I have a confession to make:
But first,
Nearly eight years ago, surgeries, procedures and recovery due to mastectomy took away about a year of what my "normal" life looked like. And this was withOUT having to endure chemo and radiation.
Working out, being active, typical household chores and more were put on hold for a time. "Normal" activities such as grocery shopping, car pooling, laundry, cooking, cleaning etc slowly were added back in to my life still without much gusto. Even modified workouts such as walking and the bike were eventually incorporated back in.
It was probably a year before I could start working my upper body muscles again. The dreaded push up, although always girly style for me, was a thing of the past. I was so weak but push ups, REAL pushups were my goal. Pull ups would eventually be thrown in there as a goal but years later. Needless to say, a wall pushup is where I had to start.
Fast forward 7 years, 9 months:
Doing 20 to 25 pushups in a roll is something I am proud to say I can do now and am working on upping that number. Whenever push ups are required for my workout I still modify when I have to but strive to do all of them without my knees on the ground. They may not always be pretty but.....
Here's the confession part: So whenever I have a mammogram appointment, the days leading up to it I get down on the floor and do pushups because I start thinking in the back of my head, "If that mammogram result comes back unfavorable, I may get this taken away from me again!"
Yes, I'm a dork. Well, not really. Yes the push up scenario sounds silly but if you think about it, we tend to want things more when we can't have them. We don't realize just how much something means to us until we don't have it. It's something I'm still trying to work on as a whole in my life; you know, take in and appreciate everything. One day I hope to conquer this but I doubt it will ever happen on this side of life. We are always a work in progress!
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Monday, February 27, 2017
DejaVu. Sort Of. Obedience - Yes. Intercessory Prayer - Definitely!
Yearly mammograms aren't something I can skip or postpone. In fact no woman should skip or postpone these but with my history of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) I wouldn't be doing myself any favors by not following up with these appointments. This situation felt a little like deja vu from 8 years ago but not completely.
Tues, Feb 21, 2017
was my yearly screening mammogram. A little apprehension is always going to be there for me. I don't get scared, I just want to get in, get out and get the results quickly!
The next day...
Wed, Feb 22, 2017
Dennis is getting ready to leave for work and gives me his ritual bear hug and kiss but it was a little different today especially when he says something like, "I just have so much love for you this morning." Very sweet guy I have. About an hour later while working out I get a call saying I need to come back for more tests because something they see on the films is not clear and they need more pics via mammography, ultrasound and/or MRI. Ugh! Ok. But this is okay because back in 2009 when I was called back after my mammo it was clearly because they saw micro calcifications. This is what started my breast cancer journey back then. You can read about that journey here if interested. http://teresa-solodon.blogspot.com/2009/10/chapter-of-teresas-story.html
But for now they just need more info. Could I come in Thursday Feb 23? Well, I already made a commitment to babysit and Dennis was already taking his dad to the doctor that day. I didn't want to stress myself and everyone else out by trying to switch everyone's schedules with less than 24 hour notice. It wasn't life threatening anyway. Plus, we had a busy weekend with Matthew and his bowling team competing in Regionals both Friday and Saturday. As much as I wanted to get in, get out and get results, I chose to take a Monday morning appointment instead. Besides, if by chance results weren't what I wanted to hear, I wanted to wait until AFTER the weekend was done.
I didn't tell Dennis right away because he had a lot going on at work this day and I wanted to wait to hear from my doctor anyway (it was the imaging department who had called me to set up the follow up appointment.) I knew my doctor would be calling me just as soon as he could and sure enough the office did call me a little later explaining that this call back was more about getting more pictures to try to verify what it is they see because they weren't sure if it was a shadow from my implant or perhaps I moved during the screening. Either way, more tests but please don't worry.
I truly was not scared. I had peace.
I finished working out and was more concerned than anything about telling Dennis. He's a trooper but likes to get answers quickly. Once I told him the news he immediately went in to "fix it" mode, like most men do, by making arrangements for someone else to take his dad so he could go with me on Thursday to the appointment and not wait until Monday. Bless his heart. I know how much he loves me. Here's the thing. I had a deep conviction that Monday's appointment was fine....that I didn't need to stress out about this. Dennis and his sister kept texting me asking me if I was sure. I really and truly was sure. I know how much this bothered Dennis because he hates the waiting game but I believe God's hand was all over this. God always has a plan in every situation. In fact I'm confident He has plenty of back up plans too. I believe God allows some things, events, trials to come into our lives for a reason. Not to punish, but to help us...we just have to be aware and on the look out for God's purpose. I'm not exactly sure what the reason was for this hiccup in our lives but my theory is this, actually a couple different things....
Theory one. Recently in our small group we talked about how Dennis is quick to speak and pray but a tad slower at sitting still, staying quiet and waiting to hear the answer God is trying to tell him. Dennis knows this is an opportunity for him in life and prays to do better. By me "making" him wait until Monday he had no choice but to talk to God and practice listening to Him so he knew what he should do to "fix" this. This leads to theory number two. Obedience.
