Surgery is Scheduled

I am really starting to feel good since my last treatment!  I had a couple of really down days where I had a lot of aches and tingling in my arms and legs.  Last Sunday (16th) I did not even get out of the bed other than to use the bathroom.  I still watched the live streaming services for church (which were wonderful!) but all I wanted was to lay down and rest (or sleep).  Monday was a little better.  I at least made it to the couch!   On Tuesday (18th) I had my consultation with the surgeon.  Although I still wasn't feeling the greatest on this day, the appointment went as ideal as I could have asked for it to go!!  I will explain a little later!  That night was a rough one with the aches and pain.  It was the first time throughout this entire process that I have taken Ibuprofen to get some relief.  I think it was from the amount of walking and standing I had done the day of my appointment.  Under normal circumstances it really would not have been a lot, but one week after a chemo treatment it was a great amount and I felt it during the night!  Wednesday I began to feel a little better and it has improved with each passing day!  Today (Friday) I still have mild aches and tingling but I am at least able to move around and get some things done.

Consultation with the Surgeon
My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.  I know that is a long time away but they wait several weeks after your final chemo treatment in order to give your body a chance to recover and blood counts to get back to normal.

My surgeon recommended a mastectomy even though I have responded well to the chemo.  Mostly because of the type of cancer that I was diagnosed with.  We discussed reconstruction and plastic surgery and I have opted not to go that route.  It would add another 6-9 months to this whole process and I am just not interested.  I want things to be done and I am okay with having the breast removed.  This led to discussion about the other breast.  She asked what I wanted to do about that and I said to have it removed also.  So this means a double mastectomy without reconstruction or plastic surgery.  Yes that means I will be as flat as a board.  I have had a lot of time to think about what I would want and to prepare myself as much as possible.  I can change my mind anytime before surgery but I really don't see that happening.  Even years from now I can go back and have plastic surgery done, but again, I don't see it happening.   It will be an adjustment for sure but there are a lot of products out there that I can wear to feel 'normal' if I choose to.  I think my peace of mind will be greater as far as lowering my chances for the cancer to return or develop in the other breast had I chosen to keep it.  This may not be what a lot of people would have chosen for their body but in the end it is my choice for my body and it was not made hastily.  I have prayed throughout everything for guidance and direction.  Discussion and decisions that happened at this appointment felt so comfortable and right that I cannot help but feel it was how I was being led to discern things.  I will continue to pray about it and I know that if it is not the right decision that God will reveal it to me.  So far I am very much at peace and sleeping wonderfully!!

The surgeon also still wants me to have radiation.  She said that would be about a month after surgery.


We continue to be amazed at how much love and support we have been given through everything!  We are so thankful for the prayers and still welcome them during this next part of the journey!

Praising God for His steadfast Hand guiding us and holding us every single second of this entire process!

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side!

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful!


The God of angel armies is always by my side.
(Whom shall I fear)

God is SO Good!  All the Time!