Questionable Mammogram

[Patriot Heart]

Well it happened to me. Last week I had my first mammogram in several years. It seemed I was always nursing a child (my 3 each did until they were 3) and they can't be done if you are lactating. Then for the last 4 years I have no excuse, just "too busy". (Sorry excuse for a medical person!) Anyway, it came back questionable. I was back at OU Physicians Group for a followup mammo today. Results still questionable, biopsy needed. A empathetic MD, who managed to fit me into her very busy schedule for a biopsy the same day. Now I wait for results. I have had my little pity party, and now I am going forward. Prayers for my acceptance of God's plan are welcome. I would also ask that any of you ladies out there get your mammograms. Don't dawdle, it's so foolish when we have such wonderful technology available in this great country.
Link to the procedure used by my doc http://www.breastbiopsy.com/

[Melz]

My prayers are with you for positive results PH, I have faith that all will work out fine.

I have never had a mammo. I am 33 and am not sure when you start worrying for such things. I can barely bring myself to the doctor when I need antibiotics, and that is quick and painless.

[Antigone]

PH, my thoughts and prayers are with you. This has to be such a hard thing to go through. Keep your spirits up.

[Beowulf]

Prayers to you, PH. Hopefully it turns out to be nothing.

[Lazarus]

We're with you, sweetpea... And Im firing up prayers today... Hugs!

[Patriot Heart]

Well............the news is not good :crazy: . I found out today I have "infiltrating ductal carcinoma" of the left breast. The upside it they believe it was caught pretty early, it could never have been palpated, only seen on good quality mammograms. Next step an MRI next week, visit with surgeon, lumpectomy in 2 weeks, then 6 weeks radiation if there are no nodes involved....thanks for the prayers guys, they have helped already and will keep helping........

[Native American]

O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who hast sent thine Only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our ailments and deliver us from death: do thou visit and heal thy servant, Patriot Heart, granting her release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that she may give thanks unto thee and bless thy holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

[Native American]

Not that it especially matters, Patriot Heart, but I notice Holdenville is only about 3 hours from where I live, near Ozark.

May God bless you, even in this time of concern.

[Patriot Heart]

Thank you so much Native American, I truly appreciate it. I can hardly grasp the concept of my diagnosis right now.
We are practically neighbors aren't we?

[Melz]

PH, I will have prayers and concern for how you get thru this, but I am still with confidence that it will all work out. I don't want your health in danger of any failing dear..I just have much confidence on your recovery being 100% :)

Please, if you need anything, anything at all, will you please tell me? I will be praying, as I do for you all ...

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Prayers will be with you from Florida too, PH. Rest in the Father and His Will, both are perfect and beyond measure. Rest assured you will be surrounded by a blanket of prayers, good thoughts, and concern from your fellow Freecers. May the Lord Yahweh grant the peace which passes all understanding, and the grace to endure this with strength and courage, as well as His mercies for when times get difficult and hope hard to hold.
Many Blessings, always,
Hms

[Large_Al]

Mega prayers ....

[Native American]

Thank you so much Native American, I truly appreciate it. I can hardly grasp the concept of my diagnosis right now.
We are practically neighbors aren't we?

Yes, we are. BTW, as your doctor has probably told you, the prognosis is usually pretty good these days re. breast cancer. I used to work at Children's Hospital in Boston, and would hear about the terrific advances medical science has made in battling the various forms of cancer.

Still, I know it must be a shock to you, and I bet it makes you nervous. I know it would me (a lot of men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year also, as you may already know) but medical treatment of cancer is pretty good these days. Several of my friends were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and had to go the surgery and chemo route, but they are doing well. And I bet you will too.

[RedCastle9]

Hi Patriot Heart, I'm a friend of Laz. He told me about your diagnosis and asked that I'd send you a note. Of course I had to! I know Exactly what you are going through. Okay ... not exactly, but close ;)

First of all, I'm a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma which is, as you probably already know, the same thing you have. However, I was far more advanced than you are. I tended to have 'lumpy' breasts, so self exams were mostly a waste of time except to note whether the lumps disappeard month to month, which they mostly did. When I noticed this largish lump on my right breast I didn't think much about it .... until I realized it was still there two months later AND it had grown. By the time I went to the doctor it was about the size of a half a small grapefruit ... more or less. The doctor got me in almost immediately for a mammogram and a few days later I was in for a biopsy. It came back positive for cancer.

Ultimately I was diagnosed Stage III. The only thing that kept it from Stage IV (there is no Stage V) was the fact that it hadn't mastisized past the lateral lymph nodes (Praise God for that).

I had the full course of chemotherapy (Taxotere Cytoxan and Adriamycin) first, then surgery and finally 7 weeks of radiation. Now I'm just taking Arimidex which supresses estrogen levels as the breast cancer was estrogen receptor positive.

The GOOD news is: God has healed me! ... not in the sense that one minute I had cancer and the next minute I didn't ... no, it was much better than that. First God dealt with the cancer that was entrenched in my soul. I had a lot of buried issues that he attacked with the chemotherapy of the Holy Spirit, the scaple of the Word and the light of his Love. Then he surrounded me with his People, Christians who ministered to me and my family with prayer, food and financial assistance. We even had a couple groups of people who came to our house and did some minor repairs and painted some rooms I had intended to do that spring before my diagnosis.

God has blessed me with a job that has provided fantasitc health insurance as well as allowed me to continue working throughout my ordeal. On days I wasn't feeling too well they allowed me to work from home. That has been an unbelievable blessing from God.

It wasn't easy. I shed my share of tears, but ultimately I have to say, having cancer was a blessing. I learned how precious every moment is. I've learned to appreciate my husband, my children and certain people I'd taken for granted, but will never take for granted again. Best of all, I've learned how much God loves me, and that he faithfully and lovingly provides for ALL my needs.

My advice ... when you are anxious or afraid, cry out to God! Reach for him with all your heart and mind and strength. He's RIGHT THERE! No walls or ceilings, no demons or principalities will stop him from being there for you and holding you in that dark place. If you don't feel it, just KNOW it.

Also, God has provided the knowledge and medicines and therapies to defeat this evil disease. Native American is right. Advances in medicine have made the survivor rate of cancer VERY high. Take full advantage of them ... but never forget, it is God who heals. I'm thanking him for the healing he has already begun in you and for the healing he will continue to do. I'm thanking him for the strength and joy he will provide you with and the peace he will bless you with as you face whatever it is he has for you to face. He will NEVER leave you alone. You will never face any of it by yourself.

God bless you, sweety, and know he brought me here for you through our mutual friend Laz. If you need someone to talk to I'm here for you. Don't hesitate to PM me anytime. As a matter of fact, I'm PMing you right now. :)

[Charity]

PH you are in my prayers. I am praying for a full recovery for you. HUGS***

Redcastle what a wonderful testimony that you recovered after all you have been through. God is so good.

[Patriot Heart]

Oh gosh, now you guys are making me cry... as as I PM'd Red Castle I finally can this morning, up until now 1) the kids are always around (we homeschool) or 2) there is never a box of Kleenex when you need it, and when I cry I look like a tomato.
One of those God sent freinds insisted on haing the kids spend last night at her house. Thism AM we are off to OKC (80 miles one way) for the MRI.
Many thanks all for the prayer blanket, it IS my security.......