Waking up early in the morning the Saturday before Mother's Day this year, I experienced pain and discomfort in my left breast. To my horror I felt a large mass! I have always had a great fear of breast cancer. Was this cancer I asked myself? I was initially scared and then I prayed that God would help me to face this crisis in my life. I felt a sense of peace, but I still had to tell my family. My husband and daughters were shocked but very supportive.
Within two weeks I had had surgery and was told two days later, that I had cancer and would require a mastectomy. I remember lying on the hospital bed with tears rolling down my cheeks. I was upset but still reasonably calm. The mastectomy took place the following day. Although I had a problem with the anaesthetic and woke up on life support, the operation was a success. Three days later I went home, I was determined to live! Two days later I was out and about having coffee at a local restaurant and chatting to friends. I had a huge cut, 30cm long, that was healing well. Within a week I went back to work wearing a strategically placed scarf that a neighbour had knitted. I was back at work teaching pottery to the children.
My amazing recovery happened for a number of reasons. Firstly, my family who took such great care of me, my friends and family around the world who sent so many e-mails and phoned so often, saying that they were praying for me! God heard their prayers and I was doing well. It was awesome. My faith in God that He would help me through this had not failed me, I felt so well, experienced no pain and I was alive to tell my story. Six weeks after the surgery the shock of having cancer really hit me hard, I was extremely tearful and just wanted to be alone. But the next morning I hopped out of bed ready for a new day and with a sense of adventure that I would get through this with a positive attitude.
Chemotherapy begun at the end of July, and my hair started to fall out in mid August. My daughter Angie and I had such a laugh when I went to try on wigs, after trying on a few we found the perfect wig. I even looked younger - absolutely amazing! Soon the hair was falling out in clumps and so I had it shaved off. I will be having no bad hair days for a while. Wigs or scarves will be the fashion for a few months.
Looking back over the past four months, I look more feminine now, I always wear pearls, lipstick and wear my scarf or wig with grace. Life is full of adventure. I never know what will happen next, but I live one day at a time, with a determination to live life to its fullest.
To the woman out there who have a breast lump please get it checked. If you have had a mastectomy yes it is a traumatic time, but we woman of strength must rise up. Talk about it with friends - many of them will be scared but help them to understand that having a mastectomy is not the end of the world. It has made me a stronger person with a strong faith in my God. “
Within two weeks I had had surgery and was told two days later, that I had cancer and would require a mastectomy. I remember lying on the hospital bed with tears rolling down my cheeks. I was upset but still reasonably calm. The mastectomy took place the following day. Although I had a problem with the anaesthetic and woke up on life support, the operation was a success. Three days later I went home, I was determined to live! Two days later I was out and about having coffee at a local restaurant and chatting to friends. I had a huge cut, 30cm long, that was healing well. Within a week I went back to work wearing a strategically placed scarf that a neighbour had knitted. I was back at work teaching pottery to the children.
My amazing recovery happened for a number of reasons. Firstly, my family who took such great care of me, my friends and family around the world who sent so many e-mails and phoned so often, saying that they were praying for me! God heard their prayers and I was doing well. It was awesome. My faith in God that He would help me through this had not failed me, I felt so well, experienced no pain and I was alive to tell my story. Six weeks after the surgery the shock of having cancer really hit me hard, I was extremely tearful and just wanted to be alone. But the next morning I hopped out of bed ready for a new day and with a sense of adventure that I would get through this with a positive attitude.
Chemotherapy begun at the end of July, and my hair started to fall out in mid August. My daughter Angie and I had such a laugh when I went to try on wigs, after trying on a few we found the perfect wig. I even looked younger - absolutely amazing! Soon the hair was falling out in clumps and so I had it shaved off. I will be having no bad hair days for a while. Wigs or scarves will be the fashion for a few months.
Looking back over the past four months, I look more feminine now, I always wear pearls, lipstick and wear my scarf or wig with grace. Life is full of adventure. I never know what will happen next, but I live one day at a time, with a determination to live life to its fullest.
To the woman out there who have a breast lump please get it checked. If you have had a mastectomy yes it is a traumatic time, but we woman of strength must rise up. Talk about it with friends - many of them will be scared but help them to understand that having a mastectomy is not the end of the world. It has made me a stronger person with a strong faith in my God. “
No comments:
Post a Comment