Humbled by prayers and support

This seems like a good spot to mention one aspect of cancer that has been a huge blessing to me: the overwhelming encouragement and support I've received from those around me. From the moment I started to tell people about my diagnosis, I received emails, phone calls, cards, and gifts. People who had been on the periphery of my life contacted me to ask if there was anything they could do to help. I had offers from cleaning my house to bringing meals to my family and going with me to doctor's appointments. So far, I haven't had to take anyone up on those offers, but I'm keeping them in mind in case I need them during my treatment phase. Telling my co-workers about having cancer seemed to knock down all of the social barriers and bring about an emotional intimacy that couldn't have happened any other way. I've had women tell me that they, too, had cancer years ago and they are doing fine now. I would have never known this about them if I hadn't told them about my situation first.

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Good news from the surgeon

The days following my lumpectomy were more "normal" than I expected. I was able to deal with any discomfort by taking extra-strength Tylenol, and even then, it was only needed for a few days. I was amazed at how my body was able to go through surgery and recover so quickly. The only discomfort I really had was underneath my right armpit, due to the removal of the lymph node just below. I had taken two weeks off from work, so was able to relax and recuperate a bit. I had originally scheduled those two weeks to be in Mexico on a mission trip with my family, but oh well . . . there's the famous John Lennon saying: 'Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.' On August 13th, I visited the surgeon who did my lumpectomy for a follow-up consultation. My husband was with me for the visit.

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The surgery

My lumpectomy was scheduled for Tuesday, August 5th. I'd been counting down the days as if I were preparing for my execution. I spent a lot of time reading the Psalms, which gave me much consolation. King David's supplications for deliverance from his afflictions and praise for God's mercies and compassions were the same prayers coming from my own heart. Our daughter had gone on the Mexico mission trip without us and she returned a week before my surgery. I was so happy to have her home and to hear about what a wonderful experience it had been for her. In the meantime, I had planned a three-day excursion for the weekend prior to my surgery, to Port Townsend, a picturesque town on the Washington peninsula. I didn't want to be tempted to sit around the house fretting about the surgery.

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Getting the MRI results

I had planned a get-away to Port Townsend for the weekend prior to my surgery. I just wanted to get away from home and the temptation to sit around the house worrying (in retrospect, it worked and was a great idea). My husband, daughter, and I had planned to leave for Port Townsend on Friday, August 1st. However, I hadn't received any news whatsoever about the results of my MRI and I was getting pretty anxious about it. I really didn't want to go off for the weekend without knowing anything--good news or bad news.

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The breast MRI

My surgeon referred me for a breast MRI a week before surgery in order to detect any miniscule lesions (in either breast) that didn't show up on the mammogram or ultrasound and to ascertain the extent of the lesion already found. I really wasn't worried about the procedure, as I'd had a CAT scan before, so figured it would be similar. I read about the MRI on the Internet and learned that I would have to have an IV inserted because a contrast agent is used during the procedure. This was the only part that gave me pause, as I'd had to endure SIX POKES at the medical lab just to get a routine blood panel. Did I mention that they had to poke me SIX TIMES to get blood out of my veins? Sheesh!

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Lord, have mercy

One of the most frequent prayers of the Orthodox Christian is, "Lord, have mercy." The first time I visited an Orthodox church (while still a Protestant Christian), I heard it said over and over again during the liturgy and thought, "Talk about overkill. How many times do you have to ask God to take pity on you and forgive you?" But I didn't understand the prayer from the Eastern Orthodox perspective. Now that I'm Orthodox, I pray this prayer more than any other. For myself, for my loved ones, and for the world. It's a prayer that covers everything. Let me explain. The book "Orthodox Worship" describes the meaning of the word mercy as follows:

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The surgeon's call

On Thursday, July 17th, the doctor who would be performing my surgery called. I remember the day well because, up to that point, I was adrift in a sea of anxiety. With no definite plan of action, I felt overwhelmed with fear of the unknown.

I was relieved to hear a sympathetic, caring, and confident person on the other end of the phone line. He assured me that he had looked at my biopsy reports and that this cancer could be cured. He told me that 10 years from now, I could be another cancer survivor helping out in fundraisers for other people. I remember telling him, "That's the goal."

My appointment for surgical consultation was made for the following Tuesday. Already, I was beginning to feel some relief, just to know that I was on the road to getting the tumor out.