5 years ago today, Betsy
and I took a road trip to Raleigh to see Trans Siberian Orchestra, blissfully
unaware of how the next 24 hours were about to pan out. Today, I will start out the same way I did
that morning; I will listen to TSO on the way to church where I will teach the
angels. I will bring them donuts, fill
out my slip for the gratitude jar and make them suffer through yet another
group picture. I will then continue
about my day, getting ready for the week.
Below you will see a few things about Monday, December 5. While it
appears my life is basically the same, I can say, without a doubt, it is not
and I am a better person because of that pesky little lump. Let the cancer anniversaries begin!
Monday,
December 5, 2011:
·
got up, went to
Programming meeting in Jacksonville
·
back to work (old
branch!)
·
on to Christian Education
meeting
·
back home to
watch dogs while Mom had Presbyterian Women’s Circle at 7:00pm
·
found lump at
approximately 10:00pm.
Monday, December 5, 2016 (the plan):
·
get up, go to Programming meeting in
Jacksonville
·
back to work (new branch)
·
bag CE meeting,
dinner with friends instead
·
Billy will watch
dogs for the Circle meeting at 7:00pm
·
no lump will be found as:
o a) there is no right boob left to check
o b) the left was checked last week by Dr. Jones. Whew.
Apparently being cancer free for 5 years is a big thing.
Something I would have been able to celebrate January 6, 2017. Of course that was shot straight to hell when
Dr Lynn took Pia after that whole “you have a clear mammogram thing “(Yes, I am
still a bit bitter. I really need to frame that letter). So the new goal is May 4, 2021. Just another date in my long line of dates to
remember. Speaking of dates, I have a rather
amusing story to share—and it fits this whole journey like a glove. A few months ago, I was looking in the mirror
at the area formally known as Pia , got pretty pissed off , uttered more than
my share of creative wording and for the
first time seriously thought about getting a real one as Penny is a pain in the
backside and I hate her. I really,
really hate her. She is too heavy and makes me miserable so I don’t wear her
(which is hell on a longer necklace—it hangs and it is like where am I supposed
to go?). Luckily I had an appointment
that week with the Queen of all things Boobs—the good Dr Lynn, who explained that
due to the fact that not only had radiation killed the area around the area
formally known as Pia, she (the good Dr.) had further killed any chance of
implants by talking most of the skin when she took Pia due to that 5.9 cm tumor
that was non -existent). She then
explained to me the only procedure she felt would be beneficial—the tram. If you ask me., the tram is pure genius and
has to have been created by a woman. In the most simplest of terms… it is a
tummy tuck that uses the tummy fat to make a boob. In addition, they somehow (I did not
ask—remember, ignorance is bliss with me) they move vessels around and the new
boob is a living body part. Since I
seemed to be interested (um a no brainer here—a 2 for 1 deal), she referred me
to another Dr. K. We shall call him Dr.
K2 —who explained it all again and after thinking about it for a day (not
really, I just did not want to appear desperate) I called and made an
appointment to get it all scheduled. I
meet with Dr. K2 who wanted to make sure I was sure and to set me up with the
scheduler. As she started to talk and
schedule, all I could do was nod, say okay and sit there quietly as she gave me
my 3 appointment cards. As soon as I got
to the car, I looked at them again and started to cry. I then started laughing as only me. The first card was for the pre-op—which is scheduled for
Thursday, December 29 at 9:00am --exactly 5 years to the day and time I was
sitting in Dr Lynn’s office as she was telling me that she did not need a
biopsy to know it was cancer. The second
card was for surgery, scheduled for Friday, January 6 at 8:00am—yup—you guessed
it. 5 years to the day and time of the
lumpectomy. The third card you ask? That
would be for the post- op – Thursday, January 12 at 10:00am—5 years to the day
and time of the post-op of the lumpectomy. And there were my signs- in the form
of appointment cards.
So, 5 years from the very
day, the very hour of when the cancer was first removed, I will come full
circle. The area formally known as Pia
will be in business once again. Am I
nervous? Not as much as I probably should be. I admit the pain worries me but I have been
told I will be properly drugged so not to worry. Of course Dr Lynn took great pleasure telling
(and showing) me how I will be walking for a while. The nurse told me I will
have 4 drains and there is a possibility of having them for 4 weeks (oh hell no
was my response. She told me I would not have a choice. She must be related to
the good Dr.). My FMLA paperwork has
been filed and Dr. K2 has me off work (tentatively, all based on recovery) from
January 6- February 20. While everything
is based on recovery, I had to promise Dr. K2 I would take one month off (and
yes, I have plenty of sick leave so I am covered). Mae Ling is gearing up and Billy will be here
for at least a week. I will be in the
hospital from 3-5 days and then home sweet home and life will go on once more with
a new normal (not to mention a new boob and fingers crossed a flatter
belly).
As with the previous surgeries, I am good with it
all. And, as with the previous
surgeries, I am surrounded by awesome family, friends and staff (who I will owe
for the foreseeable future). And of
course I have God yet again on my side. Speaking of God, prayers would be
great. Of course prayers for me for the
surgery and recovery to go well (like in dear Lord please do not let it be
rejected. That would be embarrassing) and prayers for Mae Ling for taking care
of me and Jessica for dealing with the angels and yes, it is a tossup as to who
will need more prayers.
For the record, one of the first questions I Googled was
will the tummy grow back. Unless I eat a small child every day, I am
golden. Whew, thank goodness!
Joshua 1:9
