Cancer Journey-Update

Thought I’d give you a pic of me with hair, in celebration of the fact that mine is growing.  I got about a half inch goin’ on, and it is thickening up
It is also my husband, Todd’s, birthday today, so I thought I’d put him up there too!
(*update–it is his birthday tomorrow…I’m laughing at myself b/c I wished him a happy bday thing morning when I was half asleep. I bet he thought I was nuts and had a good chuckle…CHEMO BRAIN!!)
Ready to continue on this crazy “up and down” ride with me??
My last post told you the lump my physical therapist recently found was bone and scar tissue.  This was checked by a nurse practitioner, by feeling, not a doctor.

I had PT therapy again yesterday morning, and again, she spent a bit of time feeling the lump area, with a puzzled look on her face.  We discussed the possibility of me visiting Dr. Hinze, my plastic surgeon, because he was the last one in there and may have a better idea if it is scar tissue.

As I left my PT session, I received a call from my good friend, Nancy, who gently told me a story of a friend of hers with breast cancer who also  found a lump shortly after her mastectomy and was told it was scar tissue.  It ended up being cancer, and she regretted not getting a second opinion.  She told me to follow my gut and was really encouraging.  

Those two things were enough to get me to call Dr. Hinze office.  They had just happened to have a cancellation for the following morning– this morning.

So thankful I could get in right away.
God fits all the pieces for me.

I saw Dr. Hinze.  He could visually see the lump we were talking about and when he felt it, he agreed it would be good to check it out.  He was so very, very kind and reassuring…always has been.

His nurse, who also has been amazing every step, took me into her office to coordinate with my radiation oncologist, Dr. Rao, who I was supposed to see this coming Monday.  He is another doctor whose gentleness was so appreciated today. Even though we have not met yet, he has called me personally several times and has been so kind on the phone.  He asked the nurse to talk to me and he said “We are going to check this out.  We are all here for you and are going to take good care of you. We need to know what this is, as it may change the plan. I will call you the minute I get the biopsy results.  Try not to worry, everything will be ok”  He was so sincere.  I can’t wait to meet him.

Doctors and nurses (and physical therapists!) have become my heroes.  I have been so blessed by them.The plan:
I will go to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Monday morning, to have the biopsy done.  Surgery is at 10:20.  It will be strange to be where I had my mastectomy again.  It is a quick procedure, I will be in “twilight” sleep.  

I am not sure how soon we will have the biopsy results back.  That is ok, I’m getting better at this waiting thing..

Today I feel…quiet.  Contemplative.

I feel so thankful that everything worked out so quickly.  I feel thankful that I was somewhat prepared for this day, because of the hard day that I told you about last journal entry. I feel so very taken care of by my medical “team” of doctors.  I feel the Lord’s peace.

I also feel sad.  

But then I am reminded of this — I read it last night.  It prepared me and gave me a visual of what the God of the Universe does with my tears.