Saturday, August 6, 2022

A Fresh Look, a New Subscription Link, and Thanks

Greetings! Feedburner finally stopped sending emails, so if you want to subscribe via email to Simplicity by Lateblossom, click the follow.it link at the top of the sidebar! 

And since you are here on the blog, you'll notice that I've freshened up the design. I hope you like the simplicity of it!

Today's card was made to thank a friend who's being extra supportive of me right now. You see, she had breast cancer last year and went through that terrible rollercoaster of fear, hope, pain, surgery, treatment, and long-term healing. Cancer sucks. 

I made this card to thank her for her support of me because two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself. 

Hero Arts butterfly and dies, StampinUp embossing
folder, Copic markers


My provisional diagnosis is invasive ductal carcinoma, no specific type, grade 1, stage 1. So it's early. I found the lump when rolling over in bed. My thumb grazed the spot, and I thought, "Hmm. That was weird." I felt the site thoroughly and knew it was bad. I got an appointment, where the nurse practitioner said, "Wow! It just jumps right out at you, doesn't it?" Yep. She ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The radiologist found the lump "very concerning" and ordered a biopsy, which came back positive for hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. 

Check your boobs, ladies. 

I'd planned on getting a mammogram that month anyway, as I was due for it. Nothing shows on last year's mammogram, and the biomarker testing indicates it's not a particularly aggressive cancer. I'm feeling rather lucky in that. 

So August is filling up with appointments and will end with a lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node removal on the 30th. After the pathology report comes back on the lump and nodes, we will decide treatment. 

Any of you who've been where I am now (and surely there are plenty of you!) know how scary and overwhelming this is. My plans for this fall for refreshment and focus on creativity have been derailed. I'm angry about that. I'm angry at my boobs for betraying me because I've taken very good care of them over the years. I'm angry that so many people I love are affected by this and are scared for me, too. I'm angry about becoming a statistic. 

But I'm also grateful--deep in my bones and radiating out of my heart grateful--for women's health nurse practitioners, radiology technicians, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, and my psychologist. I'm grateful for family and friends who have prayed for and supported me in this unexpected challenge. I'm grateful we caught this early and the prognosis is good. I'm grateful I've spent the last year of my life getting fit and losing weight and focusing on my mental health. I'm grateful for my faith in a loving and healing God. 

And I'm grateful for you for sharing my love of simplicity and stamping and laughter. So of course I have a funny story about this experience. 

My darling husband went with me to the surgery consult on Monday. When the surgeon told us about his post-op infection rate, he said, "I've only had one post-op infection, and that patient was clearing her drain with a rusty screwdriver." WHAT!!!! After the gasps of horror, George said, "So what you're saying is we clear the drain with a CLEAN screwdriver. Got it." 

The surgeon, without missing a beat, said, "Dip in in alcohol, light it on fire, and you're good to go!"  

It was awesome! 

Mercy, grace, peace, and love,

Susan

11 comments:

  1. 100% positive vibes for a complete removal and easiest possible recovery. Hoping your sons and husband are ok too!!

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    1. Thanks, Joan. Cancer does affect the whole family. I hate that.

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  2. Prayers for a easy and complete recovery.

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  3. You Got This! Sending good thoughts your way :)

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  4. I am so sorry to hear that you are facing all of this, Susan! I have been on a similar ride with being diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer in 2017 and a recurrence in fall 2019. I'm almost 3 years since that second (now stage 4) diagnosis and living life and thankful. I am glad you have a friend who "gets it"... I found that very important. Thank you for sharing your story because it's an important one!

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    1. Nancy, thank you and bless you in your own battle with this!

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  5. Congratulations on finding your own lump AND acting on it! You're way ahead of so many others... Sending you hope and peace as you traverse the medical hurdles in front of you. You are lucky to have a supportive (& humorous) husband and family!!

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  6. Your write as if your words are a prayer from my heart of gratitude. Much thankfulness in me as you walk this journey. I check when the phone bill comes. Long, long ago a doctor suggested that day of the month as he was certain the phone company would always remember to send me a bill and they do! The card is lovely!

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  7. Dear Susan: Your posts ALWAYS uplift me with their honesty and humbleness. I just finished radiation for the same type of cancer and it is quite a ride. I am also in deep gratitude. And of course, your wonderful cards and design musings make my day! You are strong. xoxo

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment!