Truly Grateful

I'm back! :)  Still have some healing to do, but I'm feeling well.  I've included a card above that I made, but this post is not about the card.

Today I'm sharing a personal story.  As my post title says ... I am TRULY GRATEFUL! And this is why ...

If you are one of my regular followers, you will remember me mentioning on Aug. 27th that I was taking a medical break.  At that time, I wasn't ready to share my story.  My emotions were very raw and I didn't know what the outcome would be. It's only now that I am able to share and hope it may help others.

In February I found a lump in my left breast.  I have lipoma (benign lumps of fatty tissue - mainly in my arms and legs), so I assumed the lump in my breast was one of those.  Then I started feeling uneasy about it so I went to my doctor.

He ordered a Mammogram and Ultrasound at the local hospital.  I had to wait two months to get it, but it was good that I went.  The lump I felt was a lipoma - thank goodness.  At the same time, the Mammogram also showed something suspicious hiding right underneath it.  I had to have a biopsy.

Two more months to wait ... waiting was one of the hardest things!  I was sick with worry and it seemed like forever for the two months to pass.  Finally on June 30th, I had my biopsy and a week later the results were in ... I have breast cancer.  I was devastated and scared.

Six weeks later I went in for surgery.  That was Aug. 29th, just a couple of days after signing off my blog for a while.  As well as removing the cancer, six of my sentinel nodes in my underarm were removed for biopsy to find out if the cancer had spread beyond the breast.  More waiting and worrying.

I just found out two days ago the cancer has not spread.  The surgeon feels she got it all, the margins were clear and the nodes all tested negative for cancer.  There were lots of tears of relief that day.  It was the BEST news!

This isn't over yet ... I still need to have more treatments.  I will be meeting with an Oncologist at the Cancer Clinic in the next few weeks or so.  Radiation is given to patients who have this type of surgery to make sure the cancer doesn't grow back. There may be other treatments as well, but I won't find out until I meet with the Oncologist.

I can now tell you that today I am in a good place! :)  And that's why I am truly grateful. It took just over seven months from the time I found the lump to get to this place. There are a few more months to go with treatments before everything is said and done, but the hardest part is over.  It's been exhausting and I know I am lucky because the cancer was found early and dealt with quickly.  I don't know what lies ahead for me ... none of us do.  I am hopeful after my treatments are finished, I won't hear the word cancer from my doctor ever again.  That is my hope.

From me to you ... make sure to do a self-exam of your breasts regularly.  And if you notice something is different, see your doctor right away to have a Mammogram.

I want to thank my family and friends who helped me through this extremely difficult time.  I love you all and appreciate you beyond words.

I also want to thank all who sent me positive emails of encouragement, prayers and beautiful cards during my medical break.  Each and every positive message I received made my days better and helped me get through the tough times.  Thank you so very much!