Dennis heeded what the Bible tells us to do: Matthew 18:19-20 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agreed about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Not only did Dennis sit and listen, he was obedient and was not ashamed to ask for prayer on social media (Facebook) that my tests would be 100% normal. How often do we dismiss going public with our belief in Jesus? Truthfully, at the time I wasn't having the same "Aha, let's all hold hands and pray for a miracle" moment as much as Dennis was. Of course I was praying. I had a little apprehension but I wasn't overly concerned , yet. So many women get called back and most of the time everything is fine. However, Dennis knew better which leads me to theory number three. Intercessory prayer.
Let's pretend Dennis humbly went before God to ask what to do in this situation (which is what God wants) but chose NOT to plead for prayer from others for non-cancerous test results. We could've sat on this and waited until AFTER the extra tests to mention it to everyone. By doing that, perhaps test results would have been different? And NOT in our favor? No doubt God would definitely have used that situation for His glory if test results weren't in our favor. He's done it before. I believe it's very possible God used Dennis to ask for intercession in this little hiccup of our life. I truly believe intercessory prayer can change the results of whatever situation we are going through. It may not always happen that way, but it will never happen that way if one doesn't even try intercessory prayer at all.
As you probably concluded, my follow up tests came back in my favor today. After two more mammograms and an ultrasound, the image they saw is that of a benign cyst. No need for more follow up at this time but just continue to come back for yearly mammogram screenings.
I have a great God. I have a loving husband. I am grateful for his persistence this past week. Being proactive with our health is so important but Dennis took it a step further and was proactive by trusting in the one true Healer. God is good indeed!
I love you, Dennis.
Tues, Feb 21, 2017
was my yearly screening mammogram. A little apprehension is always going to be there for me. I don't get scared, I just want to get in, get out and get the results quickly!
The next day...
Wed, Feb 22, 2017
Dennis is getting ready to leave for work and gives me his ritual bear hug and kiss but it was a little different today especially when he says something like, "I just have so much love for you this morning." Very sweet guy I have. About an hour later while working out I get a call saying I need to come back for more tests because something they see on the films is not clear and they need more pics via mammography, ultrasound and/or MRI. Ugh! Ok. But this is okay because back in 2009 when I was called back after my mammo it was clearly because they saw micro calcifications. This is what started my breast cancer journey back then. You can read about that journey here if interested. http://teresa-solodon.blogspot.com/2009/10/chapter-of-teresas-story.html
But for now they just need more info. Could I come in Thursday Feb 23? Well, I already made a commitment to babysit and Dennis was already taking his dad to the doctor that day. I didn't want to stress myself and everyone else out by trying to switch everyone's schedules with less than 24 hour notice. It wasn't life threatening anyway. Plus, we had a busy weekend with Matthew and his bowling team competing in Regionals both Friday and Saturday. As much as I wanted to get in, get out and get results, I chose to take a Monday morning appointment instead. Besides, if by chance results weren't what I wanted to hear, I wanted to wait until AFTER the weekend was done.
I didn't tell Dennis right away because he had a lot going on at work this day and I wanted to wait to hear from my doctor anyway (it was the imaging department who had called me to set up the follow up appointment.) I knew my doctor would be calling me just as soon as he could and sure enough the office did call me a little later explaining that this call back was more about getting more pictures to try to verify what it is they see because they weren't sure if it was a shadow from my implant or perhaps I moved during the screening. Either way, more tests but please don't worry.
I truly was not scared. I had peace.
I finished working out and was more concerned than anything about telling Dennis. He's a trooper but likes to get answers quickly. Once I told him the news he immediately went in to "fix it" mode, like most men do, by making arrangements for someone else to take his dad so he could go with me on Thursday to the appointment and not wait until Monday. Bless his heart. I know how much he loves me. Here's the thing. I had a deep conviction that Monday's appointment was fine....that I didn't need to stress out about this. Dennis and his sister kept texting me asking me if I was sure. I really and truly was sure. I know how much this bothered Dennis because he hates the waiting game but I believe God's hand was all over this. God always has a plan in every situation. In fact I'm confident He has plenty of back up plans too. I believe God allows some things, events, trials to come into our lives for a reason. Not to punish, but to help us...we just have to be aware and on the look out for God's purpose. I'm not exactly sure what the reason was for this hiccup in our lives but my theory is this, actually a couple different things....
Theory one. Recently in our small group we talked about how Dennis is quick to speak and pray but a tad slower at sitting still, staying quiet and waiting to hear the answer God is trying to tell him. Dennis knows this is an opportunity for him in life and prays to do better. By me "making" him wait until Monday he had no choice but to talk to God and practice listening to Him so he knew what he should do to "fix" this. This leads to theory number two. Obedience.
