Shannon Woodard

For the last 2 1/2 months,I have been dealing with a lump in my left breast. After getting a mammogram, ultrasound, and a biopsy, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a type of breast cancer. I will now need either a lumpectomy, mastectomy, or double mastectomy depending on the results of the many blood tests I've had.  My prognostic markers came back as triple negative which means I will have to go through aggressive chemo. I am scheduled for 5 months of chemo treatment right now in hopes that it will reduce the size of the tumor before the doctor's perform whichever surgery will be necessary. One of my lymph nodes also tested positive so I will have to have lymphedema therapy after surgery. In the next couple of months, I am looking at hair loss, fatigue, and nausea. :(

As heart breaking as this is, I am at peace with the physical healing of my body. My struggle right now is the thought of my boys dealing with this. I have no doubt that I have more help than I could imagine that is going to step in and help with them. My heart hurts just to imagine the thoughts that will go through their heads. My wish is to keep life for them as normal as possible through this process and limit their anxiety about the journey we are starting! Prayers are needed and I know you all will lift us up!!! Giving my worries to God!