A tale of 3 women ~ and breast cancer
Woman #1 is faith filled. She radiates it all the time. She is generous, gracious and has a big heart. She has fought and beaten breast cancer, once before, over 7 years ago. She lost her hair, her stamina, but not once did she stop believing and working towards making herself stronger, spiritually and physically. She is the kind of woman that will do for anyone else in a heart beat.
Woman #2 is smart. She educated, savvy, sharp. She's generous, strong, fun loving, always in the "know". She is a trusted confidant and always pitches in regardless of the circumstances. She has had fibroadeonma and/or cysts many times in the past and has had them surgically removed. Did I mention that she also has a sense of humor? She recently called herself a "fibroadenoma farm".
Woman #3 is me. I know nothing about breast cancer. I have always walked "silently" at the Komen Race for my friend #1 and all of the nameless woman that have fought the battle and won and those that have lost. I always thought about it as "walking for my sisters", no matter who "they" were.
The last 4 weeks all of us have had something eerily in common. Doctor's appointments, mammograms done, ultrasound reports studied. And then we all waited. I think the worst part is the wait. Nothing you can do to change it now. It is what is it...but when will you know WHAT IS IT?
photo courtesy of flickr
Will the news make you jump for joy or cry in anguish?
Woman #1 found out that yes, her breast cancer has returned. What will happen from here is uncertain. She has endless Doctor's appointments to decide what road to take, how it will be done and how will it be handled this time. She's a veteran at this.
Woman #2 found out that she definitely has a "mass" of some sort and has surgery already scheduled. The Doctor's don't believe it's cancerous, but non the less it will need to be removed. She's been through this before also. She knows the drill, knows what questions to ask, knows what her outcome will be.
and then there is me. Waiting, waiting.
After putting off my annual exams for a few years with my Doctor because "I never made the time". One Doctor appointment let to another and then the story started unfolding...faster than I was ready for. Today I met with the surgeon, she's trying to determine exactly what my lump is and will is be necessary to remove? I'll know if it's cancerous and how this story, the wait of 4 weeks, will end on Monday. So, I will be patient again. Pushing it out of my mind and forcing a smile.
I ask you that if you haven't made that annual appointment, don't delay another second. Don't think that it can't happen to you, like I did. Here are examples of three women living their lives until the last 4 weeks. Pick up that phone and do something about it. If you think your too busy, your not. Not too busy for you and your family's future. Nothing else is more important than that, right?
What is easy to do, is also easy not to do. Jim Rohn
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Sheila, I hope all turns out well and that it is just a lump. I will remember you in my prayers. On a positive note, my older sister had breast cancer surgery at age 39 and is now 65. Thankfully, it did not return. I need to check and see when I had my last mammogram. I will be checking your blog on Monday.
Sheila, please, please have whatever it is removed. My mother had a "benign" mass that, after the first biopsy, her doctor pretty much ignored. When she switched doctors, the new one took it out. By this time it was stage two cancer. She is in her 80's, and at that age it is a much less aggressive disease. But what I've decided is that there is no such thing as a benign mass. Big hug! I'll say a bunch of prayers for you.
@Shirley-gosh, the more I talk about this the more I learn....make that appointment!
@Pat-This has been a lump that I had tested 3 years ago and they said "don't bother" I now have a new Doc and she says "let's investigate further"...which is what we are doing. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!
Sweetie, I had a biopsy done and it was the source of tremendous stress. I understand exactly how you feel. I've been sick for a while now... I will keep you in my prayers. Love, C.
Sheila, I had a lot to say so I sent you a private email. I was diagnosed in 1998. Had both breasts removed by choice. 6 years later I changed doctors and a baseline scan was ordered. He found a 5cm tumor in my adrenal gland. Technically I was now Stage IV. March of 2009 was my 5 year anniversary from that surgery. My latest scan was clean.
My best advice to anyone facing this is to become as educated on the subject as possible. Get a second opinion. Travel to the biggest and best facility you can afford to go to. Preferably a teaching university hospital. Go to Johns Hopkins breast center online and Dr.Susan Love for reliable information.
Above all, never give up hope. There are many treatment options available that did not exist 20 years ago. Select the most aggressive treatment option for your particular circumstance. If necesary, throw vanity to the wind and do radical surgery. The goal is survival. Reconstruction can come later.
Include in your wellness plan time to Pray for strength and healing.
Woman #2 does not know what her outcome will be, but takes solace in statistics until she does. Thinking of you, girl. <3
Sheila: Be positive and know that there is power in prayer and we will keep you and your friends in our prayers. Ceil
My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Shelia-As a 5 yr breast cancer survivor myself. It can be very stressful and the waiting can be one of the worst things. You are in my thoughts and prayers. :-)
C- I didn't know? I'm praying and thinking of you :)
Bonnie- Oh, My! Thank you for the private email...I needed that :)
Woman #2- That's why I call you the smart girl :)
Ceil- your so sweet! Thanks.
Janie- Thank you, I feel so loved.
Pat - Awesome for you! Thanks for the prayers!
I pushed it manually. There was some kind of error message but It's fixed now.
Thanks K...I love you!
I pray that you are not another one of my friends with breast cancer. I have so many now that I just don't know what to do other than pray. I am part of a group of ladies called "chemo fairies" which help a friend whose cancer is resurfaced in her blood. Keep the faith girl!
My mom is a breast cancer survivor as well. I had my first sonogram done at 28 and mammogram at 30. You have reminded me that it is that time again to get another mammogram. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, as are your friends.
Sheila, Breast cancer is one of the scariest things a woman can face. I know so many who have been so brave and strong and like you, I have been number three. Walking in the three day or the Komen...I will keep you in my thoughts and I really want to thank you for speaking from your heart about something so personal. Please keep us posted.
As you said, keep smiling....and breathing. I will be praying.
My annual appt is next Friday. ;}
Sheila - Wiating to hear back on something is always scary. You automatically think the worse because you think it will help you prepare. I am actually opposite, I try to think positive... well, not all the time... but I do think it helps (at least thats what I tell myself). Please do keep us posted on your results. Hopefully all goes well and you had nothing to worry about.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Sometimes as we face the unexpected we find out things that make us fight and become more strong. I fight every single day to enjoy my time with my family and friends. Some people you can share things with, others you can't. It's funny how sometimes you can recognize something in another that makes you click and be able to say just about anything. I know it took a lot to write that post and we your friends salute and honor you. Keep the faith sweetie. I have faith I'll be making noise for a long time across the blogosphere with you and K (LOL). Our Daddy in Heaven loves us. There is nothing he can't do so we just have to do our part and let Him have the rest. :-)
Sheila - I hope you are OK....20 years ago I got the call from my doctor at lunch that he had 2 calls and 1 was good and 1 was bad...mine was the good call. 4 years later, mine was the bad call....everything worked out and I've just had my first implant replaced because of a weight loss effort over the last 12 months.