Dennis heeded what the Bible tells us to do: Matthew 18:19-20 "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agreed about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Not only did Dennis sit and listen, he was obedient and was not ashamed to ask for prayer on social media (Facebook) that my tests would be 100% normal. How often do we dismiss going public with our belief in Jesus? Truthfully, at the time I wasn't having the same "Aha, let's all hold hands and pray for a miracle" moment as much as Dennis was. Of course I was praying. I had a little apprehension but I wasn't overly concerned , yet. So many women get called back and most of the time everything is fine. However, Dennis knew better which leads me to theory number three. Intercessory prayer.
Let's pretend Dennis humbly went before God to ask what to do in this situation (which is what God wants) but chose NOT to plead for prayer from others for non-cancerous test results. We could've sat on this and waited until AFTER the extra tests to mention it to everyone. By doing that, perhaps test results would have been different? And NOT in our favor? No doubt God would definitely have used that situation for His glory if test results weren't in our favor. He's done it before. I believe it's very possible God used Dennis to ask for intercession in this little hiccup of our life. I truly believe intercessory prayer can change the results of whatever situation we are going through. It may not always happen that way, but it will never happen that way if one doesn't even try intercessory prayer at all.
As you probably concluded, my follow up tests came back in my favor today. After two more mammograms and an ultrasound, the image they saw is that of a benign cyst. No need for more follow up at this time but just continue to come back for yearly mammogram screenings.
I have a great God. I have a loving husband. I am grateful for his persistence this past week. Being proactive with our health is so important but Dennis took it a step further and was proactive by trusting in the one true Healer. God is good indeed!
I love you, Dennis.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Two Friends - Breast Cancer - Lessons
Michelle. She has had her surgery and is at the beginning of her chemo treatments. Round two is today which prevented her from going to the airport to see her son off. He's a marine.
Karin. A "sister" who I have just begun to start talking to and getting to know finished her chemo treatments on Christmas Eve (2015)!!!!! Her next step will be her surgery. Her mom is ALSO battling along side her from what I understand.
 |
| Cabrini's Pink Out game October 2015 |
You cry more but you also smile and laugh more.
You care. OH, do you care! You cherish like you've never cherished before.
You learn to prioritize and set limitations. It's not easy at first because you're supposed to be superwoman but eventually you learn at this time in your life, you cannot,
HOWEVER,
you do what you can when you can because even though you're tired, you're never ever giving up hope and faith that you're going to beat this.
You become humble. Relying on others when you are used to doing it all becomes a way of life during this time. It's not easy but you go with it and learn to accept the help.
Your faith in God becomes your strength when you think you can't do it anymore.
These lessons learned (the hard way sometimes) become teaching tools for the future. YOU become the supporter. YOU become the one someone else relies on. YOU become the blessing to someone else because you "know". You know what it is like and will look back and say to yourself, "There was a reason. I was within God's perfect plan that I had to go through that." Someone else needed me too.
It goes without saying, cancer isn't the only interruption in life that can teach us to learn from the trial we must endure. I think we are allowed to mourn, yell, kick, scream and claim it's not fair. Heck, I did! I always tried to move out of that frame of mind and ask God to renind me why or who I needed to fight this fight for.
I see in Michele and Karin the strength they have mustered up, the emotions they've felt, the appreciation they have, and how they are cherishing life and all that it has to offer; the little things and the big. As I watch them, they inspire me to embrace my challenges in life like they are because we really do only have one life on this earth to live and I believe God does want us to live it to the fullest.
If you're in a place in your life that you don't have the kind of faith Michele, Karin and myself have, consider putting your faith in the one Lord, Jesus who can help you through and give you peace in the midst of the storm. If He's tugging at your heart to turn to Him, trust it's the right time. His timing is always perfect!
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Recap of My 2014 New Year's Resolution Challenge - Birthday Wishes
Anyone make a New Year's Resolution for 2015? If so, what?
I typically don't make resolutions but at the last minute at the end of 2013, I had this "bright" idea of writing every one of my FB friends a special wish on their birthday in 2014 on my wall for my whole friend's list to see. Sounds sweet, right? Just as most people are gung-ho when they first make a resolution, I was too.
I only told Dennis.
I was bound and determined.
The first couple days/weeks were pretty cool. Writing those wishes for the first few people was super fun. I received some precious thank yous from them and just smiled.
Fast forward a couple weeks where the busyness of life is back in full swing; school, lunch monitoring, appointments, errands and, oh, my New Year's Resolution! Check Facebook to see if anyone has a birthday today and sure enough, but, "Oh crap! I don't know this person all that well. We went to school together but we weren't really friends."
So I stalk his/her Facebook page, go dig out my yearbooks, ask Dennis about this person (since we went to the same HS together) just so I can try to remember this particular person and make a sincere wish without pulling hogwash out of my booty. Success, another wish posted!
