When Cancer Comes Calling

It’s never easy to hear the word “cancer”, but in today’s world it’s really not that unusual either. In the last 3 years, it seems as though my family has had its fair share of cancer diagnoses: my mom, my dad, and now myself (albeit 3 different types of cancer). 

            Let me catch you up to date if you feel “out of the loop”, or perhaps you’re just willing to sit here long enough and hear (…read) the whole story. In April 2014, I went in for a routine well woman check-up. The pap came back abnormal, and I was scheduled for a colposcopy, a simple biopsy done in office. Although this is a routine procedure to follow abnormal paps, it is not so simple and routine for me. Two years previously, I had this same procedure. In the office, following the colposcopy, I fainted in the receptionist area, resulting in 8 stitches in my chin, and dental work for months. (Did I mention the concrete stained floor??) So with much anticipation, I went in April for my colposcopy. Thanks to the awesome staff being so patient with me, I came out unscathed. The results came back within a couple of weeks. I had high grade dysplasia, which can become cancer. I would need a more invasive surgery (called a cone biopsy) to obtain a larger biopsy for further diagnosis. This surgery was done on May 19. Within a couple of weeks, I had the results and they indeed indicated cancer. Further pathology indicated invasive, and now the cancer has been staged as 1b cervical adenocarcinoma. Cervical cancer affects about 12,000 women a year in the US, and of those only about 10% are adenocarcinomas. Go figure… if you know my history in the statistics of life, you would see this isn’t all that surprising.

            Over the course of a few weeks, I have since been to see a couple of gynecologic oncologists, and have chosen the treatment plan and doctor best for me. I will be undergoing a radical hysterectomy with lymph node dissection on July 21. I hope to receive final pathology results with clear lymph nodes and clear margins.

            On a more personal note (and less factual and scientific), I am doing really well! I feel secure in the plan that God has for my life, and I have no doubt that He gives me the strength for each day… one at a time. I must remember this! ;) I am so looking forward to my mission trip to Cambodia in November, and this year, at least for me, it will be a celebration of life! I have been saying all along that I intend to go on this trip until God tells me otherwise. I have felt nothing but encouraged to continue planning and heading in this direction.  Bring on the surgery – I got things to do! :)

            I wouldn’t be telling the truth if I didn’t mention having bad days, frustrating days, and just plain ol’ tired days. BUT on every single day such as this, I have had a friend standing right there with me. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. You truly get me through the rough patches. Thanks for never leaving me to feel alone. Thanks for cheering me on. Thanks for spending time with me just hanging out. Thanks for making me laugh, smile, and yes, on occasion cry…at least we were doing it together. God’s got this. I got this. We got this. Thanks for fighting cancer with me! It takes an army, right? :)

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14