MY SURGERIES
THE CANCEROUS LUMP AND 4 MAIN LYMPH NODES REMOVED
On January 19th, 2001, I had the cancerous lump removed. Since the tumor had grown into the nipple, the nipple also had to be removed along with half of the breast tissue. Better to be safe than sorry, looking on the bright side. On that same day, 4 of the main lymph nodes had to be removed from underneath the arm. Since they looked as if they were non-cancerous, no more were taken that day. I was able to go back to work in 6 days, after that surgery. I was surprised to find that I wasn't in pain and wasn't extremely sore, from the surgery! Amazing! The LORD really kept me strong throughout the entire year and kept me going! How I thank HIM for being right there with me!
REMOVAL OF 13 MORE LYMPH NODES
When the results came back from the 4 removed main lymph nodes, 1 was found to have a very slight amount of cancer in it. Therefore, another operation to remove more lymph nodes had to be scheduled 2 and a half weeks later, on February 5th, 2001. By doing this, it would tell us if the cancer had spread into more of the lymph nodes. So on that day, 13 more lymph nodes were removed. They were tested and thanks be to the good LORD ALMIGHTY, none of them were cancerous. I was back to work after that surgery in just 5 days, PRAISE and THANKS be to GOD!
PORT-A-CATH IMPLANTED
Also on February 5th, 2001, since I knew I would have to undergo chemotherapy, I ask the surgeon if he could put in a port-a-cath, so as to protect my veins from having to be stuck with IV needles. So he put it underneath the skin above my left breast. It was very small, about the size of a quarter and I only felt a slight lump under the skin. It made getting the chemo treatments so much easier and painless.
REMOVAL OF THE PORT-A-CATH
On December 3rd, 2001, I ask to have the port-a-cath removed, not because it bothered me, because it did not, but because I felt that GOD had healed me and I wouldn't be needing it any longer. Normally the surgeons like to wait 6 months, after finishing chemotherapy, to make sure that the cancer doesn't come back quickly, before removing it. But my breast surgeon agreed to remove it in his office. The procedure was totally painless, except for the "bare" stinging of the numbing needle. I only had 3 stitches, which were removed in one week. GOD was with me through everything I had to go through and HE brought me through it all with such ease! I can never thank HIM enough for all HE has done for me!
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Finally, on December 28, 2001, I underwent reconstructive surgery. The plastic surgeon cut skin from my bikini line and created a nipple out of it. He also reduced my left breast and lifted it up, so as to match the right side. Within 5 days, almost all of the stitches were removed and on the 11th day, all of the remaining stitches were removed. I had just a bare amount of soreness, but nothing that I couldn't handle, with GOD'S help! I returned back to work in 1 week. Again, thanks and praise be to FATHER GOD for seeing me through my ordeal and being with me all the way!