After about the second month, this commitment started to become habit for me. I would even look ahead a few days to see whose wish was on my agenda so I could think about and plan accordingly when I knew I had a busy day ahead of me.
My whole goal here was to breathe life into my friends. No matter what our differences, what beliefs we shared or disagreed about, no matter what religion, political stance, the idea was to find and share the positives, to share a memory or how this person matters. Some posts were more difficult only because either I didn't know a person too well (some I have never even met in person) OR I knew that person SO well that it was difficult to condense. Many times I had to go on what I've read on Facebook, friends' comments, spouses' comments and so forth. Prayer was my friend. I often asked God to help enlighten me to say the right things. I was really starting to take this resolution to heart more than when I started it. I didn't want to blow smoke up anyone's butt.
March comes along and I'm out of town with my family for the weekend for a wedding. I realize I have a couple birthdays to do which I believe I ended up having to do on my cell.
I think to myself, "I have more than 3/4 of a year to go with this! What was I thinking!?!?" It's not that I didn't want to do it but man, this is a huge commitment I made. I didn't think anyone would really care if I just stopped doing but somehow that couldn't be an option for me. My brother-in-law was at this same wedding and told me how cool it was that I was doing this. This was confirmation and encouragement for me to keep on going strong.
It started coming to a point where this was a part of my FAMILY's routine. Dennis would ask me, "You have any birthday wishes today?" Or, "How many wishes do you have today?" It was something I couldn't not do even if I wanted to. There were times Dennis would come home from work and I'd be at my computer trying to concentrate on a birthday wish and he would be chatting away and then catch himself and apologize because he knew how important it was for me to get it just right.
Now, truth be told, there was a moment when I wanted to go through my friend's list to see who I didn't know all that well or who didn't communicate with me so that maybe I can just de-friend that person before his/her birthday came. OR if a friend request came along, maybe I could check their profile to see if they had a birthday yet and not accept until AFTER their birthday. (I actually did check the friend requests and more often than not their darn birthdays still had yet to arrive but I accepted them anyway. GRRRRRR!) There was no way I could've done that. I would've had guilt anyway.
So, I have these friends who motivated me to keep going in another 'sick' way....."I can't wait for my birthday! I look forward to your wish!" "I'm only staying on Facebook for your birthday wish." No pressure there! Lol! In all honesty that was motivation for me to keep going and to do this to the best of my ability.
Such a challenge. A bigger challenge than I originally thought it would be. The reward was so worth it though. I stalked your pages, your pics, my yearbook, your friends' comments. I even inboxed a friend now and then to remind me about you. It made me more aware of every single one your posts, your interests, your trials, your accomplishments. Hello, there must be some sort of reason you're my friend! You matter and not just on your birthday. The birthday wish was just a reminder on your special day that you do matter.
I have some pretty interesting, loving, quirky, compassionate, off the wall, talented, caring, gifted, giving, friends who make my life that much better for knowing them. I'm glad I continued on with this challenge. I know I missed at least one birthday and apologize if I missed any others. Know it wasn't on purpose. As for this year's New Year's Resolution, I think it may have something to do with Bible reading and posting Bible verses.
Happy New Year, folks!
I typically don't make resolutions but at the last minute at the end of 2013, I had this "bright" idea of writing every one of my FB friends a special wish on their birthday in 2014 on my wall for my whole friend's list to see. Sounds sweet, right? Just as most people are gung-ho when they first make a resolution, I was too.
I only told Dennis.
I was bound and determined.
The first couple days/weeks were pretty cool. Writing those wishes for the first few people was super fun. I received some precious thank yous from them and just smiled.
Fast forward a couple weeks where the busyness of life is back in full swing; school, lunch monitoring, appointments, errands and, oh, my New Year's Resolution! Check Facebook to see if anyone has a birthday today and sure enough, but, "Oh crap! I don't know this person all that well. We went to school together but we weren't really friends."
So I stalk his/her Facebook page, go dig out my yearbooks, ask Dennis about this person (since we went to the same HS together) just so I can try to remember this particular person and make a sincere wish without pulling hogwash out of my booty. Success, another wish posted!
After about the second month, this commitment started to become habit for me. I would even look ahead a few days to see whose wish was on my agenda so I could think about and plan accordingly when I knew I had a busy day ahead of me.
My whole goal here was to breathe life into my friends. No matter what our differences, what beliefs we shared or disagreed about, no matter what religion, political stance, the idea was to find and share the positives, to share a memory or how this person matters. Some posts were more difficult only because either I didn't know a person too well (some I have never even met in person) OR I knew that person SO well that it was difficult to condense. Many times I had to go on what I've read on Facebook, friends' comments, spouses' comments and so forth. Prayer was my friend. I often asked God to help enlighten me to say the right things. I was really starting to take this resolution to heart more than when I started it. I didn't want to blow smoke up anyone's butt.
