Aaaaaaand exhale!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the first time since around 5:30 PM on January 10, I can breathe a lot easier. That was the moment that I heard a voice mail telling me to come back for a repeat of a test, Believe me, it is not the kind of call you ever want to get, and especially given some things I know.

You never want to get the call that says, "It's about your mammogram...." There's much more to the story but let's sum up: (1) went for a 2nd imaging (2) which led to an ultrasound (3) which led to a biopsy (4) that never took place .... because they couldn't find the area again! (5) So I called my primary care to let her know my joy to hear her say (6) "Not so fast, my friend!" (7) Then came a second opinion, (8) which led to an MRI, (9) but OOPS! We miscounted so let's reschedule.... (10) and FINALLY, the MRI was done over the weekend.

I highly recommend doing an MRI very early in the morning or as late as possible after you have worked a full day doing heavy physical labor..... when you're so tired you just don't care to move! Seriously, I cannot thank the wonderful MRI staff at St. Francis Eastside enough, as well as the awesome folks at the Pearlie Harris Center (also at St. Francis Eastside). They are all simply beyond phenomenal. I also have high regard for Dr. Young at Carolina Surgical Associates, who was the second opinion and ordered the MRI.

Today was my follow-up with Dr. Young.

I have the all-clear, at least as far as breast cancer. I do have one cyst that I need to address with my primary care doc, but Dr. Young assured me that it's benign. And nowhere near the breasts.


For all my regular friends and readers, you know that breast cancer is an issue near and dear to my heart. I am proud and thrilled to be the niece of a survivor, and saddened at the number of friends I have lost to the disease. Yes, I'm only 42 years old and I have lost 4 friends to the disease, all under age 50 and two in their 30s. It's part of why Race for the Cure has been very important to me over the last few years.

I have never felt as blessed, as lucky, as I do right now! And I have all my friends to thank. I asked for prayers, begged for good juju, awesome vibes, whatever positive energies they could spare.... to toss up prayers or whatever to God/Fate/The Universe, however they perceive their Higher Power. I had churches of all manner praying for me.

And it worked. Of this, I have no doubt.

And I feel so loved that it is humbling. Truly. To think that so many people could care and would take the time to think of me, or add me to a prayer list..... I'm verklempt.

I love each of you.