The Best Mother's Day Ever!!

I know Mother's Day is not quite here yet, but it already has been the BEST MOTHER'S DAY EVER!! You see over the past few months we have been faced with many decisions and a lot of uncertainty. In December of last year, I went to my gynecologist for a routine pap smear and it showed abnormal cells. No big deal it happens to women all of the time, so I go back in 3 months to have another pap smear. In March, another abnormal pap smear only this time same cells and new abnormal cells are present. More testing and biopsies need to be done. The doctor called me on March 7th, to let me know the biopsies show cancer cells on my cervix and that an appointment with an oncologist needs to be made. My appointment was made to see an gynecologic oncologist to discuss these results and my options. There is nothing in this world worse than sitting across from a physician and having him look at you squarely in the eyes and say to you "You have Cancer, you have cervical cancer". My thoughts were.... What?? What did you just say? No, I can't have cancer these are the patients I work with... I have small children that I need to be here for, to raise. But why CAN'T I have cancer, why NOT me? Why everybody else and not me? Okay process this news. It is devastating you think the absolute worst case scenario. I have seen the worst case scenario, and even the best case scenarios seem to at some point turn into the worst case scenario. I just lost a coworker, she is a mother and friend she just died after a long battle with breast cancer. This is just too real and is hitting entirely too close to home. The thoughts and feelings one goes through are just unreal. The cancer has been caught in the early stages, and the doctor recommends a hysterectomy. After much prayer and fasting and pondering and researching and speaking to other women that have had this surgery for similar reasons as mine, I had resolved to speak with the oncologist one more time prior to the scheduled surgery.
One month is a long time to have to process the overwhelming amount of information that is available regarding cancer. I had a long list of questions, and after two questions I had received answers to all of the questions I had. A huge burden had been literally lifted from my shoulders and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this was the right surgery, the right surgeon and I felt a sense of peace I have not felt in a long time. Interestingly enough the morning of all of this I had read the scripture St. J0hn chapter 14. The whole chapter spoke volumes to me that day, but especially 14:27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
I knew that God heard my prayers and I knew that come what may everything would be alright. I had surgery on April 22, 2011 Good Friday, a hysterectomy done with the DaVinci method, a robotic surgery. The recovery has been smooth, I have 5 small incisions. Three of which were already there from a previous gall bladder surgery, they are all healed up. They did remove 16 lymph nodes from my groin to be sure it had not spread to my lymphatic system. I feel great, the first four days were brutal with pain in my shoulders, otherwise everything else was great.
May 5, I had my follow up appointment, it has been 13 days since surgery, and the lymph nodes and all other pathology are CLEAR!!! I have learned that this is something major to celebrate, and that every pap smear that I have that is clear will be reason to celebrate. Life is so much sweeter and all too often taken for granted. Not any more. I have so much to be thankful for, and most of all more time to spend with my amazing and wonderful supportive husband and for my three beautiful, precious and amazing children. I am so blessed.
God is so good, he hears and answers prayers and he knows our needs and he has a plan for us. He has big things planned for me, and for all of us.
So CHEERS to the Best Mother's Day Ever!! May all of you have a wonderful Mother's Day and take time to soak in all of the precious moments you can. Thank you to all of my dear friends that are not mothers for the support, and love you provide me and my family.
And ladies from a friend to a friend Get your PAP SMEARS!!