Visit with the surgeon

I was weeping all the way to my appointment this morning because the love, assurance and presence of God was so overwhelming. You guys are obviously praying because I feel like I am cradled right in the palm of His hand. I have absolutely no fear or apprehension about what lies ahead.

When I went to see the surgeon this morning, (Dr. Larry Gardner), the nurse, Nancy who greeted me had no hair, she explained to me that she has breast cancer and is undergoing Chemo, that she hates wigs, she also assured me that I would be OK and that Dr. Gardner is a highly skilled surgeon. I told her that I am in the hands of the Great Physician and I'm very grateful that He directed me to one of His exceptional Dr.'s here on earth.

Bill went with me and we were both very pleased with the consultation. Dr. Gardner spent an hour with us, he examined me, did an ultra sound to get a better look, took the time to explained everything while drawing all these little diagrams that he gave us to take with us, gave me several options and then answered all our questions. He even gave me a letter to excuse me from jury duty that was scheduled to possibly start tomorrow. We taped the whole session so that we can listen to it again to be sure that we heard everything. I have an appointment with an Oncologist tomorrow afternoon, Dr. Ann Weirman, she comes highly recommended by a Breast Cancer survivor. It is a miracle that I got in to see her so quickly, she was booked for 3 weeks solid and then the girl noticed that "somehow" (thank you, Lord!) she had an opening at her new office (which is much closer to me) tomorrow at 2:30. I will also be scheduled for several tests, including (BRCA) genetic testing. Unless something urgent comes to light before the genetic testing comes back I am going to wait for those results... it takes about 3-4 weeks. Then with all the information that the tests show I will make the decision as to whether I'll have a lumpectomy, mastectomy or bi-lateral mastectomy.

I'll probably have more to report after I see the Oncologist tomorrow.

Biopsy Results

I got the report today and it is not what we had hoped, however I'm sure it will all work out fine. As I was sitting in church yesterday listening to the Easter sermon what kept going through my mind and what I wrote down in my notes was "we may be disappointed and mourn the way things sometimes turn out, but if we believe our lives are in God's hands, and that He is in control then no matter what happens we will be able to cope with it and it's OK because He will use it to His glory. If we are truly followers of Jesus we can't be worried about our lives. We have to surrender complete trust in God's control over our lives." That is exactly how I feel and I know nothing that happens in God's economy is wasted. So I will proceed with whatever the specialist tells me to do, my appointment with him is not until next Monday morning, so until then I really can't guess what will happen next. I do have a malignancy, it is quite small and as far as I know it is treatable. As always I appreciate your prayers, please don't worry though I'm going to be just fine.

Biopsy

I sure felt all the prayers today as I went through the biopsy will no problems and I was as calm as if I was getting a pedicure. Well, it wasn't quite that much fun, but I really wasn't the least bit nervous or scared. My prayer was that they would do a thorough sampling and if there is anything there they would find it. The Dr. decided to do the sampling in 4 different areas as opposed to just one, so I feel like the first part of my prayer was answered. I should know the rest by Monday. The best part is they told me to take it easy and NO housework for a couple of days! Yippee!

Mammo Update

Here is the latest update on my Mammo situation. I went Weds. for an additional mammo and an ultra sound of my right breast. I was told that they would read the results right away and if there was anything serious they would call my Dr. right away, if it was routine they would call by Friday. So when I didn't hear anything I was feeling like it was going to be no big deal.

When I called my Dr. Office today for the results they put me to voicemail and never called back, so I called the place that did the tests and asked if I could pick up a copy of the report, they said sure so I went right over and got it. It stated that they had called my Dr. office on Weds. with the report recommending that I get a biopsy ASAP.

The findings said "indeterminate microcalcifications are identified in the upper-outer right breast. Ovoid density is identified adjacent to these calcifications. Ultrasound demonstrates a cyst in this region. However, large core breast biopsy is recommended of the microcalcifications within the right breast. 9mm complex cyst is identified in the 10:00 position of the right breast. There is no evidence of solid mass or other abnormality. There are no secondary signs of malignancy.

I'm scheduled to get a biopsy next Weds. afternoon and then see the specialist on the 31st for the results. I'm pretty upset with my Dr. for not calling me sooner with the results of the test. I had the test results faxed over to the office where Maria works and she took care of making all the appointments through her office since I had previously been a patient of Dr. Montoya (he did my hysterectomy). I really appreciated her intervention, I'm not sure what I'll say when my Dr's office calls to tell me the test results (if they ever do). Don't think I'll be going back there.

The Beginning - Got an abnormal Mammogram

Would appreciate some prayers about this, I'm having an Ultra Sound next Weds. because the Mammo I had last Monday came back abnormal and a definite change from previous ones. I know that my life is in God's hands but I think the waiting until I know what's coming next is the hard part.