So, I may have gotten a little excited this past week but
good news is good news, right? I have beaten breast cancer but does that mean
my journey is over? No . . . my “pathway to recovery” continues.
Forgive me if I thought my medical oncologist would look at
me last Friday and say, “You beat it! You’re good to go!” Instead, she/they are
going to closely monitor me as the highest risk for reoccurrence is within the
first two years following treatment. In addition, since I carry the BRCA2 gene AND
have a 1 in 10,000 mutation AND since I had breast cancer, in both breasts, I
am at a slightly higher risk for melanoma. If you will remember, I had a
melanoma removed in 2011, which was benign. I had two moles removed last
spring, and they were benign. To that end, I have a history of melanoma, which
creates even more concern.
I guess it is impossible for an oncologist to use the word
“cure” since it implies, in this case, cancer would be gone forever. So, I suppose
the best a doctor can do is say they can find no signs of cancer in your body
at "that" time. Even though my surgeon told me he felt good he got it all, and
there is no evidence, the fact remains there is always a chance some cancer
cells are left in my body and survived. Even though I had chemo, there is still
a chance.
I will be returning to the Cancer Treatment Center of
America in Chicago sometime in May for an outpatient surgery, as well as meet
with my gyno-oncologist and medical oncologist. They are trying to get a few
things in check that are not in check at this time before scheduling me for my three
month follow-ups.
So, when do we officially get to celebrate, popping the
bubbly? Why not today! Today is a day of celebration.!Yes, it is our ten month wedding
anniversary, it is also a day of life, a day of hope. And when I say hope, I’m
not talking about our wishy-washy maybes. In scripture, the word hope is an
indication of certainty, meaning a “strong and confident expectation”. We have
much to celebrate.
I praise God every day for the gift of breast cancer and how
He’s by my side along our “pathway to recovery”. And for the many people,
especially women, who He puts in my path every day, who bless me, I in turn
desire to be a blessing to others. Even when the “waves are kicking me under”,
(you guessed it! Stronger by Mandisa), I will continue to fight with all I have.
I know God will continue to give me the fight within and the strength to face
each day with gratitude, not fear or worry . . . making me stronger! Speaking
of stronger, remember “our God is stronger, God You are higher than any other,
Our God is Healer . . .” I love this song, “Our God” by Chris Tomlin. My God is
healer. I have put my life in His hands and my faith and trust in Him. I desire
to bring glory to God through all of my life, just not the good times, but in
it all.
Before I left Friday, I asked my oncologist when do women
celebrate their one year, five year, ten year, etc. survivorship? She said from
the day they are diagnosed. Today is not July 30, nor was last Friday, but I
don’t want to wait til then! Our "pathway to recovery" continues so let the celebration begin!
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