A Christmas Blessing

Well today brought good news from my surgeon. I received word that my pathology results came back from my bilateral mastectomy. They showed no cancer in my right breast and only a residual amount in my left breast. It was all as it should be and all of that chemo really did do its job. My muscle has some atrophy (weakening) but that was to be expected since the tumor was originally growing on it. The surgeon said they got ALL of the cancerous tumor removed! I can't tell you how good it feels to have NO cancerous tumor growing in my body!!!

I went to the plastic surgeon yesterday and got one more of the drains removed. My right one is still in as it is still collecting too much fluid to be able to remove it. I have another appointment Friday to hopefully have it removed. I am really hoping I can be rid of it before Christmas. I am off all pain meds as of last Saturday and according to Dr. Burgess that is almost unheard of so soon after surgery so I am thankful to have been feeling pretty decent. Don't get me wrong, it still feels "uncomfortable" but not painful.

Part of me feels bad today for getting such great news. A lady who I met at the cancer center who was going through another fight with her cancer that had spread to her bones and her brain lost her battle this afternoon. I have only talked to her a few times, but I find myself continuing to think about the loss their family has just endured. She has a daughter Courtney's age and another high school aged daughter. I just can't imagine how their family must be feeling today. I'm sure they are thankful for her not suffering any longer, but what a loss for their family. Please pray for peace and comfort for them and this is another good reason to continue to pray for a cure. I feel so thankful and fortunate to be in such good condition, but can't help thinking that could have been me if I hadn't found my tumor soon enough.

As one friend put it, I received an early Christmas blessing today. May you all feel the blessings and hope that this season offers.