Today I received news that I have stage 3 Breast Cancer. To say this was a shock is kind of an understatement. I think I am still in somewhat of a shock so if this is all over the place that is why. I really just felt that I needed to write down my feelings and all that so I can look back on this when its all over and laugh at how scared I was.
About a year ago, I felt a hard lump in my left breast. I had just finished nursing Avery, so I just figured it was a clogged duct or something. A few months later I felt the same thing in my right breast, so I knew it was just from nursing. A few months after that, the one in my right breast disappeared so I really didnt think much of it. The one in my left breast stayed and kept getting bigger and harder. About a month ago, I noticed it was quite big..like a golf ball-maybe bigger and it felt like it had little bumps all over it. I dont have health insurance, so I kinda put it off (which by the way is so stupid and no one should EVER do) While we were in Arizona for Christmas, one of my long time friends mom died of Breast Cancer. After hearing a little about her story and what she went through, I just kept thinking about it and getting more worried. So I told Bill that I was worried about it and I went into the Doctor the next day. They sent me to do a mamogram and an ultra sound the following week. Waiting for that appointment was torture. I just wanted to know what it was. I think Bill was taking it harder than me. So finally Tuesday came and I went in not really knowing what to expect. This place wasnt for young people like me. Breast Cancer does not even run anywhere in my family. I think I was the youngest one in that room by like 30 years. Although I do have saggy boobs, so we had that in common. (Yikes-thank you 5 breastfed kids!!) The poor lady that gave me the mammogram was like 2 feet smaller than me and had to use both hands just to get me situated. For any one who has had one of those-holy crap-it was uncomfortable. They flatten you just like a pancake. I could see the screen from where I was standing and I could noticably see something on the screen. She took quite a bit more pictures of the left breast in all different angles. I started to think that something was up, but I was still hoping that it was a cyst or something and that I was worring for nothing. They sent me back to the waiting room to wait for the ultra sound. Bill and I were texting eachother the whole time and the poor guy was going to have a heart attack. They wouldnt let him back because there were so many woman and boobs. I really hated having to do it myself, but I felt that Bill was there because he was telling me not to worry and that it was going to be ok. He kept my mind off of things by giving me Office trivia-what a guy!! During the Ultrasound, the tech was going over spots and stopping and taking pictures and measuring just like a baby ultrasound. She left and got the Doctor and he came in, sat down and made himself comfortable-using my right breast as a nice arm rest while he did the ultrasound on my left one. I never did ask what they were, I think I knew it wasnt good. He asked if he could do a biopsy right there. I asked him if Bill could come back and he agreed. Bill is nice to have around because he asks all the questions that I dont think of. I really just needed his support. So he came in and immediatly asked the Doctor what it was. The Doctor told him that I had several tumors, one of them in my lymphnode. Bill was blunt and asked if it was bad and the doctor was just as blunt and said "its not good."
Waiting is the hardest part. Trying to be positive but still wondering. If I didnt have such a strong support system here, I think I would have gone crazy. My mother in law had made plans a while back to come visit during January-she is crazy and she likes the snow and the cold. It just happend that she was coming on the same day as my appointment. She and my sister in law Andrea watched our kids. I was so glad to have her here for this waiting period. She is so calming and it was really good for Bill to have his mom here. I wish I had my mom here too. I think it was worse for my parents not being able to be here-just waiting for news. We were able to stay busy for the 2 days of waiting by going to lunch, I got my hair done, we had family dinner and just hung out. Today we all fasted and tried to stay busy but I had my phone in my hand the whole day just waiting for it to ring, but not really wanting in to. I finally had had enough and called. The nurse said she had the results back but she was waiting for the radioligist to read them and then they would give me a call. I ran to the grocceri store with my sis in law and Mom in law to get some things for dinner-I thought I had about an hour. I was in the hair gel isle when my phone rang. The nurse asked if I would talk to the doctor. When he got on the phone he told me that he was sorry to have to tell me that it was in fact cancer. I really didnt think they were going to tell me over the phone. And to be honest, I really wasnt expecting it to be cancer. Not at all. I had been fasting all day and I literally almost fainted. He kept talking but I really didnt hear much after that. I just wanted to find the others and get out of there. Bill kept calling me, but I couldnt answer. I didnt want to tell him over the phone. Just as we pulled in, the bus was dropping the kids off, so Andrea took them back to her house so Bill and I could talk. Bill called the doctor back to ask some questions since I had no idea what he had said, and I called my parents. My dad has a way of calming me with his words of wisdom and I was so thankful for the things he told me because I really needed to be calmed. The radiologist said that it doesnt look like it has spread anywhere past the lymphnode, but until they do an MRI they wont know. So we praying that it hasnt spread. I have an appointment tomorrow with the surgeon to see what our next step is. Bill has been a rock to me during this time. Bill has some health anxiety and I was really worried what this might do to him, but he has been so great to me and has picked me up when I felt like crawling in bed and pulling the covers over my head. I love you babe!!
I just wanted to tell everyone how grateful I am-we are- for everyones overwhelming support. My parents have told me how many people have called them and given their support and how many people fasted today in our behalf. People I dont even know, but know my parents and love them. It has been such an amazing experience. I have felt comfort and love and I know its because of all the prayers. Its the scariest time of my life, but its also the most amazing. I have never in my life experienced anything like it-and for that, I am truely grateful. Its all so overwhelming. We told the kids and they are taking it pretty good. Im not sure that they really understand, but it makes me feel better to know that they arent worried. My mom is going to come up next week and stay for a while to help out with the kids during the surgery (and we all know that sometimes you just need your mommy), my sister is coming, as well as my brother and his wife. Just a few hours ago, Bills whole family called and said they are packing up the cars and coming tomorrow. Just like that. And anyone who knows the Lomus knows that they are not spur of the moment kind of people. I feel so loved and so blessed to have family that is willing to drop everything to come and give me the support that I need right now. How could anyone with this much love not have a positive attitude?? I really feel comfort from my Father in Heaven and I know that I will be alright. He is blessing me and my family more than we deserve.
I know that this is a novel, but im glad I was able to write it all down so I will remember how I felt. I still have a life and kids and lots of happy things to keep me grounded, so dont expect any doom and gloom here. I have a weird sense of humor.
Thanks again and Love to you all!!!