Another unexpected bump in the road

My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer on Friday.

I was shocked when she called me at work to give me the news. I knew she had a biopsy earlier in the week, and I knew she would get the results on Friday. I felt sure it would be a good report. Surely the doctor just wanted to be extra cautious because of our mom's history; surely it would turn out benign.

But it wasn't.

The news hit me hard. When my mom was diagnosed this summer, I had so much other stuff going on. My mind was full with the details of a new job, moving, and increased busyness for Mike at his job. I didn't have time to stop and let it sink in.

All of those pent up emotions, along with the emotion of the new diagnosis, came rushing out on Friday after I talked to Monica.

I'm so blessed to work in a Christian environment. Jaimee (my boss) took time to listen to me blabber on for a while, then prayed with me. I emailed two of my dear friends on campus (I work at a college) to tell them, and they surprised me by making the trek all the way down to my office to give me a hug and pray for me.

I had a little meltdown when I picked Kaitlyn up at the sitter's house. She was being so very, terribly two (Kaitlyn, not the sitter, in case you were confused) and I was at a complete loss for how to respond. She was pushing limits she's never pushed while at Meagan's house (at least while I'm there) and I just stood there thinking, I know I should do something, but I just don't have a clue how to wear the mom hat right now.

So, I burst into tears.

But then things got a little better. By the time we got home, Kaitlyn was asleep. I sat on the couch and held her, and it gave me a much needed quiet moment for myself. Mike stopped and picked up Chinese take-out for dinner. Yum!

I also got to talk with Monica and get the details of her late afternoon doctor's appointment. Her treatment options sound very good. She caught it early, and the doctor expects that she will beat this and have a long life ahead of her.

The doctors handling her treatment are the same doctors who have handled my mom's treatment, which is a blessing. They are wonderful doctors and Monica has already talked with them several times regarding my mom, so she already knows them, is comfortable with them, and knows that she is in good hands.

She will have surgery before Christmas to have the tumor removed, and then she will have chemo and possibly radiation.

She has a very positive outlook about the whole thing - in fact, she is going to blog about her journey. You can read her thoughts here.

Please keep us all in your prayers. I have a lot more in my heart that I want to share, but right now I feel at loss for how to share it.

I'll close with a song that we sang today at church - it hit me in a whole new way.