 Mom on the beach  |
I'm in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL with my mom this week. Back in February, my mom had a routine mammogram that showed something suspicious. A follow-up ultrasound in March confirmed a 1.5 cm lesion in her right breast.
At that point, she opted to come here, to the Mayo clinic, for diagnosis and treatment. In the last three days, she's had a mammogram, ultrasound, needle biopsy, bloodwork, EKG, chest x-ray, and MRI. This morning she got her diagnosis: invasive ductile carcinoma, stage one.
She'll return in three weeks for a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and chemotherapy. She's rented a townhome in the same neighborhood as my aunt Cathy. She's going to put her house in Norman on the market next week. My aunt will fly up to OK in two weeks, and they will drive my mom's car (and her dog) back to FL.
My mom is in good spirits. It's not the best news, but it's not the worst case scenario, either. They caught the cancer early, she's being treated at one of the best facilities in the country, her insurance will cover the treatment, and she gets to live in a tropical seaside paradise, to boot.
Thanks to all who expressed concern, who shared their stories, and who prayed for a good outcome for my mom. Just as Tori's autism diagnosis was a blessing in disguise for me, so too this diagnosis of cancer will have its silver lining for her. This will end up being a positive change because she will MAKE it one. Or, as we've grown fond of telling each other, we will take these lemons and make lemonade.
I love you, mom. |
.:.
| I still say, if you have lemons, do tequila shots. Or is that limes? Love, --Bill (2009.04.22) |
| Well D***N, I was still holding out hope for other news. But she is being very smart about how she confronts it, and we all have good reason to hope the next news will be better, that she'll be another of the many these days who are beating this beast. --NJB (2009.04.23) |
| It must be a great comfort to her to have such positive and supportive family members around her. Keep it up! --Carmen (2009.04.24) |
| You know where I am Amy. --Madeline (2009.04.25) |
| Amy, I've unfortunately been in your shoes. Keeping up a great attitude is so important to your mom's health, and having a supportive daughter will go a very long way. I'll be thinking of your family and wish the best for your mom's treatment. --Kathryn (2009.04.27) |
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