faith
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The "There's no cause for alarm" letter
Friday, May 13, 2011
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| photo by estherase | via PhotoRee |
After Monday's mammogram I got a call-back I didn't want, in the form of a letter in the mail. "There is no cause for alarm; however..."
Okay, instant alarm. Never, ever, tell a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist there is no cause for alarm, because that automatically sets off every alarm I have. (Funny, all those alarms in the picture look like breasts, don't they?)
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| photo by Leo Reynolds | via PhotoRee |
Long story short: I have an appointment on Monday at the "big" hospital for further tests. Apparently, my boobs aren't any more photogenic than the rest of me. The girls' portraits were "unclear," and one revealed a "nodule."
As a woman, in today's age of hyper-awareness of breast cancer, one's reaction to that news falls somewhere between "oh, crap" and sheer terror. Coupled with the financial pressure of not having health insurance ... double crap.
I won't know anything more in the natural until Monday, but one thing I do know: God is still God. He's still my Savior, my Redeemer, my Provider, and my Lord. And that will be as true on Monday evening as it is right now.
In the meantime, I'm just going to sing this song and focus on living in the NOW. Hey, isn't that what I should be doing anyway? All the time?
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4 Comments
I had an irregular pap just after I had Ashlynn. In hind sight I should have followed my gut and not had it done until I was all healed up from giving birth. I got a call back with scary lab results and biopies. All to say my cervix was swollen - hey, probably because I just had a baby!! Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteOh, my dear, sweeet Niki: I had this same thing happen to me just this week. I had a regular mammo on Tuesday, then they called Wednesday to say they found a suspicious spot. Over the next 48 hours I prayed, had a dozen others pray, and repented of every sin I knew and didn't know! I also put my holy hands on my holy hips and told my heart to stop it's troubled thoughts. And I pled my case with God, "My husband cannot keep preaching without me, Lord. So please let this not be cancer, or a lot of your sheep are gonna suffer." It might sound arrogant, but I used that verse in Isaiah that says, "Come, let us reason together." I flat out refused to give the devil the satisfaction of seeing me cry or fear, even though my thoughts were doing the merry-go-round of what ifs.
ReplyDeleteThe spots turned out to be only some fibrous tissue, but I had a wonderful time witnessing to the nurses. Even emailed the mammo nurse two of my articles! I am so thankful to the Lord for His graciousness. I pray the same grace upon you, my dear. He will carry you through this.
Please let us know how it turns out.
Love
Jen
@Heather I had no idea! Women's health care is frustrating. Glad you are well.
ReplyDelete@Jeanette Levellie That is just the strangest coincidence! Like a carpet bomb attack... Thank you for sharing your testimony, it builds my faith!
ReplyDeleteI'm trusting in His unconditional love and mercy, and that today's tests will simply verify the truth that He is my healer, and He is faithful, and the devil was defeated and exposed as a liar 2000 years ago at Calvary!
God bless you, my dear, and thank you for your encouragement and sweet spirit!