March comes along and I'm out of town with my family for the weekend for a wedding. I realize I have a couple birthdays to do which I believe I ended up having to do on my cell.
I think to myself, "I have more than 3/4 of a year to go with this! What was I thinking!?!?" It's not that I didn't want to do it but man, this is a huge commitment I made. I didn't think anyone would really care if I just stopped doing but somehow that couldn't be an option for me. My brother-in-law was at this same wedding and told me how cool it was that I was doing this. This was confirmation and encouragement for me to keep on going strong.
It started coming to a point where this was a part of my FAMILY's routine. Dennis would ask me, "You have any birthday wishes today?" Or, "How many wishes do you have today?" It was something I couldn't not do even if I wanted to. There were times Dennis would come home from work and I'd be at my computer trying to concentrate on a birthday wish and he would be chatting away and then catch himself and apologize because he knew how important it was for me to get it just right.
Now, truth be told, there was a moment when I wanted to go through my friend's list to see who I didn't know all that well or who didn't communicate with me so that maybe I can just de-friend that person before his/her birthday came. OR if a friend request came along, maybe I could check their profile to see if they had a birthday yet and not accept until AFTER their birthday. (I actually did check the friend requests and more often than not their darn birthdays still had yet to arrive but I accepted them anyway. GRRRRRR!) There was no way I could've done that. I would've had guilt anyway.
So, I have these friends who motivated me to keep going in another 'sick' way....."I can't wait for my birthday! I look forward to your wish!" "I'm only staying on Facebook for your birthday wish." No pressure there! Lol! In all honesty that was motivation for me to keep going and to do this to the best of my ability.
Such a challenge. A bigger challenge than I originally thought it would be. The reward was so worth it though. I stalked your pages, your pics, my yearbook, your friends' comments. I even inboxed a friend now and then to remind me about you. It made me more aware of every single one your posts, your interests, your trials, your accomplishments. Hello, there must be some sort of reason you're my friend! You matter and not just on your birthday. The birthday wish was just a reminder on your special day that you do matter.
I have some pretty interesting, loving, quirky, compassionate, off the wall, talented, caring, gifted, giving, friends who make my life that much better for knowing them. I'm glad I continued on with this challenge. I know I missed at least one birthday and apologize if I missed any others. Know it wasn't on purpose. As for this year's New Year's Resolution, I think it may have something to do with Bible reading and posting Bible verses.
Happy New Year, folks!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Small Gestures, Big Blessings
These past couple months I have tried to faithfully honor each of my Facebook friends on their birthday by recognizing them on my own wall about how I know them. My goal is to talk about their positive traits, and what they mean to me. This started out as something I wanted to do for THEM but being almost a quarter into the year, I have found that this has become so much more of a blessing for me. Reflecting back on each and every friend thus far I am realizing just how important every action, word, or deed, no matter how big or small, from someone can impact a person's life. Some friends on Facebook are more of acquaintances. Others are friends from childhood or friends of friends. Some are family members and others are really close friends. I just recently wished two of my friends birthday wishes whose simple acts of kindness after I came home from the hospital from having my mastectomy back in '09' are etched in my heart and memory forever. Other friends' examples of strength, honesty, kindness, grace, and compassion have forever helped me want to be better in those areas of my life.
Just within the last hour of me writing this post, I was reminded once again the power of a simple gesture. A couple years ago I was informed of an acquaintance being diagnosed with breast cancer. A friend told me about this person and thought she could benefit from me going to see her, talk to her, share my story (my original blog.) Sometimes being called on like this is so very out of our comfort zone that we might talk ourselves out of doing what it is God is calling us to do. It was easy for me to talk about our story with those whom I knew and on social media (Facebook) but to go talk to someone who I didn't know was definitely an uncomfortable situation for me but after some prayer and asking God for His will I knew I just had to do it. So I did. I printed up my story, drove to her house, knocked on her door, reintroduced myself, and tried to keep things simple and to the point when explaining why I was there. I briefly told her my story and handed her my original blog to read at her leisure but then proceeded to listen to HER initial story of diagnosis. Afterward I gave her a hug, told her I would pray for her and gave her my phone number in case she ever needed anything. A few months had gone by and I didn't hear anything about how things were going. I sent her a card and just continued to pray for her and her family and that all was going well with her and her treatment. Well. Lo and behold, out of the blue Den ran into her husband and one of the first things he said to Dennis was, "Please give your wife a hug of thanks. She was a godsend when we were going through this."
Words, acts of kindness, good deeds.....you just never know how big such small gestures mean to someone else. Sometimes you may do something out of the kindness of your heart and immediately you are thanked. Other times you do it and it comes back to you years later of how grateful someone was. It may be that in your life on earth you will never get reassurance of how your act of kindness affected someone but that shouldn't matter. You need to know your Father in heaven sees. Our goal should be to step out and do. Don't miss out on an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life. Send that card, make that dinner for someone, buy those groceries for someone in need or visit an acquaintance who received some disturbing news. It really, REALLY makes a difference in someone's life.
