I feel the need to share my story with you today, I don't know why, but I have learned that when I am prompted out of the blue, I do it!
It was late January of 2003. I had gone for a total physical to my medical doctor. At the age of 40 she began me on mammograms and this was to be my 2nd one that year (I was 41 at the time of this appointment) . I had the mammogram appointment the following week (early February 2003).
While at work about the 2nd week of February, I received a call from the doctor and she told me that the x ray had found a lump and that I was to see a specific doctor etc. Let me tell you that when I hung up the phone I was a wreck. I was in tears, I was in shock, you name it I had it! I think total devastation would be a great description of how I felt. I have never been so scared in my entire life!
At the appointment, Dr. Jurneau in Hood River, Oregon, spoke to me about breast cancer, the lump, the surgery I was now going to have to have- SURGERY? DID SHE REALLY SAY SURGERY? Normally they use a long needle and put it in the lump and drain out the fluid to test it for cancer. Well, as with all my life, this was not to be the case because the lump was at the top tip of my lung just under the bottom edge of my breast collar and if they stuck a needle there it could puncture my lung and I would die. OH GREAT! SURGERY... die...needle.. surgery.... all those kept ringing in my ears.
We scheduled the surgery for the local hospital in White Salmon (skyline) and within another 2-3 weeks there I was sitting in the room waiting to be taken to the mammogram office where they had to put me under the machine and "locate" the lump by xray, all the while poking needle markers into my skin so the doctor would know where to cut.......... CUT? Cut me open? This was the most devastating horrific scarey moment of my life....
Have you ever sat at the mammogram machine for 38+ minutes while someone is x raying you and punching pins in you? That was a real trip! (thank goodness for numbing shots! lol) After they located the lump to their satisfaction, I was wheeled to the operating room, given drugs and underwent surgery. What I remember next is hearing voices,,,,, this voice was SO familiar but I couldn't place it..... until she said "MORGAN"....
Morgan is my middle son and I then instantly recognized this wonderful voice as Debby, the gal who baby sat him when he was about 4 while I worked. At that time I remember trying to open my eyes and then hearing the sweetest voice in my life saying- "SHE IS ALIVE".. It was Katie! I opened my eyes and started to puke! lol- I had never in my life had an operation before and the anesthesia didn't like me very well. Oh, it did its job, but I was sick for a FULL week puking and dizzy afterwards!
At this point I was taken to a room where my sweet daughter then 11 held my hand, wiped my brow with a wet washcloth and layed her head on my arm. She is the most wonderful daughter I could ever pray for! In my room some friends had stopped by while I was in surgery and left gifts of home made chicken and dumplings for later, candy, flowers and cards. How truly blessed I am.
I was in the hospital another 3+ hours, when my best friend Terry came to take me home- bless her heart she had to stop 2 times on the 35 mile drive up the hill back home so I could puke. ARGH! I was so very sick from those chemicals. This was to be a surgery on friday and back to work on monday------ ahahahahhaahhaha
It was at that time that Kay (now my husband) and I had dated only one time and he was calling to see how I was doing, found out how sick I was and brought his son Kasey (from idaho a 6 hour trip one way) and they came and spent 3 days with me all the while tending my woodstove, cooking, washing and helping me with anything I needed. I nearly lost my job because I wasn't back to work on Monday but the doctor faxed them the doctor excuse (whatever it is called) and the following Friday I went back to work as white as a ghost and sick to my stomach from the down the mountain windy road drive. I have to say I wasn't impressed with the cold greeting when I walked in the door- they were irked that I had left them in the lurch- gimme a break I couldn't help it! I wasn't staying home playing around! I was barely able to sit up let alone stand without getting dizzy and dropping like a rock! And guess what? They were surprised to see how bad I really looked- ---DUH!
It was another week before I received a call from the doctor......... the lump was benign! OH!!! MY FAVORITE new word in the entire world! I am truly blessed.
Now, the reason I am sharing my story of this surgery and is because with my first mammogram there was a tiny lump, but a year later at the 2nd mammogram it had more than doubled in size to the size of my thumb, an instant red flag to the medical profession of teh possibility of cancer. So, you see friends, mammograms are essential in prevention and detection of breast cancer. I am truly blessed that mine was benign and not malignant. But, who knows had I let this go undetected what the outcome could have been. I would rather know I am going to be ok or be treatable, than find out I am about to die because I didn't do the mammograms.
You have to know that this lump was NOT detectable by touch tests- ONLY by a mammogram!!!!!
I have a 3" long scar on my breast that is now not as ugly as it was to begin with, but it's a constant reminder to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for my many blessings each day as I look in the mirror. And a constant reminder that I needed this done, regardless of the outcome. So what if the mammogram pinches a little- "cowgirl up I say and get in there"- it could be your life you are putting in jeopardy!
May Heavenly Father bless each of you this day and thank you for indulging me and my story.
Don't delay, get your mammogram today. (well today is Sunday, so get in this week and git er done!)
I love you all and am grateful for your friendship!
Gwen
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