November 13, 2014
What a beautiful day it is for me today. I just received some great news and thought I
share it with my friends.
This past May I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my left
breast. I was lucky as I had a 3D
mammogram and they found a tiny bit of cancer.
They called it Stage 0. I had
surgery and although it was tiny, the margins were not clear and I ended up having to have
a second surgery. Nonetheless, after the
second surgery it came back clean! I remember healing during this unbelievable summer here in the Northwest. My garden looked awesome but all I could do was piddle here and there. But I enjoyed it as I rested on a cute little cot on the deck. I brought out all my shabby chic pillows and quilts outside and made it a special place to rest. Hallelujah!
I did
have to have radiation every day for 6 weeks thereafter.
It went well until the last week as it burned my skin beyond
belief. It has since healed incredibly but the best part of that was that I met the most amazing nurses
and doctors during that time. You have this little group of people that
only you can relate to.
It helped me deal with the time I'd have to put in and it helped heal me too. Finishing the radiation and that along with taking a pill for 5 years, gives me a great prognosis of 98%. Hallelujah!!
I just finished radiation 3 weeks ago and with my body’s
immune system being somewhat low, I got a horrific respiratory infection and
cough that lasted 3 weeks. I felt like I was coughing my brains out! Somewhere in between the beginning of getting
sick, I sneaked in and had a colonoscopy as I was due every 5 years due to my
mother having had Colon Cancer. And it
was due in October. I did not want to go
but knew I had no choice. I was hoping
they wouldn’t cancel me after drinking all that horrible stuff because of my
cough. But I sucked on some cough
suppressants and I got through the door.
And to my relief, that also came back clear! Hallelujah!!
Back in May when I first went it to my Mammogram, there was
some concern about my right breast and they wanted me to come back in 6
months. Dang! My surgeon suggested I go have another
mammogram now so I scheduled it for today.
Needless to say, it’s been a nerve-wracking week as I anticipated this
mammogram. I just did not want to go
through this ordeal yet again! At the
same, time I knew I was one of the lucky ones unlike some others who get really
bad news about their cancer.
So as I sat in the waiting room, I realized God had a road
for me to travel. I’m starting to
understand why. And that’s something
between him and me. I never wanted to have cancer! I have had several members of my family die of
cancer and that has been the most devastating events in my life. With every scare I’ve had throughout my life,
my parents, my brother, I think it’s
prepared me for this journey. Believe me I would have rather not had cancer
but I have it, so I need to deal with it!!
Lastly, I chose to not tell many friends. As understanding as people are, I don’t like
being in the spotlight. I don’t like all
the attention. My family of course knows
and they have been wonderful through all of this.
My husband BJ was a seminar in Bellevue and when I called him, his first words were, ‘We’ll get through this,
sweetheart. God is with us and we’ll
make it! How he got home in such a short time, I'll never know. I couldn't tell anyone without breaking down so he called our children and family and told them.
I still remember hearing Marisa, my daughter’s devastating cries as she heard the
news. She came right away. As BJ told my son, Dylan, his words to his dad was, "I’ll call you back" or something to that effect. He was working at Seattle and 45 minutes there
he was at the door sobbing! His fiancee was with him as were his two good friends he's known since high school. I think
hearing the bad news is the hardest thing one can go through! And seeing your children cry is so sad!! But I
had good news! Yes, I had cancer but it
was going to be okay. I was one of the lucky ones! As a mother you
realize how much you want to protect them from any hurt no matter how old they
are. As it turned out, that night was fun having my
kids here! We laughed a lot and had a great
night. It was a blessing! Hallelujah!
This summer, my son was married and he and his wife had the
most amazing wedding! My son chose the
most wonderful song I’ve ever heard for us to dance to. The tears started streaming down my face as soon as the music began. Being able to dance with him and my being able to be there for him along with the rest of my family was the
highlight of my summer. I love you so
much my sweet son and daughter, and the rest of my family, new and old!
To this day, I really don’t want my grandchildren to
know what happened to me. Not just yet. They’re at an age
where they understand what that is and I don’t want to make them sad. They’ll hear it later when it won’t
matter. They are the light of my life and we are so close! So my wish for all of this is,
that I’m asking you, my friends, not to mention it to them.
With the love of all my family and a few friends, I’ve made it
through. Yes, I got the green light
today after my mammogram. It all looks good! That doesn’t mean, I won’t be looking over my
shoulder every time I check myself, every time, I feel something odd but I know
if it happens again, I can travel that road again. Thank you Lord! Hallelujah! It's a beautiful day!
Miki Wade
