Unexpected News

April 1, 2023

I don't what it is about this time of year, but the last week of March, first week of April are particularly hard times for me and my family. Here are a few things in particular that have happened this time of year in the past.

April 1, 2002, My mom passed away from ovarian cancer

April 3, 2003 I found out I had thyroid cancer, which also happened to be my mom's birthday

March 31, 2021 at 2am woke to our outdoor kitchen on fire in the backyard. The fire just made it to the house as the firefighters put it out. A very scary event for all of us!

Now, I have another unfortunate event to add to this list. 

Yesterday, on March 31st, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 

The last two weeks have been a bit of whirlwind, you might say. Last Monday, March 20th, I had my yearly mammogram. A small mass was seen so I was scheduled for an ultrasound, and then ultimately a biopsy on Wednesday. By Friday (yesterday), I was told it was indeed cancer. It all seems a bit surreal still. 

The good thing is that it was caught early and it is small. (Ladies, if you are over 40, please be sure to get your yearly mammograms!) We are still waiting on a couple more test results to come back, but at this point, I am told it should be a standard procedure of surgery, possibly radiation and then hormone therapy and done. I expect to be fine just uncomfortable getting there! I do have as positive an attitude you can have with this news. But it is the process of all these things (and their costs!) that isn't going to be very fun. We have a meeting with the surgeon next Tuesday, where we hopefully will get some more information on how to go forward. 

The other good news is that I am not alone. I have family and friends that will support me. But the biggest support I have is Christ. I know He is with me, just as He was with me through my mom's illness and death and my journey with thyroid cancer. He will be the one to get me through this and use it for His purpose and glory.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me" 

Psalms 23:4

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete." 

James 1:2-4