What A Relief!! 😃

Hello all!! I just wanted to check in with a quick update. In general, I am feeling quite well. My strength and energy are returning and I am working full time. I still struggle with the neuropathy in my hands and feet, but I am learning to adjust. The hot flashes continue to be a constant annoyance, but as the weather cools down I get to enjoy my own personal summer! I am feeling incredibly grateful for some wonderful news I received today. Some of you know that I detected a lump in my right breast a few weeks ago. That is totally weird because I don't have any breast tissue to be lumpy. I had Dr Miranda check it out and he told me he didn't think it was anything scary but we should get an ultrasound to be sure. The ultrasound could not identify what it was, but classified it as highly suspicious. The radiologist who performed the ultrasound recommended a biopsy. This news had me pretty freaked out, and frankly just plain ticked me off. Dr Miranda recommended that I go back to McKay-Dee in Utah for the biopsy because of complications with my tissue expanders. Tyler took me down on Tuesday for the biopsy, which went great. Dr Shale(my plastic surgeon) had spoken with the Dr who performed the biopsy prior to the procedure. That was great because Dr Babcook was already familiar with my case and the placement of the expanders before she even met me. She was excellent and did a great job explaining everything. Her office called me today with pathology results. Benign fat necrosis!! This was probably caused during the mastectomy, and has been slowly collecting over time. Who knew a big gob of dead fat would make me so happy??? Anyway, the plan will be for Dr Shale to remove it during reconstruction, which should happen next month. (It has to come out because it is necrotic-dead things shouldn't hang out inside of you!) This little scare reminded me not to take things for granted. It also served as a reminder of how tremendously blessed I am to have such support. As I contemplated the possibility of resuming chemo again, I kept thinking of all the people that would once again be right by my side. I gather such strength from all of you!! I can never express my gratitude for the support our family has received, and continues to receive. My family has been simply phenomenal through this ordeal, and we are a stronger and closer bunch now. I am simply in awe of a loving Father in Heaven that has heard and tenderly answered countless prayers. My gratitude knows no bounds, and my faith has grown tremendously. I remain convinced that angels are continually rallying round all of us- I am just fortunate to call so many of them friends.  ~ Melissa