My Journey with Breast Cancer

I am sure we have all known women who have had breast cancer. My grandma had breast cancer when I was in sixth grade, and then had a recurrence about fifteen years later.

About four months ago, I found a lump in my breast. I didn't think much of it because I was thirty-two, but I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer at thirty-five. I finally decided I should get it checked out, so two months later, while in Hawaii, I called and told my OB Office that I found a lump. That is a really quick way to get an appointment by the way.

I felt at peace until the day of my appointment. I started to panic and was irritable. I was expecting that my OB would be able to tell me that day that the lump was not a problem. He didn't. He felt I should get it checked out with a mammogram and an ultrasound.

I felt a lot of different emotions, but I decided that I wasn't going to panic. I am confident that God will take care of me. It may be a little dramatic, but I have thought through what if I die. What will happen to my husband, children, parents and other loved ones. The final conclusion is still the same. God will take care of them. He can do it so much better than I can. I would like to live and be a part of my children's lives for sure, but I came to a peace about it as much as I can not knowing or having it be an absolute diagnosis.

Enter my mammogram and ultrasound appointment. Again, I expected to go there and have them tell me that this lump was nothing. The Tech told me that it would be a couple of days before the results would be forwarded to my doctor's office. Ok. Imagine my surprise when my doctor's nurse called the same day to tell me that the lump was suspicious and I was being scheduled to see a specialist.  It seems like a bad sign when the medical side is working so quickly :)

On three separate occasions while I was calling to make appointments I would be placed on hold. Each time the song, "Hey, Jude", would either already be playing or come one while I was on hold. Not only do I have a sweet little boy Jude (although I wasn't really aware of the song before I named him), but also the lyrics basically say that everything will be ok. I started crying the third time. I assume they have more that one song that they play while you are on hold, and it just seemed like a little reassurance from God.

I have seen my specialist, but still do not have any conclusive information. She has referred me to have a biopsy. So, I was still in a waiting pattern.

Today, I had a biopsy where the Doctor removed four tissue samples from the lump.  I will know in about a week if I have breast cancer or not.

If you need encouragement for something that is uncertain in your life, here are some verses from

Philippians Chapter 4

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Allow God's peace to cover you. When you are tempted to think about things that are not in the list above, read these verses!! I encourage you to memorize these. You will not regret it!!

~Julia