Yesterday’s Biopsy

 

 

Feel free to skip this if you don’t want to hear the graphic details

 

Sharing the hardest things about yesterday’s stereotactic biopsy:

1. I had to lay still, face down on my painful radiation burned chest with part of my right breast smooshed in a thingamabopper for a long time — about 45 minutes if I judged correctly.    Thankfully the device does not have the vice-like squeezing grip like a mammogram.     If I didn’t have a radiation burned, swollen chest on the left side,  or a arm like my left one which has been a huge challenge since the mastectomy that had to be in such an awkward position for so long , it would have been much easier.  Now that I’ve experienced both, I would say an ultrasound guided biopsy is WAY quicker and nicer than a stereotactic one but this is the kind I needed this time and I got through it ok.

2. The titanium clip marker that is supposed to be left in the breast for future reference of the biopsied area  accidently unknowingly came out when the biopsy needle instrument was withdrawn and it had to be replaced, guided by ultrasound in a separate procedure later which caused me to be late for my GYN appt (I called ahead and let them know I would need to be about 20 minutes late because of the clip glitch) which caused a postponement till next week because that Dr had two procedures scheduled after my appt.

3. It is uncomfortable to have a mammogram and then a repeat mammogram after a breast biopsy. 

 

The best things:

1. It’s over and done.  All the unpleasant stuff I’ve experienced in my fight against cancer is all temporary.

2. The two women involved doing the procedure were kind, compassionate, experienced, and skilled.

3. I had a nice chat with a couple ladies in the different waiting rooms I waited in.  There is quite a “sisterhood” revolving around breast cancer and I have met some wonderful new friends through this.

4. I should know what my pathology report says on Friday. Two radiolooogists apparently have two differing opinions when they compared my latest mammogram with last years and perhaps and maybe even probably, all is well with my right breast. Wow, that sure would be great to have one A-OK breast left intact.

 

 

More “Cancer Fightin’ Words”:

 

NED and I are life long bosom buddies. (HA!  Just thought that one up and love it!) “NED” is the medical terminology for “No evidence of disease”.

 

“Don’t tell God how big your cancer is, instead tell your cancer how big your God is” (Unknown author)

 

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass it’s about learning to dance in the rain!” (Unknown author)

 

I am an active and proactive participant in my own, well thought out health and wellness  plan.  After consulting with expert health care professionals, I get to make the decisions that are best for me.

 

“Yes is a world and in this world of yes I live.” (e.e. cummings) 

 

Lord, every single gift comes from You…“Lift my gaze to see life from Your perspective. Help me to understand-and treasure-every good thing You send…”(From James 1:7)   One Thousand Gifts   http://www.aholyexperience.com/

 

689. Excerpt from article by Dave Dravecky:

 

But God loves who we really are – whether we like it or not. 
God calls us, as He did Adam, to come out of hiding.
“Come to me now,” Jesus says. 
“Acknowledge and accept who I want to be for you:
a Savior of boundless compassion, infinite patience,
unbearable forgiveness, and love that keeps no score of wrongs. 
Quit projecting onto me your own feelings about yourself. 
At this moment your life is a bruised reed and I will not crush it,
a smoldering wick and I will not quench it. 
You are in a safe place.
 BRENNAN MANNING  (ABBA’S CHILD)

 

“God’s grace is an incredible source of fuel for endurance.  It encourages us to keep going even when we stumble because we know He understands and knows our weaknesses – yet He still loves us.  HE LOVES US EVEN ON OUR WORST DAY!!!  This was a huge source of fuel for me to continue walking on my journey with Him knowing … 

 

“If we have only the will to walk, then God is pleased with my stumbles.”
CS LEWIS

Sometimes we are so sick and tired of stumbling that we don’t want to walk anymore.  What a blessing it is to realize that all we need to have is the will to walk with Him, and God is pleased with us – even when we stumble.  That’s an incredible expression of grace.  That is a tremendous motivation to endure.”

 

 

 The LORD makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
PSALM 37:23-24

 

690. I just have two radiation treatments left: today and tomorrow.  After this, I hope never, ever, ever to have any more chemo or radiation, or breast surgery.  The planned Herceptin for a year and hormone blockers for 5 years is all that’s is left on the agenda if all remains stable with no further evidence of disease.  Surely 2012 will be healthier.  Please, Lord?

 

Paula