FLAT TUESDAY

Flat Tuesday, you may ask? Well, my double mastectomy was performed on Fat Tuesday. I jokingly told the surgeon that he has forever changed my “Fat Tuesday” to “Flat Tuesday.” LOL! I have always been told that laughter is great for the soul and I must say that laughter has helped make this journey a tad bit easier.

Monday, February 24: Mom and I left for Jacksonville for pre-operative procedures (electrocardiogram, lymph node mapping, blood work, and surgical clearance) early…just so we could eat breakfast at Whataburger prior to my appointments. We absolutely love the breakfast taquitos. LOL.

A slight scare occurred during my surgical clearance appointment. The nurse practitioner was concerned because my red blood cell count and hemoglobin were low, however she discussed my situation with the anesthesiologist and they agreed that this was simply a result of the chemotherapy and “cleared” me for surgery.

Later that afternoon, Chason drove in to town and the three of us (Mom, Chason, and I) met up with my Uncle Steve and Aunt Jackie. We all enjoyed dinner and shopping at the St. John’s Town Center before I had to begin the dreaded “nothing by mouth” journey before surgery. LOL.

Tuesday, February 25: SURGERY DAY! The long, dreaded day. Since the beginning of my breast cancer journey, I never actually “felt” as if I had breast cancer. Even through the hair loss, chemotherapy, PowerPort placement, and awful chemo-induced fatigue…I still felt like the healthy, pre-diagnosed ME.

I knew after being diagnosed that it would officially “HIT” me that I HAD breast cancer once I had the bilateral mastectomy performed. But, honestly…I had the best plastic surgeon, Dr. TerKonda, south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and I still feel like ME! LOL. Honestly, my surgeons, Dr. McLaughlin and Dr. TerKonda worked so well together. My scars…that I so dreaded…aren’t actually that bad. The surgery that I so dreaded, wasn’t actually that bad. The recovery, that I so dreaded, hasn’t been that bad. All thanks to the Lord! During this journey, I have truly learned what “thankfulness” is actually about.

5:30am: Mom, Chason, and I left the hotel and headed to Mayo. I checked in to the surgical suite at Mayo and the countdown began. Daddy, Sarah, Colton, Granny Mable, Aunt Jackie, Uncle Steve, and Brother Austin joined mom and Chason in the waiting room prior to coming back and praying over me.

Surgery was over. I was in recovery and vividly remember telling the nurses that I did not like opiates and I did not want to continue receiving Dilaudid. LOL! Needless to say, I continued receiving Dilaudid until Wednesday afternoon.

During recovery, my childhood/forever best friend, Toni, came and visited me. I was so shocked to see her and apparently I kept asking her the same questions repeatedly.

I was admitted into the hospital for 2 nights. I received pain medication and muscle relaxers around the clock. Chason and Mom were incredible—waiting on me hand and foot and always there to literally lift me up and reposition me.

Once I was discharged from the hospital, I had to immediately report to the Mangurian Building at Mayo to receive IV Herceptin and Perjeta. I received Benadryl and Tylenol (by mouth) and normal saline prior to the Herceptin and Perjeta infusions. The infusions were quick and the journey back to Lakeland began.

When I arrived home, Aunt Doris, Granny, Aunt Penny, Uncle Jean, Brad, and Brinley welcomed me (and Mom) home with a wonderful meal and lots of laughs. During this journey, my family has been absolutely incredible—from the many prayers, meals, generous gifts, and constant encouragement. I am so glad that I am apart of such a large family because a large family results in LARGE blessings. ❤

PATHOLOGY

After Dr. McLaughlin (surgical oncologist) completed her portion of my operation, she informed my family of her findings. She advised them that the surgery went well, however she tested 3 lymph nodes and discovered that 2 of the lymph nodes had trace disease and the other was clear of any disease. Being that 2 lymph nodes were found to have trace disease, she advised them that she removed an unknown amount of surrounding lymph nodes to determine if any disease was present (and this would not be determined until the pathology report was completed on Friday).

Dr. TerKonda (plastic surgeon) inserted my tissue expanders immediately after the breast tissues were removed and filled them to 100mL. **Shout out to Dr. TerKonda for the smallest incisions possible and minimal scarring.** He advised my family that the surgery was a “textbook” procedure and that I would be very pleased with my reconstruction.

The official pathology report resulted on Friday, February 28th…you guys ready to hear? We serve ONE MIGHTY God!

So…the original tumor was 3.7cm. The pathologist was only able to visualize 3mm of the tumor. Pathology determined that a total of 21 lymph nodes were removed. The two lymph nodes that showed trace cancer cells were the only ones with cancer. All the others removed during surgery were negative. All in all, the chemotherapy killed 99% of the disease! Hallelujah! I am victorious in JESUS! He went before me and I am now CANCER FREE! Next up, RADIATION. 🙂

THANKFULNESS

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

He is SO good! During this entire journey, I have felt the presence of the Lord. He has been my sole provider, my comforter, my peace, and my hope. I have considered this breast cancer journey to be my “wilderness” and time of spiritual growth. If any of you would have asked me one year ago, “Anna, if you were faced with a life-changing diagnosis, like breast-cancer, do you believe that you would have faith to carry you through?” I honestly do not know how I would have responded—because in all reality I probably would have said no. One year ago, I was full of pride. I was in the best physical shape that I had ever been in. I was obsessed with my hair (sounds crazy, but I honestly would go every 5-6 weeks for a toner with the best, Cara Kimbrell Marro at Salon Bloom). Chason and I had just purchased land and were discussing our future (looking at floor plans and clearing land). I was so caught up with ME and MY future and paid little attention to God and HIS plan. However, that all came to a screeching halt on September 13, 2019, and I am truly thankful.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

The lifestyle that I was living, full of pride and self-sufficiency only leads to self-destruction, but this diagnosis of breast cancer saved me from self-destruction. This diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened in terms of my spirituality and relationship with the Lord. Breast cancer stripped me of my physical appearance, my hair, my pride, and left me with humility, a greater appreciation for others, and ultimately a renewed relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I found the joy in my journey of breast cancer. By the work of his hands, I sing for joy!

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. Psalm 92:1-4

Mr. John Bevere states in his book, God, Where Are You?, “The length of time and the sufferings experienced in the wilderness—compared to what will be gained—are considered a light, momentary challenge. Of course, when you are in the middle of the wilderness, seeing the experience as not that big of a deal is hard, unless you have the vision of what comes after you exit the desert” (p. 180). Do you know what comes after you exit the desert? YOUR PROMISED LAND! Do not give up. No matter what you may be facing, the Lord will guide you and protect you. Keep faith, cling to Him, and pray BOLDLY! We serve a God who lives. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Our God is a Mighty God. He is the way, the truth, and the life!

“Our sorrows are all, like ourselves, mortal. There are no immortal sorrows for immortal souls. They come, but blessed be God, they also go. Like birds of the air, they fly over our heads. But they cannot make their abode in our souls. We suffer today, but we shall rejoice tomorrow.” -Charles H. Spurgeon

Once again, thank you all for the continued prayers. I am a true example that there is power in prayer. You guys have been incredible. I am forever grateful for all of the love, prayers, and encouragement. I can never thank you all enough. Please continue to pray for me and my family in the days to come. I continue to receive infusions (immunoglobulin therapy) every three weeks and will be starting radiation within the next 1-2 months. I still have a long road to complete recovery, but I am at peace. I know that the Lord has a plan for me and he has already gone before me. Feel free to post a comment, I love reading them all. ❤

With love,

Anna Vaggalis