Moment With Mel: WHEW
Throughout this whole breast cancer journey I think the hardest thing to deal with is the waiting. Waiting on test results is stressful!
I had breast cancer surgery on July 9, and the doctor totally removed all of the cancer. After the tumor was removed, part of it is sent off to test it to see what the percentage is of the cancer returning. Nothing is definite, but it gives you a good idea.
My appointment to get my test results was scheduled for this morning. Then the doctor’s office called last week and again yesterday to tell me my test results weren’t in yet. So I figured I’d have to wait until next week.
This morning I’m drinking coffee and the phone rings at 8 A.M. It’s my breast cancer doc’s office telling me that my results are in. They asked if I could still make the 8:40 A.M. appointment. Obviously I said yes. I threw a hat on and went to the doctor’s. I will tell you that those 20 minutes may have been some of the most stressful minutes of my life. In my mind, I was expecting the worst. When the doctor calls and says come in asap, your mind begins to race. I thought to myself, “This can’t be good news”
WHEW is all I can say! 2021 physically has been rough for me but I finally got lucky. Although no test is the end all, my numbers look good. There’s only a 3% chance of the cancer returning and my recurrence score is 7 out of 100. Now, the cancer could still return at some point, but these numbers say it’s very unlikely. I am BEYOND relieved!
Radiation will still happen every day, five times a week, for a month starting in August. I realize this will be hard, but I’m so thankful I don’t need chemo. I can now make some plans for the future. I’m just beyond thrilled and I feel very lucky.
For those that have said prayers for me and sent me well wishes, I want you to know it’s helped me tremendously! I hope I can help others as they deal with the same stresses that I’ve been through recently. WHEW is my word for today!
