If you don't know me you may be unaware that currently my parents, brother, myself and my 5 year old daughter (+ 7 puppies and 2 dogs) are residing in my small home. My folks are remodeling their home and it is a major overhaul that left them "homeless" while the work is completed. One may say that it is part and parcel to the theme of Change this year.
Once work is complete we'll all be packing up and moving into my childhood home v2.0. They completely gutted the kitchen and bathroom. Added a dinning room, 4th bedroom and a 2nd bathroom. Needless to say, it's going to be a fantastic little place to live for all of us!
It is a mighty blessing to have my family under one roof though currently it's a bit stressful as we do not have enough rooms/ beds for each person to sleep, are not all on the same wake/sleep/work cycle, and only have one bathroom. We're making it work and it's been kind of wonderful.
It was a normal Thursday night. The night before Good Friday. Little Miss had school the next day, because we had such a snowy kind of winter this year. My mom was lounging on the couch when she asked me to look at something. I walked over and eyed the spot she pointed at and I asked her, "how long ago did you take off your bra?" She answered, "I haven't worn one all day today." Immediately, I began worrying. I told her she absolutely must see the Doc tomorrow and prodded her to be steadfast in making an appointment.
The next day, I called to remind my mom in the morning. She needed to get into the doctor right away. Why you might ask? What did I see? Why was I so worried?
My mom had found on her breast a lump that was surrounded by indention/dimpling. I had a friend that was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and the information that I sought after her diagnosis told me that this was a sign of malignancy and not something to take lightly.
On the following Monday mom was given a diagnostic mammogram followed immediately by an ultra sound. They both indicated a need for a biopsy. Thursday that week saw mom having a needle guided by an ultrasound drawing tissue from the lump. Tuesday last week our fears were confirmed: CANCER.
Thursday this week will be Mom's first Oncology appointment. We are praying for it to be isolated though we already know from the results that there are 3 spots that make up the lump. I knew big changes were ahead, but I had not counted this as a possibility. We are trying to remain optimistic as there have been amazing advances in the care and treatment of breast cancer.
Right now, the hardest part is being unsure what we're facing. The only thing I know for sure is they are planning a full scan to see if this is the only place affected and begin to form the best strategy for dealing with this unexpected discovery.
Nothing prepares a family for this kind of journey, but at least we have each other.
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