Aren't I too Young??

"Go get a mammogram!" That was a post on my facebook. It was quite random. You see, that day, a few weeks ago, I posted something like, "So now what?" Not really sure why, just being random myself I guess. And that had been the response. I was thinking to myself, "Aren't I too young for that?"

It was that comment that got me to schedule that appointment with the doctor. I've come to believe, especially now, that nothing is by coincidence. God can put things together just perfectly and at the right time in order to teach, show, or help us through things in our lives.

As I said before, I had to wait a week for the results. Seriously, I prayed so hard that I wouldn't stress over that 5% chance that it could be cancerous. Whatever the outcome, I had to deal with it regardless. But boy, did I ever pray and seek God that whole week, hoping it was nothing serious. The appointment came unusually fast. When I arrived, however, it seemed like forever waiting for that surgeon to walk in the room with my results. I took Abbey, my two year old, with me that day, hopefully to lighten the mood. The surgeon came in and gave me my results. It was indeed a fibroid, a benign tumor. I almost wanted to cry with relief! I was leaping with joy leaving the office, so happy, and finally able to breathe.

Driving home, my thoughts went back to those women in the waiting room. There were so many, I'm really not exaggerating. I was thinking to myself, "What are the odds that one, maybe two of those ladies received different news?" Being optimistic, I wanted to believe everyone of them were fine. But sometimes, that's just not reality. The statistics lately are sobering. Many women, even men, are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. While it may be tragic and sad, it's also very encouraging. Technology and science have come a long way to treat women, as well as men. I can see why they stress early detection, because in doing so, can treat and cure so many more with this disease.

If I can do one thing with my story, and everything that has come my way these last few weeks, is to first, be able to share with others, especially women, who never thought they should get checked out at an early age. To my friend who posted that message, I am so grateful that you took the time and care to think of others. I'm certainly not one who shares personal stories with everyone. Most of the things I write, are not shared or shown to anyone. After this happened, I felt it's the least I could do to not only credit God and praise him for everything, but to also put into practice Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." That is what we are supposed to do! Lean on each other, pray for one another, encourage, and to lift up!

You are NEVER to young to get a mammogram. In the end it could save your life. I urge everyone to keep this in mind. My story ended

My Beginning

You know, I can sit back and replay things in my mind over and over. But there are some things that stay vivid in my memory, and every time I think about it, it becomes so real, as if I was still there.

I'm talking about the time I walked into a waiting room, a long fluffy robe around my shoulders, tied comfortably around my waist. I sat down in a very crowded area, not many vacant chairs left. As I looked around, I saw women, young and old. I looked for a magazine on the table. I can't even remember what I was reading, but as I was thumbing through, I looked over the magazine to catch some of the women seated around me. No one spoke, it was so quiet. I wondered if they felt the same way I did. Confused, scared, or anxious?

You see, 3 days before, I left my doctors office, told that there was a small lump on my right breast, and also adding she believed it was not a cyst. It didn't sound good, and yes, I was afraid. When I left the doctors that day, of course, everything runs through your mind, usually the worst of things being first. What was I going to do? Well first thing was to schedule a mammogram/ultrasound. I called and was able to get in right away. Thank God for that.

So there I was, sitting in this waiting area. Looking at so many women, some of them, maybe facing the same thing I was, uncertainty of what the future may hold. Ironically, though I couldn't remember the magazine I was reading, the contents were almost all discussing women and health issues, such as breast cancer. It figures, huh? One by one, each woman was called by the nurse. Finally, my turn.

My tests went fine, the ultrasound did reveal a small solid lump. They said they needed to do a biopsy. They said it was routine for all that are not cysts. They said there was nothing to be worried about. They can SAY all they want, but in my heart, which was beating fast and heavy, I had such a doubt and fear that would not go away. The next step, I needed to see a surgeon. I frantically called upon leaving the hospital that day. First they said I would have to wait for over 2 weeks! Are they crazy?? I silently prayed as she put me on hold, and when she came back, I was told they had an opening in just 2 days! Praise God! I snatched that appointment faster than you could blink.

Flash forward 2 days, I'm waiting for the surgeon. It was taking so long, as she had so many patients that day. I didn't care. I was so thankful to get in so soon. Finally, she came in, examined me, talked to me. She then was confused, because a biopsy should never have been scheduled for first time patients in her office. But because I waited so long, she did another ultrasound, spoke with her staff, and said since I was there for a biopsy, asked would I be okay if she removed it completely. I was so extremely happy! God is so good. So about an hour later, a small outpatient surgery was completed, and the lump was removed. The surgeon told me she was 95% sure it was a fibroid, a benign tumor which poses no health threats or problems. Hallelujia! She did tell me it was being sent to the lab for tests, and I was to see her in a week for the final results. There was still the 5% chance that it could come back as cancer. I was resting in the fact that those chances are better than most, and I wasn't going to let that worry me for a week until I found out. I went home, a bit sore, and rested that night. Rested better than I had since this whole thing began. Yeah, I still had to go back for the final results, but in the meantime, I rested, and boy did it feel good.