Choosing a Path

I met with my surgeon yesterday. I have said I hoped to be armed with more information after seeing him. I am armed with more information, but I also now have more questions! Some important pieces of information I learned yesterday were my stage of cancer has not been diagnosed yet (I have been telling people I am stage 1). That diagnosis will come with surgery and will be determined by a few factors including whether there is any cancer in my lymph nodes. The second piece of information was that early indicators are the type of cancer I have will be very receptive to treatment. Finally, I have two options for treatment essentially. My explanation will be much simpler than the surgeon's - 1. Mastectomy, reconstruction and potentially other therapy depending on the stage of cancer and 2. Lumpectomy and radiation therapy or chemotherapy depending on the stage of cancer. There were many other things I was told, but they have escaped me for now. I may take a friends example and advice and start taking a recording device with me! According to my friend, it tends to make doctors a little nervous at first, but it is a wonderful help to have a record of ALL the information discussed.

Today I got a call back from the surgeon's office and my surgery has been scheduled for next Thursday. I have also been scheduled to meet with a radiology oncologist tomorrow to discuss that treatment option. The nurse I spoke with this afternoon asked if I had thought of any questions. Well, they are all still swimming around my head. I mean, a month ago I was moving through life as usual... One question I did think of last night though I asked her about. What are the overall cost differences between getting a mastectomy verses radiation therapy? Her answer was not what I had expected to hear. A mastectomy is much less than radiation therapy. I don't know why, but mastecomy wasn't even on my radar until yesterday. I also don't really know why, but I assumed a mastectomy would cost more.

Another factor in this is that my husband lost his job (at least temporarily) with the flooding in June. Their office building had 7 feet of water in it. The owner plans to rebuild, but the Christmas season, critical for their sales, is quickly approaching... Back in June we switched my insurance coverage to a major medical policy, something we could afford with a loss of income. Thankfully, my husband's employer initially continued to pay his insurance and then we took over paying for his more manageable premium. The kids are also covered. God has continually amazed us as our needs have been consistently met where that didn't seem possible. With God ALL things are possible. That will be what we hang on to now as we look at medical expenses that seem daunting.

So now begins the heavy research, prayer, decision phase that needs to happen within a week. No pressure...

Finally, I received a card in the mail yesterday from my doctor. Many of you have heard me talk about our family doctor. We think she is really great. When I was pregnant with our son and was having some false labor, she called me at home after her work hours, to check and see how I was doing. My husband and I were talking through the events of the day last Monday when we received the biopsy results. My husband said, "I think it was almost harder for [our doctor] to give you the news than it was for you to get it." I had thought the same thing. I don't think she would mind my sharing her note, it really touched me.

"Dear Wendy -

I know this is a tough time for you and your family.

I just wanted to let you know what an inspiration you are to me. You are in my prayers.

God has all the answers - look to him."


Yes He does and I will.