells in my right breast. I was given an appointment to see a surgeon and an oncologist. REALLY? Who knew? Yep, that would be God but certainly not Roger or me. We had gotten so used to hearing that all was well that it took us a bit by surprise.
So, on March 26, I will be having a partial mastectomy where the surgeon will excise a large amount of breast tissue, which will be sent to pathology. The "expected" result, according to the oncologist, will be to probably find more evidence of pre-cancerous cells but no cancer. If this is the case, I will begin taking Tamoxifen, which has been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells. I quickly agreed, thinking it would be for about 6 weeks. Nope. I was told I would be taking this drug for 5 years. WHAT? I don't even take multivitamins! This will be a hard pill to swallow....no pun intended. The oncologist said the most common side effects are hot flashes and body/joint aches, kind of like that feeling you get when you have the flu. The best way to deal with this is to stay active. I've got that covered!
If the pathology report shows cancer....well, you know. We'll cross that bridge only if we have to.
So, that's it, friends. Many of you have been down this path yourselves. I have had the privilege of praying for you as you walked "your" road. We have laughed and cried together. We have questioned and sought answers. We have conceded that we are strong women and that we will stand together.
No one ever said it was easy but I, for one, am confident in the God I know and love. He was NOT surprised by this and in the midst of my journey He promises to be faithful and in that fact, I am comforted.
By the way, I still plan on participating in the Team in Training Nike Women's Half Marathon in Washington DC at the end of April. It is sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I will now participate with a different perspective than the one I had when I signed up. Life can by funny, yes?
God Bless you all for your kindness and love. <3