Just within the last hour of me writing this post, I was reminded once again the power of a simple gesture. A couple years ago I was informed of an acquaintance being diagnosed with breast cancer. A friend told me about this person and thought she could benefit from me going to see her, talk to her, share my story (my original blog.) Sometimes being called on like this is so very out of our comfort zone that we might talk ourselves out of doing what it is God is calling us to do. It was easy for me to talk about our story with those whom I knew and on social media (Facebook) but to go talk to someone who I didn't know was definitely an uncomfortable situation for me but after some prayer and asking God for His will I knew I just had to do it. So I did. I printed up my story, drove to her house, knocked on her door, reintroduced myself, and tried to keep things simple and to the point when explaining why I was there. I briefly told her my story and handed her my original blog to read at her leisure but then proceeded to listen to HER initial story of diagnosis. Afterward I gave her a hug, told her I would pray for her and gave her my phone number in case she ever needed anything. A few months had gone by and I didn't hear anything about how things were going. I sent her a card and just continued to pray for her and her family and that all was going well with her and her treatment. Well. Lo and behold, out of the blue Den ran into her husband and one of the first things he said to Dennis was, "Please give your wife a hug of thanks. She was a godsend when we were going through this."
Words, acts of kindness, good deeds.....you just never know how big such small gestures mean to someone else. Sometimes you may do something out of the kindness of your heart and immediately you are thanked. Other times you do it and it comes back to you years later of how grateful someone was. It may be that in your life on earth you will never get reassurance of how your act of kindness affected someone but that shouldn't matter. You need to know your Father in heaven sees. Our goal should be to step out and do. Don't miss out on an opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life. Send that card, make that dinner for someone, buy those groceries for someone in need or visit an acquaintance who received some disturbing news. It really, REALLY makes a difference in someone's life.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
In the Homestretch
Here it is, I am in the homestretch!
I had three follow up appointments this past month that relate to my breast cancer which had been diagnosed back in May of 2009. I saw my breast cancer surgeon, had my mammogram, and had an oncologist appointment.
Quick recap: May '09' I had my very first mammogram which came back questionable. Second mammo resulted in a biopsy, biopsy resulted in probable diagnosis of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ.) This led to an invitation to research three different surgeons who would most likely be performing surgery on me. Den and I quickly, through prayer and process of elimination, picked a surgeon. We visited this surgeon and she confirmed DCIS, gave us our options (I say 'our' because this wasn't just going to affect me. It would affect Dennis as well.) Xrays and MRI results came back and although DCIS isn't an aggressive cancer (it's basically a contained cancer to where a lumpectomy or mastectomy would probably get rid of it) we decided on mastectomy. We met with the plastic surgeon who would create a new breast for me and upgrade the other. Unfortunately this appointment was on the Saturday my son pitched his last game as a senior in HS. I still feel bad about missing that. (I inserted this fact here because I failed to mention it in my original blog.) A couple days later my surgery was schedule for Tuesday, June 9. Crazily, all these events took place within a month. On June 9, 2009, all the cancer had been removed along with my entire left breast and a few lymph nodes. Praise God no cancer had gotten through the lymph nodes so in essence, cancer free! It sounds like such a sweet ending to an eventful month, (see entire chapter in detail here http://www.teresa-solodon.blogspot.com/2009/10/chapter-of-teresas-story.html) but life isn't always that easy.
To look back now and see how far I've come can only be a testament to God. Den and I tried to keep the best possible attitude through the months/years that followed. There were indeed times I just cried. I was torn about the emotions I felt. I lost a breast and can visually remember the moment Dennis and I were home from the surgery and I was about to remove the bandage to see for the first time what was left behind. I remember looking in the mirror, nervous, as we pulled the bandage away and said, after taking a big breath, "Okay. It doesn't look that bad." My plastic surgeon had already inserted an expander, a balloon type pouch injected with fluid which would, through the next 4 months, help stretch my skin and muscle. Fluid would be added monthly to stretch it some more. Eventually the expander would be removed to make a home to my new breast. I already had some fluid in this expander when I came home so it just looked like a little boob. All I could do was stare for a few moments. I had monthly appointments and saw the oncologist every few months. No big deal but at the same time, a big deal. Cancer is gone but here I am, months later still dealing with the residual of what that first mammogram found. I was lopsided for a time leading up to my reconstruction surgery but trying to keep that positive attitude going, we still took our beach vacation and I was still determined to sport my bikini, lopsidedness and all. Later that year I had the reconstruction surgery. I still had
restrictions, still needed two more simple procedures, nipple reconstruction and an appointment to get my first tattoo, an aerola. (Yes, that is how they make it.) If I remember correctly, my procedures weren't all completed until almost a year after my mastectomy.
