It’s Time for an Update

Hello friends. I realize that it has been a while since I’ve posted any updates. There are many reasons for this – my brain being foggy from anesthesia being the main one! I’ll jump right in, and we’ll see how this goes 🙂

Timeline:
Nov. 4 – diagnosis
Nov. 7 – met with surgeons and decision for double mastectomy and reconstruction made
Nov. 14 – surgery at Women’s Hospital
Nov. 15 – discharged from hospital
Nov. 15 – 21 – a complete blur (my apologies if you spoke to me or visited during this time!)
Nov. 22 – follow-up appointment with general surgeon – pathology back from surgery – Grade 1, lymph nodes clear, HER 2-, Estrogen and Progesterone +, Ki67 low; no malignancy in right breast, left breast tumor .9 cm
Nov. 23 – follow-up with plastic surgeon, drains removed, healing progressing well
Nov. 28 – appointment with oncologist; I’ll take Tamoxifen for years; waiting on Oncotype Score to come back to determine if preventative chemo will need to be done
Dec. 7 – CT and Bone scans done; all clear (and Madeline’s birthday)
Dec. 8 – I’m healing and waiting.

80% of most days I feel really good. When I stop feeling good, I rest. 80% may be an exaggeration, but that sounds about right. I was blessed with very good health prior to surgery, and that has gone a long way in my recovery – I have suffered no complications in healing, etc. The surgeons were able to complete my reconstruction in the one surgery – that’s the case in about 50% of situations like mine – I’m thankful to be on this half. I’m experiencing a lot of soreness, and chest muscle fatigue, but my range of motion is pretty great for this stage in the game.

Many friends have commented on how hard this waiting must be…but for some reason it really hasn’t been hard. I think because everything happened so quickly with the diagnosis and surgery, there has been a sort of comfort in the waiting. The Lord is gently guiding me along, and teaching me how to graciously accept my weakness and my need for others (I’m afraid I’m a bit remedial in these lessons, but, I’m learning). One thing I learned from going through this with Mama is that “today we know what we know today.” There is no benefit from making plans today on truths that are tomorrow’s. For now,  I rest. I do what I can do when I can do it. I ask for help, or I am patient. Shockingly, the world hasn’t stopped turning while I’ve been inside my house 😉

A truth I know today is that my family is loved. We are prayed for. We are cooked for. We are served. We are pampered. God’s people are good. There really aren’t words that I can type to adequately express thanks for this truth.

love to you all,

Devin