Tuesday 10 May 2011

A crushing weight

...has been some what lifted. (No pun intended)

I am relieved and grateful.
I am okay.
Though , I am still worried.
I just can't put the words together eloquently.
Be forewarned I may ramble.



The mammogram and ultrasound showed I have 4 cysts - 3 in one breast, 1 in another -  
NO suspicious lesions evident ;  Negative  !

* Though it still has the disclaimer down the bottom ...basically not all breast cancers are detected by mammogram.

I am not being a pessimist.
It is a fact I cannot ignore.
I just won't go there.

I am okay but not completely okay.
I have to go back to the GP , I am still sore in one spot.
I'll see what he suggests.

The timing was just crap (as I picked up my scans yesterday I had so much on mind).

Yesterday Monday / today's date 10th May is exactly 12 months.
Etched in my mind as one of the worse days ever.

A year since my husband saw the Oncology Surgeon and received his diagnosis.
A very rare malignant tumour around his right temple/temporal muscle. Most of which was removed April 28th, 2010.

We knew it was a tumour .
We went in hoping it was benign.
It wasn't.
Six straight weeks of radiation therapy followed mid June & through all of July.

Right now ... the last PET scan in February was clear.
We can only live in HOPE.
We do !
We are thankful for the medical team and treatment.
Thankful it was largely covered by medicare and our health fund.
His next followup is Monday.

Last year, I walked past the Breast cancer institute doors with him on his way to his radiation therapy, most days.
Everyone has radiation together. 


I remember seeing a sea of faces, head scarves...harrowing looks and sometimes smiles.

I spoke to a lady for 20 mins one day, she mentioned she was on her last radiation treatment for Breast cancer ; to follow my hubby that day.
It wasn't her day or allocated machine but they arranged it specially as it was a Friday and her last day. (Every 2nd Friday they serviced alternate radiation machines )
She looked maybe '50' .
She was hopeful her treatment was successful ; I will never know how she went.
I prayed for her a few times afterwards.

Another friend of mine, D, now 52 had cancer in her early 40's , she survived but is still not 100%.
D was still on chemo medication till she decided to stop recently because it was messing with her brain functioning she told me. 

Two weeks ago , at an engagement party gathering, I spoke to two close friends of my sister in law , in their early 50's. I know both women casually, both had breast cancer in their 40's and one more recently still undergoing treatment for lymphedema related to her breast cancer.

So many women in their 40's -50's I know personally, affected by breast cancer.
A few years ago a lady at church died aged about 46, leaving her a 5yr old daughter and husband. We were new to the church I didn't know her much at all.

Knowing these gorgeous women had a breast cancer diagnosis , close to my current age ; the reality bites.

Almost , eight years ago, my cousin, J, died of ovarian cancer / bowel cancer at 40 ...her youngest daughter (of 6 children) the age my little boys are now.
J had barely 8 weeks, after diagnosis her cancer was back to kill her , to live.

I honestly didn't know my cousin J, well as an adult she lived too far away and for a long time lived interstate.

It's a long story but her youngest little girl, N, then aged 4 1/2  spent 3 weeks with me.It was only 3 weeks after her mother died. N cried every night and asked to go to her mum constantly ~ in heaven ~ but was still happy enough to go about day to day with us. I cried with her in my arms most nights till she fell asleep. Then she was taken away.

A longer story still ... N  eventually couldn't live with her father, so has lived with a close relative of mine for the last 3 yrs after experiencing too much. I see N regularly now. She is a gorgeous pre- teen. So like her mother.

On Sunday , Mother's day , all I could think about when I saw N, was how her mother must have felt knowing she would never she N, grow up or her 5 other children aged from 9 to 18yrs.
Right about this time was when J would have got that news.
J's last Mother's day , I can't imagine it.
J knew then she was terminal.
Heartbreaking.
It was on my mind while I waited for Monday.

Families everywhere robbed of mothers, sisters, daughters.

Tragically taken too soon.

Families living in fear while they HOPE .
Overwhelmed by challenges, by the road they must travel, as they do their best to carry on normally.
A cr@ptastic detour.

My final point -

Mothers , any women, anyone ... 
If you are ever worried about anything do not delay getting it checked out.  
EVER !


Early detection is the best treatment and best hope.


PS I had a great, new giveaway to announce but BLOGGER was down yesterday and I couldn't post this , so now it will have to wait.


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16 comments :

Dina Roberts said...

Beautiful post. I'm glad you and your husband have gotten good news so far. But I understand how that hope and relief is also mixed with fear. None of us can really completely put our guard down.

Cancer is so scary and sad. It terrifies me. And it seems to happen so often to people.

Glow said...

So happy the news is good! Will you go for a CT scan too?
Cancer is such a scary thing, I think even a cancer scare would be terrible.
Wishing you fantastic test results xxx

melbo said...

THANK GOD (and no I am not taking the Lord's name in vain, I mean that sincerely). I am relieved and happy for you but totally understand the fear and anxiety around this and what you've had to go through. You guys have been through the wringer.

My own friend Carmel died last March from breast cancer and she was not yet 51. I know what you mean about the age jumping out at you. And I too fear that something will happen to me only because of the boys. So long as I can see them into adulthood - that's all I want. Well, I want more but you know what I mean!

Just relieved Trish ... nothing but relieved.

Anonymous said...

This is one of the only times that I truly love the word 'negative'. I continue to hope and pray for you and your family that you all stay healthy and happy.

Anonymous said...

It's a horrible, horrible thing that touches so many people. I've heard a recent statistic that pretty much half of us can expect to receive a cancer diagnosis in our lifetime. Thank God treatment is getting better. So glad that you're OK and your husband is still doing well xox

Anonymous said...

I'm really glad it was clear, that's such a relief. And wonderful for your husband too.

So Now What? said...

Am so relieved for you. I should be reading this more but am a slacko. Will be back to keep up with what I know will be good news. Bern x

phonakins said...

Yes, get everything checked. Yes, it's hard to get into a GP. But it can be worth the effort.

Take care.

x

Leah said...

So glad you got it checked and it is ok!

Mum-me said...

Good to hear your husband's last scan was all clear. And good on your for getting yourself checked out. I've had to have several mammograms for suspicious lumps and I know how uncomfortable (ie painful) they can be.

A lady I knew back in Canberra died on Mother's Day from a secondary cancer - about 5 years after she had both breasts removed for breast cancer. I know of quite a few others who have successfully overcome their breast cancer and are now as 'free' of it as you can be after having it once. It's a terrible killer and I think it's dreadful that the public has to fund raise for research into these kinds of diseases when the government is just wasting so much money on other things which don't seem nearly as important.

Anonymous said...

so so so pleased for you.

tons of hugs

Anonymous said...

Fantastic news! I'm so happy for you.

Kate said...

Such a moving post. I'm so glad you got the all clear. Sending lots of love.

♥.Trish.♥ Drumboys said...

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments. I appreciate them more than I can say...
No you don't want me to break into song :)

ClaireyHewitt said...

I hope it all comes through ok for you.

Hope, sometimes it is all we have, whether it be little or a lot, hope is a powerful thing.

Deborah said...

I'm sorry I'm really late on reading and commenting on this post. Just catching up with your blog now.

Tears in my eyes as I read this post. How heartbreaking cancer is for families. I feel for your cousin's daughter. No-one should ever have to lose their mama that young.

And I truly hope there is nothing but good news for you, and for your hubby as the future unfolds. Keep well and God bless xxx

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