Finding out that a 6 letter word can change your world

10/20/10
This blog will be dedicated to my mom, Phyllis. No last names because only the people who really matter will be reading this so it's not needed.  As all of you know, this last year has not been the easiest on many in this family. Health issues seemed to dominate every crack and crevice. But we prevailed only to get to another bump in the road. My mom, who may be small but mighty decided that she needed to do what her daughters, daughter-in-law, and husband was asking her to do....take the time to care for herself and get a clean bill of health. As we all know, we sit on pins and needles waiting for the results that never seem to come and then when you do get them, wish you could go back to waiting for the results. The mammogram came back with abnormal results, she needed to go back for another. She did and then they did an ultrasound and found 2 small lumps. Time for a biopsy...this all in one day. Results come back with that ominous 6 lettered word that strikes fear in anyone who has had to deal with it.

So we come to today, Wed, October 20. We all troop into the oncologist office to hear what life will be like for a while. We are told that it is Ductal Carcinoma, most common type of breast cancer. This is good because they know the most about it. Also good because it's not very big. Doc says the next step is to see the surgeon and for mom to decide if it's just the two lumps that will disappear or her whole breast.  Decisions will need to be made. When they do the surgery, they will inject radioactive dye into the area and see where it drains...most people, this would be into the lymph nodes under the arm. She will have different options for treatment, just depends on if it has spread and which surgery she decides to have. Doctor appts will be many for the next couple of weeks. And how do you absorb all that needs to be heard, said or asked and not miss anything important?

How can one word change a life? If it has the ability to change the direction of so many lives, shouldn't it be the longest word in the dictionary? I know so many people are praying for my mom, just as they did for my dad....and look at him now! So hopefully, I can keep this blog updated with all the current information so my Mom doesn't have to repeat it 2000 times :-). Everyone take care and thanks for reading...God Bless!