Good news from the surgeon

The days following my lumpectomy were more "normal" than I expected. I was able to deal with any discomfort by taking extra-strength Tylenol, and even then, it was only needed for a few days. I was amazed at how my body was able to go through surgery and recover so quickly. The only discomfort I really had was underneath my right armpit, due to the removal of the lymph node just below.

I had taken two weeks off from work, so was able to relax and recuperate a bit. I had originally scheduled those two weeks to be in Mexico on a mission trip with my family, but oh well . . . there's the famous John Lennon saying: 'Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.'

On August 13th, I visited the surgeon who did my lumpectomy for a follow-up consultation. My husband was with me for the visit.

The surgeon took a look at my incisions and commented that everything looked normal. I asked him about a tendon that was protruding in the armpit area and how long it would take for it to go away (when I accidentally over-stretched my arm, the tendon was sore and burning). He said that it sometimes takes a few months for the body to heal completely. So I stopped worrying about it. I just wanted to know if it was normal.

The really GOOD NEWS during my visit to the surgeon was this: he said the pathology report from my tumor showed that all of the margins around the tumor were clear of cancer cells (hallelujah!) and that the sentinel lymph node he removed also showed no cancer cells, even after the extensive testing was done following surgery (a special stain type of test was used). Thanks be to God!

He remarked that the test results were "about as good as they could get." The surgeon said that he would now refer me on to the oncologist, who would give a recommendation for treatment to prevent a recurrence. However, he offered to see me again in case I had any questions or wanted to feel that I wasn't being "turned loose" without follow-up.

As he left the room, I thanked him from my heart. This man had literally saved my life (what an occupation!). During a time of my life when anxiety had gripped my heart, he was direct, reassuring, and most of all, competent.

I had prayed that God would use all those I met in the healthcare profession as a means of my cure. I prayed for their wisdom and discernment and expertise as they treated me. In the case of my surgeon, I believe all my prayers were answered.

Leaving the surgeon's office that day, I was filled with gratitude to God for His mercy and compassion.