Today is four weeks since my doctor called to tell me that they found a spot of cancer on my right side. It's been an absolute whirlwind of a month. First and foremost, the support I have received has been incredible. I don't think I've ever cried so many happy/thankful/grateful tears, ever. It's really forcing me and teaching me to receive the love and support from those around me. So, thank you.
Medical Update
All of my tests have come back favorable which has been a relief. I have been so convicted in the vision I'm holding and praying for along the way that the conversations with my doctors have flowed well and I feel empowered rather than victimized.
My surgery is scheduled for Friday, November 1, (aka 11/1 aka 111✨) at Sharp Mary Birch and it's simple and an outpatient procedure. Since I did this last year too (thyroid), I feel much more relaxed about surgery. I had an ultrasound the other day and the technician showed me the tumor (it's TINY, 1.2 cm) and the visual on it is crazy. It's the only time I'll see it so I'm glad we met and am happy to have it out too.
My doctors have been incredible. My radiology oncologist literally talks more than I do and she explained everything to me that she possibly could. Her nurse even had to come get her for the next patient, haha. Radiation will likely start the first week of December. I'm not happy about "having" to get radiation tattoos but I have a strong Pinterest Board of cover-up ideas that may or may not involve Harry Potter.
Life Update
I told myself, "This has taken over my calendar, but it won't take over my life." The number of appointments is seriously unreal but I also appreciate the thorough care I am receiving. Candidly, I've been exhausted by the mental toll this has taken. Especially in the beginning, when you have little to no information besides "you have cancer", it's hard to just be, but having faith in it all being the right results for me has been huge in calming my mind.
When you find out the diagnosis, they assign a nurse to you. She was using allllll the scary words and I stopped her and said asked if it was routine or specific to me... it was routine. But that was the beginning of me being more direct, more honest and asking for what I need even more than I did before. This is a merit badge that I didn't want, a club I never wanted to be part of. Telling people about it has been hard, partly out of ego and partly out of fear of what others will think or how they will perceive me... Wondering how people will handle it - in life, in dating, in work, in all of it. But it's teaching me over and over how loved I am and that I deserve to be shown up for...apparently something I needed a swift kick in the ass about.
It hasn't slowed me down though. My bff Alex and I straight up manifested a FREE golf trip to Napa and we had the best time. We won our flight (yay) but it was a great way to divert attention away from being scared of this. Golf is a happy place for me and you know I already asked my doctor how soon I could play again (about 2 weeks, no bouncing haha).
And because I keep being asked for this....
(From Tessa)
We ask for prayers for healing and clarity and if you'd like to make a financial contribution, I'm tracking donations. Our parents raised Katharine and I to tithe to charities of our choice. That's carried us into adulthood and we both still donate to people in need, many times without even knowing the person. I know this goodness would one day come back to us if needed <3.
Katharine fully supports herself as she owns her own business and there are a lot of costs and a lot of unknowns for future costs. Her copay for one appointment alone can vary from $90 - $230. If people would like to help, we are gratefully accepting contributions towards her medical bills, time lost not working, and for auxiliary testing and treatments to help bring her into perfect health. We will be doing testing (out-of-pocket costs) to explore more root cause potentials for why she has had thyroid cancer and now breast cancer within a year.
Venmo is @TessaBowmanÂ
PayPal is tessa.bowman6@gmail.com.  Name is Fortunata Bowman
Zelle is tessa.bowman6@gmail.com. Name is Fortunata Bowman
Phone number is 619-994-0786
If you want to mail her anything, please text Tessa for the address.
RESOURCES - dropping this again
I'm with Sharp and this page (despite the mask photo...) has a lot of great information. The videos under "understanding your diagnosis" are interesting and go over basic info too, not just cancer stuff.
THE VISION I'M HOLDING (and you are welcome to adapt for your prayers too)
That the genetic testing come bask easy and favorable. That it’s clear and I am in the majority side where the results do not indicate any recurrence risk or high risk.Â
That the lymph node they remove during surgery is clear, healthy and beautiful.Â
That the lumpectomy is simple easy and has beautiful clean marginsÂ
That my pathology shows the lowest grade, lowest stage and totally clean marginsÂ
Vision: glittering white light in my breasts, breaking up anything that is not for my highest, the little tumor evaporating into the light of God.Â
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