On September 13, 2019 I went for "that" annual appointment and during the exam my nurse practitioner felt a lump in my left breast. She didn't seem concerned but ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound which I scheduled for Monday, Sept. 23. That day I left the health campus with the words "You have a very suspicious mass that could be cancerous. We need a biopsy." The biopsy happened Sept. 27 and on October 1, 2019, the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. It is clinically at stage 1. I will have a lumpectomy on November 6 followed by 4-6 weeks of radiation a month later - my doctors and treatment are at the Ann Barshinger Cancer Center and we couldn't be more thankful for the team that is treating me. IDC is the most common form of breast cancer. The success rate of treatment at this stage is 99%.
When I told Calvin about the mass, he looked at me and said, "I don't know anyone stronger or more stubborn than you. You've got this, we've got this, and most importantly, God's got this." Yes, God's got this. Isaiah 41:10.
Back to 1 in 8 - in the US, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Early detection is the key. Ladies, PLEASE do your monthly self-exams (I was not and should have caught this). ALWAYS have your annual mammogram if you're over 40. Men - you should check also and please encourage, nag if you have to, the women in your life to do self-exams and have their mammograms.
Thank you for your prayers. We feel them. And we know that GOD'S GOT THIS.
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