Second Mammogram

I went to the hospital to have the mammogram.

I knew my primary care physician got the results of the second mammogram. I called the doctor’s nurse. “Could you tell anything from the mammogram? If something is wrong with me, I want to know.”

“No, the only thing I see is a spot a 9 o’clock.  I told the nurse that  I’ve had to have a second mammogram, and it was nothing.”

My doctor called later that evening. “I’m just going to be straight with you. I’ve looked at the mammogram and it looks like it’s malignant.”

I broke down in tears.  My little world just got turned upside down and I felt like someone had punched me in the gut.

My daughter got mad saying, “That’s just a bunch of bull crap! That’s what they say! If God can raise me up when I was a sick preemie in the NICU, He is going to take care of you! You are not going down. You are going over!

My daughter and I went to the tent meeting that our church’s outreach was hosting. Everything was a blur. I never tell anyone about things that I go through, but  I did tell one friend and that was unusual because I am a very private person when it comes to things about me.

I received another call from St. Mary’s saying,”Before the biopsy could be scheduled, the hospital had to have orders from my primary care physician.”

I called my primary care physician and his nurse said, “He has twenty things on his desk. He will try and look at it. I was getting more and more frustrated.

My daughter came into the kitchen, saying, “Now Mama, you know you have to be nice to them.” My daughter didn’t really understand what was going on or the importance of that phone call.

I asked the receptionist on the phone, “You are going to get my orders, right?” The lady said the hospital had been bugging them all day about sending in orders. She assured me that they would.

I said, “Okay. The hospital said if they don’t have the orders by the end of business today, it will be two weeks before the biopsy can be scheduled.”

The Call

I had been wanting to get a mammogram for awhile. I always waited for the free ones sponsored by the hospital. They wouldn’t approve me for one last year , so I waited.

I was scheduled to have one on July 11, 2016, but the mammogram machine tore up. My third grandchild, a girl, was supposed to arrive in a few weeks. With everything so uncertain, I wasn’t sure when to make the appointment. They had an opening July 18^th.

The morning of July 18^th came and I almost didn’t go. MaKensie was born a few days earlier, so everything was chaotic. I said to myself, “I’ll just wait.” I tried to call the day before my appointment to cancel it, but no one answered.

That morning I heard God say, “Go on and get up and go get your mammogram.” I thought, “Okay, I’ll get it taken care of.” I’d never had any reason to worry. All of my past mammograms had always come back clear.

While at an appointment for my daughter, I received a call from a number I didn’t recognize. I didn’t think anything of it. The person who called had left a message.

I didn’t check it until the end of the appointment. St. Mary’s Hospital called to tell me I needed to call them back. When I called them back, they told me they saw a place that was concerning and I needed another my mammogram.

That mammogram was scheduled for Thursday.

Invasion of Breast Cancer-

Day 1~  I am writing a day by day account of my story about radiation treatment after breast cancer.              19 more treatments to go. I want to help others as they may go through similar situations.

 My daughter went with me to my appointment. Got undressed from waist up and off we go to the radiation room. I was not to move while they got the photos they needed to get the process started. Took about 10 minutes. The radiation took about 3 minutes. Did not feel anything while treatment was going on.

Day 2~ My mom wanted to go with me today. I always meet people and encourage others where ever I go. Today was no exception. I met a lady who was having radiation for throat cancer. She telling me her story and how she would be so glad to have this behind her. I totally could
relate to what she was saying. I encouraged her and went on my way. Today went good.18 more to go.

Day 3~ Went to radiation today and come to find out I have been coming in a little early.  I told the girls there, "that they were suppose to be keeping me straight." We all just laughed. Everything went good today. I had an appointment with the oncologist right after radiation. I will be having a bone density test in November. Not sure what all that means as of yet. I know it has something to do with the bone. I will find out more about it as the next phase unfold. One thing the oncologist told me, "was to take one step at a time and I will not be overwhelmed." That is exactly what I'm doing. I will be taken a hormone blocker after radiation and will tell more about it as I walk this out.

