Monday, November 12, 2012

Thankful

Got the good news today that my biopsy results were A- OK. I am so truly thankful. Many heartfelt thanks for all of the understanding and kind words left after my previous post.

I am not sure why, but after years of these types of scares, (and as I said before all of them ending in good news) I truly think that this time I was just overcome with battle fatigue. When doctors work so hard to try to rule out and/or find cancer in you, (and God bless them for looking so carefully) it's hard to not after awhile start to believe that your number is indeed going to be called. And after I received my good news late this afternoon today, that is where my mind did go... to all the woman who didn't get the good news. To all the woman who already have, or will now have to, find the courage, faith, strength, energy, time and money to fight the battle of breast cancer. My thought and prayers go out to each and every one. And hopefully, one day, may our daughters and granddaughters not have to worry about such a disease.

Maybe now I can get the cobwebs out of my brain and post some work. A few new table runners are awaiting completion. I hope to post them soon. Again, many thanks for all the kindness you all have shown me with your caring and good wishes, and all-around niceness. I deeply appreciate it. xo

40 comments:

The Inside Stori said...

Wonderful news....and your sentiments to others not so fortunate are so heartwarming to read!

Jill said...

I, like so many (too many) others, have watched firsthand what this disease does to people (and their families, friends,...). I couldn't be more thrilled for you that you have been 'cleared' of this diagnosis. truly.

my best to you, and all of those who were by your side, worrying and hoping, too.

Jane S. said...

Whew what a relief! I know what it's like to have that wait. This time it was negative for me, but the woman who was in with the doctor before my appointment wasn't so lucky. She looked completely stunned when she came out of his office. I felt for her, because I've been that person before, too.

So, SO glad you were in the clear. :)

Dan R said...

So glad to hear the good news. I think I understand a bit of the sense of fatigue, maybe just a little bit. Wishing strength to you and all the fighters.

Needled Mom said...

What a relief. Glad the news was so good.

Vicki W said...

That's great news!

CitricSugar said...

I'm so glad for you, and relieved!

Cheryl said...

I'm so glad for your news,
Victoria. Waiting is the hardest part, isn't it?

ellen gets crafty said...

Good, good news.

Nina said...

I read your previous post and I just thought of you this morning, wondering how it tuned out. Very happy for you! Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

libbyquilter said...

excellent news~!
now you can take a big breath and carry on.

:-)
libbyQ

Diane J. Evans said...

No greater feeling than to hear such good news, Victoria -- and now you can move forward with renewed energy. Can't wait to see what you'll create next.

Diane

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Fabulous news! Was just thinking of you yesterday. Best!!

Nifty Quilts said...

So glad to hear your good news, and to think about the many women who deal with this challenge every day.

Karin på Ösäter said...

Yippie for good news!

Karin på Ösäter

dutchcomfort said...

So glad to hear the good news Victoria!

beth said...

oh, i'm so glad. so glad to hear that.

patty a. said...

So glad your news was good! Take care and I always look forward to be inspired by what seems like your endless creativity!

Rumi said...

God news is great news! Your name Victoria say that you will win. Looking forward more beautiful works soon :)

Anonymous said...

I didn't comment on your previous post about this, but I've been checking back to see your news. I am relieved for you that the test results are in your favor. I haven't had to have the extensive tests you've had, but each year for the past several years, I have had to have follow-up mammos/sonograms and I do understand the thoughts and feelings you've expressed. This last one was especially stressful--I went through the "maybe it's my turn now" thought process too. Just wanted you to know you are not alone in those thoughts, and the thoughts of relief mixed with recognizing that other women may not be getting the same good news. Take care! I enjoy your blog, but am just not a frequent commenter. --Becky C.

Esch House Quilts said...

Congratulations on the clean bill of health! The waiting and the mind that won't stop with the "what if...?" is so hard.

Gina said...

Wonderful news for you.

Sarah PingsAndNeedles said...

So pleased for you ... can you hear all that exhaling going on!?

A lovely post and I so understand about the battle worn bit ... I'm going through it at the moment ... January will be my exhale ...

Hoping you gather strength and positivity now to build the energy to get on and enjoy yourself doing the things you love.

antique quilter said...

I am just so happy for you and yes I know women who did not receive the good news you did. I can't even imagine what you have been thru waiting...
Kathie

9patchnurse said...

So glad for you! I hope you can enjoy some creativity again.

Verte Adélie said...

How very glad to read this! Huge sigh of relief for and with you.

Candied Fabrics said...

