It's a beautiful day...

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