Wow! I was so touched and blessed (there’s that word again) by all of the texts, messages and phone calls I received after my first blog.

I actually thought for a minute I was at my own funeral. Thank you all so much for your prayers and kind words. It makes this journey so much easier knowing I have so much support and prayers.

Another thing that probably shocked me more than anything were all of the women in Seymour who reached out to me who have had breast cancer, lumpectomies and mastectomies. And I had no idea. It’s crazy to me that this disease is that prevalent. Why? Why are we all getting this and no one is talking about it?

I’m not saying anyone is wrong not to share, as it is very private to some because it was to me in the beginning. It also makes me question all of the procedures. But those women who reached out to me will never know what that meant to me and the instant peace I received because they did. So thank you, ladies. You are now all on my prayer list.

Switzerland for 10 days was the best thing I could have done for myself and for my family. It gave me time to really seek the Lord and not only rest in him but accept what was to come. And that peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) came each and every day, so I knew he was with me. And I knew you all were praying for me. I felt an army of prayers. So again, thank you.

On March 26, I had my genetic testing done. They will be checking 55 genes. It isn’t mandatory but something I wanted to do for my children and grandchildren to see if I have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. They tested other genes, but it’s all a little over my head. What it means for my children is they will be better informed how to take precaution and early detection of breast cancer in their lives.

Then I was off for my MRI. If you’ve never had an MRI, you get earplugs and you are moved into this capsule-like machine. They have you put on these big baggy shorts and a gown, as some materials must have something in them that could interfere with the machine. They also give you an IV so they can shoot this dye (Gadavist) in you. The dye allows the radiologist to more accurately see where the disease is and if it has moved out of my milk ducts.

I was probably 30 minutes into the MRI when she said I had 12 minutes left and she was putting the dye in. I instantly felt just a very little metal taste in my mouth and very small sensation where it was going in. Nothing else. I had to lie on the table with my breasts exposed down into these little (or should I say big) slots and my head in a comfortable pillow thingy.

I just prayed most of the time until the noise caught me off guard, and all of a sudden I heard, “Ba ba ba ba ba ba, bummer, bummer, bummer, bummer, down by the barn, down by the barn, down by the barn.” It was so funny. The loud noise was making words. I got a kick out of that. And then it was over. Not bad at all.

The next day, I met with the plastic surgeon to discuss some ugly things, like do I want to get both breasts removed so if it ever gets in the other one I won’t have to go through this again and my boobs will look alike? Do I want reconstruction? Do I want DIEP flap? (Google it). Will there be more complications if I try to save my nipples and they don’t take or … the MRI shows there’s no cancer because God healed me. That’s what my hubby is believing.

Now, I wait for the results.

Could you pray with me: For cancer not to have moved out of my milk ducts, for it to be smaller than they thought and for continued peace and joy (Nehemiah 8:10, The joy of the Lord is my strength).

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)