TWO DOCTORS IN ONE DAY

George and I went in for our chat with Dr. "P". He was very positive about what he felt the outcome would be since it was found so early and is so small (BB size). He and his nurse were so kind. They knew I was scared and needed things moved along quickly so they made an appointment for this afternoon to see the surgeon, Dr. "M". I was given a prescription for nerves and to help me sleep. I took the Zanex right away, but still shook like crazy during the entire visit with the Surgeon. He was very, very nice but still it was nuts hearing him give me my choices: (a.) Lumpectomy or (b.) Skin saving mastectomy or (c.) Total Mastectomy. I wanted (d.) out of there! I guess he had to give me all the options, but my head was swimming. I asked him what he recommended, but he said he couldn't tell me what to do. He kinda indicated that he agreed with Dr. "P" and knew I could be back at tennis quicker than with either mastectomy. George and I agreed and my surgery was scheduled for March 8th. "Calgon take me away!"

The Call

I was running errands and was in a plumbing supply store when I got "the call". Dr. "P" himself called to let me know the results of my biopsy. His suggestion is to have a lumpectomy (wide local excision) followed by 6-7 weeks of radiation regardless of what is found during surgery. (Dr. "P"s wife died of breast cancer years ago so he is very pro-active about cancer.) He wants George and I to come in to his office in the morning to talk more. I'm in shock!

A Needle Biopsy - Oh My!

A needle biopsy...no fun...never want to do that again...please! Two nurses in the room did an ultrasound just to find the lesion before the Radiologist came in...hard to find since my lesion is tiny...the size of a BB. Then in he comes and the "fun" begins. A nurse on one side showing him the way with the ultrasound and he was on the other side...talking away, asking questions, etc. I just wanted him to get it over with. He said they would do a needle aspiration first and then the biopsy. It seemed to take forever. Lots of pressure. I kept my eyes closed until I heard him say "okay". I opened my eyes and said "it's over?". He said "nope, gotta do it again". I said "you're kidding!!!!???". He said "nope, again". I thought "_____, _____!!!"...you can fill in the blanks. More pressure. I didn't like this whole thing AT ALL! Now the hard part...waiting for the results. I can't lie...I'm afraid. I'm reading my healing scriptures and it is helping though.

AN ANGEL IN A LAB COAT

I went to the hospital today just for lab work before my biopsy. The lab tech (her name was Kathy too) was excellent...I could hardly feel a prick...quick too.

Somehow, she revealed that she was a Christian and we began to talk. I truly felt that God had placed her in my path...just what I needed and when I needed it. She asked if I would like a copy of a list of healing scriptures and I immediately said YES. We talked some more and I hugged her when I left... with tears in my eyes.

I remember walking out of the hospital into a beautiful sunny day and I looked heavenward. God had placed an angel in a lab coat in front of me just when I needed one!

I'm going now to get my Bible and find the peace only He can give.

Hugs!

Kat

Home, but not normal yet!

We've been home for a little over two weeks and this is the first time I've even felt like blogging! Amazing!

The trip was wonderful and I'll try to write about it and post photos soon, but the first week was hard dealing with the jet lag and I was overwhelmed to say the least trying to catch up with laundry, mail piled up (both e-mail and snail mail), and much, much more. This last week has been even harder since I've been dealing with a health issue (more on that later too).

Anyway, it's good to be home!