Day 4~ Long drive. It takes 2 hour round trip to have my treatment, but in order to receive the help I need this is what I have to do. Treatment is not long and you don't feel a thing until later. Make sure you use cream to moisture the area that is being treated. I use ceraVae in the morning, after the treatment, and at bedtime. I use this so that my skin does not get dried out.  You can buy this at Ulta and online I know. Price usually runs around sixteen dollars. Ladies we are survivors.
Day 5~ No redness
Day 6~ This is my 5th treatment. Hooray! Everyone I meet tells me that they will be so glad when the treatment is over.  Me too, me too. Having a little swelling on the breast, but that's about it.

Day 7~  Six day into treatment. I have met all ages of people male and female. People that look fine on the outside, but on the inside we are all fighting the good fight of faith. I have been a little tired after the treatment. I clean houses and today was a big house, a massage, and then I went to Oasis Outreach at Gateway Believer's. I wish I could say," that everything was fine." I wish, but I can't. I was very fatigued and my legs were a little achy. I am doing ok. Just not like I want to, I don't like anything that would hold me back, Like someone told me, "It's an inconvenience" I am coming out the victor in this situation better than before.

Day 8~ It's Monday and the days are long. I have been doing really good with the treatments. The ladies that help me everyday I go for treatment have really been awesome. It makes all the difference in the world when people love what they do and are helping you.

Day 9~ Same as the other days. I am making it one day at a time I thank God for friends and family that have and continue to support me during all of this.

Day 10~  Half way today. Praise God! It's a great day and season. The air is getting cooler, leaves are changing and falling. Why would I not want to be happy. I see and hear people all the time telling me their story or the story of a love one who has cancer or is battling cancer. I thank God everyday that all of mine was gotten and the treatments are going as planned. Don't give up hope! Your story is your story. The rest is still unwritten. I am glad I serve a good God and He is good to me. He cares about what I 'm going through and gives me the strength to endure.

Day 11~ One by one we are getting this done.

Day 12~ Seen the doctor today. He was making sure I was having no problems with my skin around the breast. Everything looked good. Nine days to go.

Day 13~ No problems. No redness

Day 14~ Met several new women today. One with lung cancer, one throat cancer, You never know the people you meet everyday what they are going through. Each one of these ladies have a different story, Each one you look at their face and each one of their stories is unique. They look normal, but they are not. They are survivors with a story to tell.

Day 15~ Doctor day today. Everything looked good. My skin is great. I was told that I was doing remarkably good. Thank God that He is seeing me through this battle. With Him on my side all things are possible.

Day 16~ It's Friday, hope everyone has a great day.  Find things to do that makes you happy. Today is the last day of radiation on the whole breast. Woo Hoo! I made it this far with no reactions.

Day 17~ Mapping done on the breast where the cancer was. Treatment is targeted on this specific area for four days.

Day 18~ Treatment is going as planned.

Day 19~ Almost done

Day 20~ Today October 20th, 2016 is the day I finish my treatments. Yeah! I bonded with a few of the ladies and when I came in one gave me cupcakes, card, and money. I was not expecting anything. I got my certificate and went out ringing the bell for completing my radiation therapy.

I thank God for seeing me through this.


The day after I finished my treatments I began peeling just a little under my arm. It is not painful at all. My nipple has been slightly sore. I am continuing to put the CerVae cream on the breast.

Two weeks out of radiation and I am doing ok. Having some side affects. Fatigued at times, Not something that I like. I have been able to walk the golf course near my house which is awesome.  Golf courses are not an easy walk. I loved being able to just get out and walk. A little tired, but that's ok. One day at a time.

Today is November 7th, 2016. I started taking arimidex for five years. I have minimal bone thinning. Which is a good thing. I will have another bone density test in 2 years.

November 28th, 2016~ My last radiation appointment. I told the doctor that I hoped I never had to see him again. He said, " Right, social visits are good." I said, "Yes, they are."

New

Haven't posted in awhile. Lots going on. I have a new grand daughter. Isn't she pretty. My oldest grand son wanted a boot shoot. This is just one picture that I took of his boots and hat. Love my grand kids.