Hallelujah! I've been thinking about you daily, hoping all would be ok, and I am SO glad to hear that it is. Something to be truly thankful for! Hooray!

Beezus said...

Yay for you! So glad to hear you got good news. As one of the ones who has been on the recieving end of bad news, I thank you for your thoughts as well. But I have to say, when you're living with it, it's not fun, but it's still life, and there are so many good things that can come from it. I truly felt blessed by all the people who took the time to send me cards and gifts, wacky hats, wigs, deodorant (yes, it was a joke) and so forth. If I ever felt worried or nervous - which really didn't happen too often - I just went through the cards that I kept in a shoe box. :)

Amy R said...

So very happy for you and your family and your good news~

Nina said...

Very glad to read this! But I also got the same small shock from this post that I often get when reading something about illness on an American blog - to me that word 'money' stands out so oddly in the list of things people have to find to face a cancer diagnosis. I don't want to upset anyone by being "political", so I'll leave it at that! Looking forward to seeing the creative products of your relief!

Victoria said...

Many thanks to each of you. I am really touched by the concern you have shown me and how you share with me in my relief. And I very touched by those of you have been called to battle. Bless each of you.

Nina, it's ok with me to get political. I will be the first to admit my anger and frustration over health care costs here in America. To be honest, the #1 stress of all of this was the cost. Cost of all of the tests is scary enough, (And the bills from the tests, hospital and doctors will be coming for months). Wondering what the cost would be if I was diagnosed with cancer left me damn near in a fetal position of anxiety. Even with insurance, the out of pocket costs is staggering.

I stressed so deeply over this, that I had little energy left to stress over the idea of cancer itself. And I was aware of that irony... and it pissed me off. For myself, and everyone else who is faced with the high cost of healthcare.

What I don't understand is if so many other countries can figure this out, why can't we? Hoping things improve... I believe the door has at least been cracked open with the Affordable Health Care Act and we are now hopefully headed in the right direction.

How's that for political?!

Jenny M said...

Yes, that is wonderful news. I hope the tension and worry has left you and that now you can look forward to some happier times.
My thoughts go out to all the women that are going thru the battles of dealing with breast cancer.

Nina said...

OK, phew - when I mentioned something about the idea of universal health care on another blog, it caused a massive row; people seemed to think that it was in poor taste to raise a political issue in relation to someone's personal experience?! Guess I was reading the wrong blog! Unfortunately our current govt is ideologically hell-bent on wrecking our National Health Service, but yes, it absolutely can work - it does work here (the UK) and in many other countries - and the benefits for individuals and society FAR outweigh the cost in taxes.

Victoria said...

Nina, I really appreciate your input. I think it is important that we in America hear first hand testimony of how universal health care can and does work. (When my oldest daughter was in college, she lived in England for a semester, during which time she needed health care. She was very impressed with how well it operated and was over the moon that she didn't have to pay anything out of her limited funds.)

I hope your government doesn't break what has been working well, and I hope our government keeps striving to work for the benefit of the people, not the special interest groups.

Catherine said...

I am just so very glad for you!

Stephie said...

Been thinking of you. So glad to hear all is well. x

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

I am so sorry you had to go through this and so happy for your good news! I too got excellent news this week after a long wait - different body part, same scare. Some days life is just Sooo good!

Heather A said...

I'm relieved to learn that you will not, after all, be joining our much too large club. I remember reading about a woman (Xeni is her name - she's kind of famous as a tech writer) and after a friend of hers was diagnosed with bc, she decided (in her early 40s) to get a mammogram and tweet the experience. Much to her shock, it turned out that she had breast cancer and she has been tweeting her experience with surgery, chemo, etc. What I want to say is that I remember reading that she sought out a clinic for her mammogram where, if there was anything that showed up on the mammogram, they do the biopsy right then and have the testing done right then and then, too, meaning she didn't have to go through that awful waiting period. I don't know if that's an option the next time you go for a mammogram. It's not an option where I am but I'd sure prefer it! I remember how the waiting to find out I did, in fact, have breast cancer was terribly stressful.

Again, I'm so glad you've been cleared!

Victoria said...

Nina, congrats on your clean bill of health!

Heather, I agree, if more facilities handled things immediately it would be a great stress reliever for the woman. Actually, the place where I go does read the mammograms and ultrasound right away, and on occasion I have had same day biopsy. (But still must wait for lab results). I think this time took so long because of the MRI tests that were performed, the hassle of insurance pre-approval for the MRI's, all of the images that were taken, and the amount of time to read all of those images.

Cheryl Arkison said...

Oh, what a relief. Truly.