Right before we left for Florida, Sarah had an appointment with our family doctor. When she came home she told me two rather alarming things:
The first was that the doctor decided to do an EKG because when she checked Sarah’s heart, it didn’t sound right to her. One of the long-term side effects of chemo is heart damage so I’m glad the doctor is keeping an eye on things. Sarah said the EKG result was “normalish” which I’m assuming means it was on the high end of normal.
And then, during her breast exam, the doctor found a mass in Sarah’s left breast; she immediately scheduled an ultrasound to check it and see if a biopsy would be necessary.
If you’ve been reading here awhile, you probably remember that two years ago, we went through a huge amount of trauma (once again, right at Christmastime) when Sarah had suspicious spots in both breasts. She had an ultrasound and tear-producing biopsy and we ended up having to wait almost two weeks for results. (Which thankfully, were benign.)
When Sarah told me what was going on, all I could think of was what we had faced before. All I could think was, “Oh, no. Not again.”
Since we were about to leave town, the ultrasound wasn’t scheduled till after Christmas. The subject was very much on our minds during the days we were traveling and spending time with family.
Yesterday afternoon, the appointment finally arrived. Sarah and I headed out to Greenville for the ultrasound, back to the place where I had the biopsy that revealed my cancer and where Sarah had had her traumatic biopsy.
Sarah got herself checked in without any assistance from me . . .
and then disappeared beyond what I sometimes think of as “the scary doors.”
After an hour had passed, I started to worry a little because, as a rule, an ultrasound doesn’t take an hour.
But when she came out into the waiting room, one glimpse of her lovely face–coupled with a victorious thumbs up– told me all I needed to know. Not only did we not have to wait for the results of the ultrasound, and not only did she not need a biopsy but she had been told immediately by the radiologist that the mass looked benign. And this morning, her local doctor called just to confirm we had gotten the news; I guess she was wanting to be sure there was no repeat of our experience two years ago.
(Sarah will have to go back in six months for a follow-up ultrasound, just to be sure nothing has changed.)
As you can imagine, there was a celebratory Smith Women Hug before we headed out the door for dinner at Chick-fil-A. Sarah had been up since before five, had worked seven hours, and had just traveled 2 1/2 hours to a scary appointment with 2 1/2 more hours to go before she could go to bed. (And then get up at 4:00 this morning to head back to work.)
It made my mama heart so happy to be able to hug her, to feed her, and to ferry her back home. The two of us were ensconced in our car, with the night gathered around us, talking and laughing and in the occasional silences, sharing the simple thanksgivings of being two Smith women with no cancer worries on our immediate horizons,
Joy, joy, joy . . . in our world.
Glad everything turned out well! Sorry that it had to be on your minds during the holiday/family time.
Kari,
Yes, the waiting part of that kind of situation is never easy. So thankful it all worked out!
Yay !!! Phew. Yay !!
Btw did the issue with Sarah s weight go away ?
An early happy new year to you all the Smiths
Katrina,
Yes, Sarah’s weight issue did resolve itself. She gained back that weight she mysteriously lost and has maintained it for about 6 months now. Thankful that that is no longer a concern!
There are times I’m not crazy about the first posting which gives a hint of what to see/hear when you click on “to post” (or something like that) because it ended at “it didn’t sound right to her.” Oh no, click fast – read fast, whew, know I know the rest of the story. Praise the Lord for a good report!
Sharyn,
Thankful for “fast clicking,” right? 🙂
What fantastic news!!! I’m so glad to hear this! So glad that Sarah can focus on being a regular college student and not cancer. Actually, there is nothing regular about Sarah- she is superbly above regular! Celebrating with you all from Canada on your happy news!
Jenna,
I am grateful too, that Sarah, can continue to concentrate on college life as a young adult without the cancer worries. Good, good news!
So glad to hear all is well and that you didn’t have the added anxiety of having to wait for the results. God certainly must have special plans for Sarah. Love to all of you!
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Yes, it is the waiting that gets to be so stressful. Thankful for immediate news and immediate GOOD news, at that!
Ann exploded with joy when she read the good news!! It is the greatest gift here on earth available!
Jim,
Thanks to you and Ann for being so happy with us–you are both so special to us!
Glad that the results were good!
Thank you, Phyllis. Glad right along with you.
Hallelujah that all is well with her results.
Wendy,
Hallelujah-ing with you!
Thanksgiving and joy. With innumerable exclamation points. Here’s the first one: ! 🙂
Love, Deb
Deb,
It was nice to have an explanation point kind of day. (!) 🙂
Oh my gosh, so anxiety provoking. I hate when it steals from the holiday gathering as it lurks in the background, waiting. But, it’s all good news. What a relief. So happy for Sarah. Happy New Year to all of you!!
Lesley,
“Lurk” is a good word to use for that kind of worry–always, always there even though not always in the foreground.
We will have a happy new year, indeed!
Have felt that fear over breast lumps and read with caution. Hallelujah & Hallelujah! Happy dancing!
Guerrina,
I know that people like you who have experienced breast lump anxiety can especially relate to this story. Thankful that the story had a happy ending!
I was afraid to even read this, but went with it. Felt your fear through my own momma’s heart and prayed instantly as I read and digested the words. Praise God. Thank you Jesus! Please continue to protect them from this ugly disease. Keep them strong and brave and help us to be strong and brave along with them as women of faith in a mighty God!! Bless you and Sarah, Becky. I love you.
Melanie,
Thank you for caring and praying and rejoicing and sending your love to the Rejoicing Smiths. Love right back to you and your family. 🙂
So thankful and happy with the results. God is so good. Prayers for all. ?❤️???
Ann,
Thankful and happy–pretty much sums it up! 🙂
soooo thankful for the positive results. I was ‘nervousing’ over reading your whole account
Mrs. Pam,
Love the word “nervousing.” I have nervoused many times before but didn’t know what to call it. 🙂
God’s got your sweet girl firmly in his grip! awesome results
Becky,
In His grip is a great place to be!
Startling but great news!! SO very, VERY glad all is well in Smithland! 🙂
LeeAnne,
I’m thakful for the news and EXTRA thankful that we got it so quickly!
Phew!
Steve,
Phew, indeed!
Hahaha! For some reason my comment is under the hubbys account. No idea why. I’m on MY phone oh well.
Buff,
No worries. Whenever I see your husband’s face pop up, I will just tell my mind to automatically insert YOUR face instead. 🙂 Thanks for being thankful with us!
Oh my goodness. Thankful for the good news.
Buff
Oh my!! So glad it’s all good and clear!! God is good ALL the time! And all the time God is good!! Amen!! Have a very HAPPY New Year!!
Catherine,
Good and clear is definitely good! Thanks for being happy with us.