I was thrilled when I could finally begin to work out again! My mastectomy immediately took away the cancer but it also took away a good year of my life of doing what I thoroughly missed which was working out daily. Yes, a small price to pay but such a nuisance in my mind. Again, emotions running wild. Being grateful cancer didn't exist anymore yet irritated it took something important away from me. As whacked as it sounds, I really did have the best possible breast cancer one could get. As my surgeon told me, it is the least aggressive with a very aggressive treatment.
Time went by, I got stronger.
My workouts got more intense.
Our eating habits changed to a cleaner diet.
I preached "Mammograms, ladies."
I did a breast cancer walk.
I bought pink ribbon clothing and jewelry.
I prayed for friends and family who would also be diagnosed with breast cancer after me and so on. I see music videos or hear stories about breast cancer fighters and survivors and still to this day get emotional and cry. I write this and cry. Mixed emotions because I have family and friends and acquaintances who had to experience chemo, radiation and even loss of life due to breast cancer. I ponder on these women and begin to look at my situation and think that what I went through is NOTHING compared to what they have had to endure. Emotions. God gave them to us. I still at times do this comparing but then I will remember a comment I read on someone's FB post that read something like this, "We can't compare our trials and hardships we endure to someone else's." My journey is my journey. Yours is yours. God has a plan for all of us. My circumstances may seem so inconceivable for someone else to handle as well as I may look at someone else's life and think, "There's no way I could ever handle what she has to handle." I am still a work in progress when it comes to this way of thinking but I am so thankful I am learning that no matter the issue, big or small, God cares and WANTS me to come to Him to ask for help to guide me. Those few years were definitely a learning experience based on a whole new level. I am grateful to have experienced every one of them.
It is January of 2014. In five months it will be five years since my mastectomy. I will be able to stop taking the preventative meds that give me hot flashes, joint pain, bad hair, etc. Per my oncologist last week, I will NOT have to see her anymore after this July as long as I am seeing my breast cancer surgeon once a year. My mammograms are now just regular yearly screening mammograms, which by the way my most recent results from last week's mammo came back normal! I await my blood work still but anticipate nothing but good results. I will see my plastic surgeon later this year for the first time in about three years. I don't anticipate anything iffy to happen there (he does excellent work by the way.)
All in all my family and I are doing great! I love them more than ever and I love the path God has been leading us down. Breast cancer was just a smidgen of my, our story but it has shaped us a thousand fold for the better.
I had three follow up appointments this past month that relate to my breast cancer which had been diagnosed back in May of 2009. I saw my breast cancer surgeon, had my mammogram, and had an oncologist appointment.
Quick recap: May '09' I had my very first mammogram which came back questionable. Second mammo resulted in a biopsy, biopsy resulted in probable diagnosis of DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ.) This led to an invitation to research three different surgeons who would most likely be performing surgery on me. Den and I quickly, through prayer and process of elimination, picked a surgeon. We visited this surgeon and she confirmed DCIS, gave us our options (I say 'our' because this wasn't just going to affect me. It would affect Dennis as well.) Xrays and MRI results came back and although DCIS isn't an aggressive cancer (it's basically a contained cancer to where a lumpectomy or mastectomy would probably get rid of it) we decided on mastectomy. We met with the plastic surgeon who would create a new breast for me and upgrade the other. Unfortunately this appointment was on the Saturday my son pitched his last game as a senior in HS. I still feel bad about missing that. (I inserted this fact here because I failed to mention it in my original blog.) A couple days later my surgery was schedule for Tuesday, June 9. Crazily, all these events took place within a month. On June 9, 2009, all the cancer had been removed along with my entire left breast and a few lymph nodes. Praise God no cancer had gotten through the lymph nodes so in essence, cancer free! It sounds like such a sweet ending to an eventful month, (see entire chapter in detail here http://www.teresa-solodon.blogspot.com/2009/10/chapter-of-teresas-story.html) but life isn't always that easy. To look back now and see how far I've come can only be a testament to God. Den and I tried to keep the best possible attitude through the months/years that followed. There were indeed times I just cried. I was torn about the emotions I felt. I lost a breast and can visually remember the moment Dennis and I were home from the surgery and I was about to remove the bandage to see for the first time what was left behind. I remember looking in the mirror, nervous, as we pulled the bandage away and said, after taking a big breath, "Okay. It doesn't look that bad." My plastic surgeon had already inserted an expander, a balloon type pouch injected with fluid which would, through the next 4 months, help stretch my skin and muscle. Fluid would be added monthly to stretch it some more. Eventually the expander would be removed to make a home to my new breast. I already had some fluid in this expander when I came home so it just looked like a little boob. All I could do was stare for a few moments. I had monthly appointments and saw the oncologist every few months. No big deal but at the same time, a big deal. Cancer is gone but here I am, months later still dealing with the residual of what that first mammogram found. I was lopsided for a time leading up to my reconstruction surgery but trying to keep that positive attitude going, we still took our beach vacation and I was still determined to sport my bikini, lopsidedness and all. Later that year I had the reconstruction surgery. I still had
restrictions, still needed two more simple procedures, nipple reconstruction and an appointment to get my first tattoo, an aerola. (Yes, that is how they make it.) If I remember correctly, my procedures weren't all completed until almost a year after my mastectomy. I was thrilled when I could finally begin to work out again! My mastectomy immediately took away the cancer but it also took away a good year of my life of doing what I thoroughly missed which was working out daily. Yes, a small price to pay but such a nuisance in my mind. Again, emotions running wild. Being grateful cancer didn't exist anymore yet irritated it took something important away from me. As whacked as it sounds, I really did have the best possible breast cancer one could get. As my surgeon told me, it is the least aggressive with a very aggressive treatment.
