Good News

Today my dad spent the day with me.  He took me to my neighbor's to get my hair washed and then we made a list of things we needed for the house.  Diapers, milk, dog food, cereal, etc. I decided I should probably try to look somewhat presentable for my first outing in a week.  I put makeup on (gasp!) and then I stared at my closet.  I stared for a long time.  At first I thought, "I can throw that on."  Then I had to correct myself and say, "Uhh...no I can't because I can't put my arms over my head."  Seeing as though it was quite cold and very windy outside, I settled on jeans, a tank top that I could pull up over my waist, and a wrap sweater.  Also, because it was so cold, my dad insisted I wear a jacket.  The one I would normally wear was too small to encase myself AND my drains, so I wore a larger tweed coat of mine that was actually a good weight considering the wind.  I topped it off with a scarf to block any chance of anyone seeing my blindingly white surgical bra with thick straps.  Ta da! 

 

A little lumpy, but I think the naked eye would not notice anything off!  Yay for cold weather!  So we went to Meijer and picked up our few items.  I was feeling a bit tired already, but I was determined to go to Hobby Lobby so we could get a puzzle to work on together.  We picked out a country scene that encompassed everything I love: Nature, a farm, a nice home, a sweet looking old truck, AND a jack-o-lantern representing my favorite holiday of Halloween! 

 

My dad was sure it would take us a while because he said he's not the greatest at jigsaw puzzles.  I told him I was positive we'd finish in a few hours because it was only a 300 piece puzzle.  We took a few breaks for lunch and a short nap, but while watching many episodes of the Dick Van Dyke Show, we completed it! 

 

 





I was on the couch again after our great accomplishment, in the middle of a doze when I felt my phone ring.  I looked at the number and it was an unfamiliar one, but a local one, so I thought it could be my doctor.  Sure enough it was Dr. G checking to see how I was doing and to report that she had excellent news!  She told me that the pathology report came back and after looking at hundreds of slides, there was no sign of invasive cancer, so my decision to go with the bilateral mastectomy, while considering my family planning plans, was absolutely the right decision.  She said that the cancer encompassed an area of 7.2 cm (or 2.8 in) so it was bigger than we thought.  So I don't have to go through any more treatment, and basically, once I'm done with this process I'm done!  I have to meet with her next week Tuesday to get the actual pathology report and to figure out what my follow up steps and long-term plan will be, but otherwise the future is looking pretty good!!

As soon as I hung up I told my dad and we called my mom and she later told me she told her best friend at work the news and they both cried tears of joy.  Then Eric walked in with Julia and we told them the news.  He set Julia on my stomach.  I told her, "Mommy doesn't have to do chemo!!!"  It was like that little girl knew how great the news was and she laughed and started clapping.  We both said, "Yaaaaaay!!!" and continued to clap.  That was one of the best moments she and I have shared yet.

God has answered my prayers and all of those who have been praying beside me.  Today was a great day.