You have breasts, I have breasts, the people you love have breasts. They are miraculous parts of the body that deserve respect and discussion. I had hoped I would never have to see the changing colors of breast cancer. But yesterday, with the diagnosis, I am plunged into the world of cancer. It's a lot. It's more than I've ever wanted to know, consider, or make decisions about.
How things came about was that there were some concerning tiny areas on mammogram and ultrasound that needed biopsies. Biopsy results indicated it wasn't cancer but ADH (Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia and papilloma). My PCP and surgeon both advised to get those areas out. I would have opted to wait it out and see, but took their advice and had two lumpectomies last week. I feel great. It went really well. No pain but LOTS OF COLORS of bruising. You know I love to sketch, so I just had to record the colors, and sutures in my sketchbook. I had no concerns and never worried until I opened the pathology report and it said DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU in both breasts. Well that lead me to internet searches and a meeting with my surgeon. And more to consider and talk about.
Today is a new day, and I'll take each new day as a blessing. I'll do what I have to do to take care of body so I can continue to live, serve, and love the people I love. I'm honored to have siblings, parents, family and friends who are keeping me in their prayers.
It's weird. I don't think of this diagnosis as doom, or grief, or even sadness. Maybe I'm numb emotionally. It's probably part of the grief process. I am probably in denial. But I feel fired up. I feel energized. I feel...I feel...a challenge coming on. I take this as a personal challenge.
I'm working on it.
How things came about was that there were some concerning tiny areas on mammogram and ultrasound that needed biopsies. Biopsy results indicated it wasn't cancer but ADH (Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia and papilloma). My PCP and surgeon both advised to get those areas out. I would have opted to wait it out and see, but took their advice and had two lumpectomies last week. I feel great. It went really well. No pain but LOTS OF COLORS of bruising. You know I love to sketch, so I just had to record the colors, and sutures in my sketchbook. I had no concerns and never worried until I opened the pathology report and it said DUCTAL CARCINOMA IN SITU in both breasts. Well that lead me to internet searches and a meeting with my surgeon. And more to consider and talk about.
Today is a new day, and I'll take each new day as a blessing. I'll do what I have to do to take care of body so I can continue to live, serve, and love the people I love. I'm honored to have siblings, parents, family and friends who are keeping me in their prayers.
It's weird. I don't think of this diagnosis as doom, or grief, or even sadness. Maybe I'm numb emotionally. It's probably part of the grief process. I am probably in denial. But I feel fired up. I feel energized. I feel...I feel...a challenge coming on. I take this as a personal challenge.
I'm working on it.
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