I went MIA in May {shocker}. Things got a little crazy. My mama went in for a routine check up and they found a lump that they wanted to get a second opinion on. That was enough to spook us a bit. So she went in for some tests and the word we dreadfully feared and hoped we would not ever have to say, became a part of our vocab. She was diagnosed with early stages of breast cancer; the lump was malignant. That word alone was a difficult thing to say and was terrifying to think about. However, Mom embraced an "ain't no thang" attitude and had so much faith in the doctors and their ability to take care of her. Hey, if Mom isn't worried then everything is A-OK right?
So we prayed and continued to have faith that it would all work out. The tough thing about cancer is that you have to take it step by step and each time a test is run or an appointment is had, you have to wait for what seems like forever to learn of the results or determine what happens next. Well, we knew this was cancer, but we didn't know if it had spread or if this was something that could easily be taken care of. So Mom went in for a bone and lung scan and after waiting again, for what seemed like forever, it came back NEGATIVE! HUGE sigh of relief! That, of course, was the most terrifying part. The last thing you want is for cancer to spread into other parts of the body. Next step was to figure out where to go from there. Mom's mom {my sweet G-ma--> who, by the way, had the same "ain't no thang" attitude} went through this already and had a mastectomy. Because of that and other factors, we knew my mom's risks were very high and so the fear set in that if not everything was taken, will it come back? If we don't try to eliminate it all, will this nightmare become a reality again? So Mom spoke with the doctors and the doctors gave her the options, but strongly suggested a double mastectomy. This would be her best chance of never having to go through this again and kicking it to the curb. It was already incredibly difficult to pin point the area and to top it off, her risk factors were through the roof. Hence, the decision to have a double mastectomy.
Well mama went in for surgery and they also removed a lymph node. ALL of which came back negative from what they could tell on the spot! We just needed to wait on official results. Major plus and cause for much optimism! She recovered so nicely with the help of many AMAZING family and friends who supported her, prayed for her, and helped her every step of the way. We waited for a couple of weeks and now we can all say with confidence, that they got all of it and she will not be needing ANY radiation or chemo! Yay!!! Praise the Lord!
I know this will always be a scar, but how fortunate are we to be able to get through it and put it behind us? We get to make it just a memory and move on with confidence knowing that this was just a hurdle and that my mom is cancer free!
I always knew I aspired to be like my mother and she was all I ever wanted to be. However, this whole situation could not have affirmed that anymore! She has been the most positive person throughout it all. When we were worried or scared, she was so courageous and comforting. She is not bitter or angry. In fact, she praises the Lord every day for all the things that went right through all of this and all the struggles she overcame. Our God is an amazing God and I am so proud of all the friends and family that we get to claim as our own. Truly a blessing!
My Mom is my best friend and I could not ask for a better one. Love you mama!
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