Happy Hyster-varsary to me! A year ago today, I had a prophylactic hysterectomy after finding out of my BRCA1 status. There have been a few occasions when I've gotten sad about not having the option to have more children, but for the most part, I still feel really good about my decision. Having had several friends have babies over the last year has helped; I can get my baby fix any time I want. And, I can wear white any time I want (yes, I'm even sporting it after Labor Day). And no more periods. And, since I had my hysterectomy, I'm getting to skip 5 years of hormone suppressing therapy due to my breast cancer. Bonus!
I'm reminded that His plan is what's best for us, even though it isn't our plan. Several things aided me in discovering my breast cancer; Of course, at the time, I didn't know how things would line up, but looking back, I can absolutely see His plan.
First I discovered I was BRCA1 positive. Then, decided to undergo the hysterectomy, as ovarian cancer was what had haunted the women in my family for decades. After the hysterectomy, I started hormone replacement therapy. Even though my cancer was not estrogen fed, the HRT caused my lump to become more prevalent. Without that lump becoming more prevalent, I likely would have chalked the lump up to hormonal changes. I would have accepted the erroneously false negative mammogram that said I was in the clear. I would not have pushed to undergo the prophylactic mastectomy. The aggressive cancer would have grown.
The take-away: All these things were tough. Waiting for the testing result was tough. The decision to not have more children was tough. Surgery was tough. But, WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. He leads us through hard things to prepare us for something down the road that He can see and that we cannot.
Counting my blessings tonight. As a football is whizzing past my head as I type this. And the Chief's are blaring on the tv. I wouldn't want it any other way.
