Tale of Two Sisters - A 777 Word Testimony - March 30, 2022

WORDS…. I don’t know how many it will take to express the relief, gratitude, amazement, joy, awe, and wonder of ALL that the Lord has brought Ken and me through in the last two years during my unexpected breast cancer journey!

I am still shocked that it has been two years! Here is a quick review and update:

It began on 2/19/20 when I was woken up with a stabbing pain in my right breast that brought me to tears. I had no idea what was going on, yet I knew it was like NOTHING I had ever felt before.

That was followed up by a prayer/Bible study on March 2nd where ironically, the spiritual roots of breast cancer were discussed. I had already looked into this subject and considered it a godsend that we were able to talk about it with others. Ken and I were given some encouragement on what to consider, Biblically. It was a very helpful evening for many reasons!!! (Consider ordering the book: “A More Excellent Way” by Dr. Henry Wright - it is available via Amazon or via the Be in Health website: https://www.beinhealth.com/

The next month after falling - it was actually a very funny event and we all wish we had a video of it - I opted to go to the doctor and made an appointment for April 15, 2020. I believe God used that fall as a catalyst to get me to the doctor for my annual physical and to discuss the breast pain which had returned a few days before the appointment.

When I returned home, there was a card in the mail from my sister Lacie. Inside was a HOPE bracelet -see photo- that she made for me! Crazy coincidence!!??

I was later referred to MD Anderson after a mammogram and ultrasound revealed a suspicious tumor. They did numerous biopsies and confirmed the diagnosis on 4/23/2020. It was the day before my 53rd birthday. The fight was on!!!

That is how my journey and roller coaster with breast cancer began. In some ways, it was more challenging than I ever expected. In other ways, I am very fortunate to have made it through without needing chemo and choosing not to have radiation. Whichever way you look at it, it has all worked out for good and I am blessed beyond measure!!! Ken and I both!!

Today, March 29, 2022, I had my one-month follow-up to the Diep Flap procedure (double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction) that was done on March 1st at Methodist Hospital in Houston. It has been four weeks of moving slowly, lots of pain meds, and dealing with some minor complications that required a drain to remain in my abdomen for these entire four weeks.

The results of my surgery were seen even more vividly after bandages and glue were removed this morning and OH MY GOODNESS!!! I look amazing and my relocated “abdomen” has never looked better. I say “abdomen” because this is where the tissue was taken from to reconstruct the breasts after the double mastectomy - removal of breast tissue. I actually had to gain weight in order to be eligible for the procedure and it was worth every pound I gained!!!!

It gets better….Although in November 2020, cancer was detected in a lymph node and it was devastating to hear, I was told two weeks ago that “No cancer was detected in the breast tissue or lymph nodes that were removed!”

You may ask, “Well, then why did you have to have your breasts removed if there was no cancer?” Prevention. I had the first tumor removed from my right breast in November 2020. Ten months later, cancer was discovered in the left breast and I did not want to have to deal with another recurrence! Those challenges (breast tissue) have now been removed!!!

As an additional preventative, I have opted to treat my entire body for cancer. I don’t want to end up being told “you are cancer free” only to have a circulating tumor cell find another area of my body and begin building another cancerous tumor! There are options to treat our entire body with minimal issues and cost. I’ll talk more about this next time.

Blessings to you all and MANY THANKS for being a part of this journey with me and for PRAYING!!! It certainly made a difference and brought me through numerous challenging times!! It has most certainly been a roller coaster ride with lots of ups and downs!

Hallelujah!!! I am better than I have been in a long time!!!

WORDS ….. There were 777* in this post and I thank you for reading all of them!!!

*Correction: After a few edits, there are now more than 777 words, however, I am keeping the title the same because I like the number 777 and it was originally how the story was told with 777 words!!!