We have had a lot of highs and lows since I found out I have breast cancer. The past few weeks have been filled with a lot of medical appointments since we got back from Colorado. We went in on February 21st, and learned after an MRI that my cancer was much bigger than they originally thought. So many things race through your mind when you get that kind of news. I texted our Priest to see if he had any prayers that I could do to overcome the fears that I had. He told me to meet him at the Church before Ash Wednesday mass, and he would have our new Sisters from Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary that had just moved in that week give me a blessing. Three Sisters will be staying at our Church, but there were five more that came to settle them in. The 8 Sisters and Priests took me to the Mary Chapel, and I sat in the middle of the room while they surrounded me along with my family. I can't describe what happened, but they all began to sing and pray over me as they touched different parts of me. They were all doing their own thing, but it all came together so beautifully. The kids were a little wide eyed by it all, but Andy and I were a mess of tears. After they finished, Father Brian anointed me, and we went in for mass.
After mass was over, the Sisters invited us back to their convent for one more blessing. They again prayed over me, but this time they had a relic from St. John Paul II. They then gave me a medal to wear that was blessed by him. I left their house feeling at peace, and ready to begin this journey that I am taking.
The next day, I went in for a CT scan, and surgery to get my port put in. As they were preparing me for surgery, my CT scan came in, and they found no cancer in my organs. We broke out in tears, and hugs. One answered prayer! Surgery was quick, and I woke up to being sick as I always am after surgery. Maybe one day they will get it right. I spent the rest of the day at home in bed.
Friday was my birthday! While it has not been a fun week, I felt the love of so many that day. Jonathan and Tabitha stopped in to me see me, along with my co-worker Dawn. That night, Jared and Emmie came over for dinner. Andy made chicken and dumplings for me, and an ice cream cake to finish it out. As we were sitting around talking, Asa and Kelsey walked in the door. Such a fun surprise to see them. The night went late, but I enjoyed it all.
We celebrated Atticus's birthday with friends at Urban Air, and Andy's parents came for a short visit over the weekend. Baylor also had his big end of the year basketball tournament. They won the championship game on Sunday. We sadly missed it because we were at Atticus's party, but he had a crew of people cheering him on. So proud of him.
Monday was another big appointment for me as I went to KU Med for a bone scan. They injected the radiation, and then we were to come back in three hours. We went to the Plaza to eat lunch and walk around since it was such a beautiful day. I went back for the scan, and by the time we were heading out of the parking lot, my results were in. I made Andy read it, and the cancer was not found in my bones! Again, I was crying as this was another answered prayer. I can't tell you the relief that I felt, and the hope that was gained by that result.
On Thursday, I went back to my bob haircut. They say it is better to keep it short before you start to lose it with chemo. I then went wig shopping with Lissy. She had a lot of fun, and really tried to get me to get something different, but in the end I went with something that looked the most like my hair.
That night, Kaitlin and Zane came to town. We had dinner over at the Brawners. It was the perfect pre- chemo dinner. Yummy briar patch chicken, with roasted veggies, and a red velvet bundt cake from my Mom for my birthday. It was wonderful to have Kaitlin there to answer all my questions before chemo the next day.
Friday morning, I got up and went to early mass with Kaitlin and Finley. I have been going to mass each morning before any big scans or procedures, and thus far, it has brought me nothing but good news. After Church, we left for the hospital, and Kaitlin and Zane dropped our kids off at school. It took awhile for them to start the IV, but it moved along once it did start. I thankfully did not have any side effects during treatment. I slept through a good part of it, and Andy was able to work. My nurse was very sweet, and reminded me so much of Finley. She was number 3 of a family of four that was spaced exactly like our kids. After chemo was over, we headed home.
Amity, Billy, and Dad came to town late Friday night. Amity took me to get my neulasta shot Saturday morning. Afterwords, we headed home and she and Billy began cooking up a storm for me. They cooked all day, and Dad and I watched a little Ozark and took a nap. That night, we went to Finley's soccer game and home for pizza.
Sunday was Church, and then I slept after my family left. It all started to hit, and I was very sore and tired. I slept off and on for Sunday-Tuesday. I did try to get short little walks in each day, and forced myself to eat and drink. By Wednesday afternoon, things were getting better for me, and I made it to Finley's musical debut!
I Need a Vacation was so cute. She rocked her role as the surfer girl, and hotdog. She has been so excited about finally getting a school musical since theirs was cancelled their first grade year due to Covid. She had so much fun practicing for it, and said she was sad that it was over. We celebrated the night with some Andy's Custard, which made everyone happy.
Today, I got the good news that cancer has not spread to my left breast. Again, answered prayers. I have had so many God moments along this journey. From having a friend work his magic to get me in for my first biopsy, a dr. who gave us her cell number, and is always there to answer any and all our questions, to all the prayer warriors who have my back, a great support system of friends and family that have gone above and beyond to help us out, the time that Andy and I have gotten together, we have grown so close through this process, to each and every answered prayer that we have received. I feel so blessed.
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