Time went by, I got stronger.
My workouts got more intense.
Our eating habits changed to a cleaner diet.
I preached "Mammograms, ladies."
I did a breast cancer walk.
I bought pink ribbon clothing and jewelry.
I prayed for friends and family who would also be diagnosed with breast cancer after me and so on. I see music videos or hear stories about breast cancer fighters and survivors and still to this day get emotional and cry. I write this and cry. Mixed emotions because I have family and friends and acquaintances who had to experience chemo, radiation and even loss of life due to breast cancer. I ponder on these women and begin to look at my situation and think that what I went through is NOTHING compared to what they have had to endure. Emotions. God gave them to us. I still at times do this comparing but then I will remember a comment I read on someone's FB post that read something like this, "We can't compare our trials and hardships we endure to someone else's." My journey is my journey. Yours is yours. God has a plan for all of us. My circumstances may seem so inconceivable for someone else to handle as well as I may look at someone else's life and think, "There's no way I could ever handle what she has to handle." I am still a work in progress when it comes to this way of thinking but I am so thankful I am learning that no matter the issue, big or small, God cares and WANTS me to come to Him to ask for help to guide me. Those few years were definitely a learning experience based on a whole new level. I am grateful to have experienced every one of them.
It is January of 2014. In five months it will be five years since my mastectomy. I will be able to stop taking the preventative meds that give me hot flashes, joint pain, bad hair, etc. Per my oncologist last week, I will NOT have to see her anymore after this July as long as I am seeing my breast cancer surgeon once a year. My mammograms are now just regular yearly screening mammograms, which by the way my most recent results from last week's mammo came back normal! I await my blood work still but anticipate nothing but good results. I will see my plastic surgeon later this year for the first time in about three years. I don't anticipate anything iffy to happen there (he does excellent work by the way.)
All in all my family and I are doing great! I love them more than ever and I love the path God has been leading us down. Breast cancer was just a smidgen of my, our story but it has shaped us a thousand fold for the better.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
A House Divided?
If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. (Mark 3:25.) We need a leader who is going to work diligently to UNITE this country. I don't believe our sitting President has done a good job of this yet (I say yet because I'm an optimist.) If he had, I think he would've won by a LOT more than what he did. But to be fair, even if Romney would have won this election, how sure are we that he would have done any better at uniting America? If you're a Christian, the best thing you/I can do for America to help make it better is fervently pray for our current leader and our other government officials who were elected to work for ALL the American people. Start praying NOW for the right person to be elected in 2016.
I think the next best thing everyone can do to help make America better is be aware of and look for opportunities in your own little world. When you see someone in need of help, HELP THEM whether it's making them a meal or raking their leaves. We don't need to rely on the government for all our needs. If you get a bonus at work, save some but spend some too. It's okay to spend money and get the economy going just watch your budget.
Also, if only THIS would happen....RESPECT one another. There is a reason one believes this or the other believes that. Don't be so pigheaded that you can't even try to understand the one who has opposing views.
Lastly, remember God's timing is perfect. He is still King. He is still the only One who sees everything. If you really want a better life, learn to trust HIM first and all else will seem like it doesn't matter as much. Your worries won't be worries because you know God's got it.
I think the next best thing everyone can do to help make America better is be aware of and look for opportunities in your own little world. When you see someone in need of help, HELP THEM whether it's making them a meal or raking their leaves. We don't need to rely on the government for all our needs. If you get a bonus at work, save some but spend some too. It's okay to spend money and get the economy going just watch your budget.
Also, if only THIS would happen....RESPECT one another. There is a reason one believes this or the other believes that. Don't be so pigheaded that you can't even try to understand the one who has opposing views.
Lastly, remember God's timing is perfect. He is still King. He is still the only One who sees everything. If you really want a better life, learn to trust HIM first and all else will seem like it doesn't matter as much. Your worries won't be worries because you know God's got it.
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