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My name is Nancy. I am a 2 1/2 year breast
cancer survivor. Luckily, my cancer was caught by mammogram in
the very early stages. It was a stage 1 cancer. I had a
lumpectomy and all the lymph nodes removed under the arm on
that side. The nodes were all clear. I was able to get by
without chemo, but I had 35 radiation treatments. God truly
blessed me.
Like many women, I think I always took my
yearly mammograms much too lightly. When I was told that I
needed to have an ultrasound because of something suspicious,
I still was not really upset. I had 2 benign cysts removed
several years before. However, this time I was not so lucky.
The ultrasound was followed by a core biopsy. It was
definitely cancer. I could not believe it. Nobody in my family
had ever had breast cancer. I had no major risk factors other
than I was never able to conceive. So, I felt that God had
cursed me twice---no children and now cancer. I was scared and
angry.
I think human nature makes us think that we
have been dealt a death sentence when we're told we have the
"C" word. I know that is how I felt. The night
before my surgery, I went out on our deck and prayed and
prayed that I would have the strength to handle whatever was
ahead. I had taken care of my mom who suffered from
Parkinson's disease for 8 years and lost her 2 years before.
My only brother had died of a massive heart attack at the age
of 51 the year before my cancer. My dad had just been place in
a nursing home, because I could no longer care for him after
his stroke. I felt that I had no strength left in me. I knew
prayer was my only hope.
When, I came in from the deck that night. I
slipped into bed thinking my husband was asleep. I was still
crying. He rolled over, hugged me, and told me we would fight
this together. Then, he held me tightly and started praying
aloud. I felt such peace come over me all of a sudden. I knew
that I was going to be alright. I think I let go and let God
at that moment.
My surgery went well as did my radiation
treatments. Seems my breast has been sore all the time since
my surgery and treatments which sometimes scares me until I
have my mammogram every six months and it's ok. I try to look
at that constant soreness as a reminder of the blessing I
received in early diagnosis and successful surgery and
treatments.
My prayers are with all the women out there who
have been through breast cancer or who may have to go through
it in the future. Also, I am a big advocate of mammograms and
early detection now. Mostly, I am an advocate that prayer does
truly work. I thank God daily.
Good luck to you and all your readers in the
fight against this terrible disease.
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