Happy New Year!

While waiting for my pathology results I was pretty consumed by thoughts about the future of my boob. I have been a regular contributor to the Postcards from the Edge AIDS fundraiser in NYC yet this year's entry was a bit different than usual. My fiberworks have never included naked bods before, but this year there wasn't another subject that I was interested in creating. At the time I felt that whatever was to happen following the pathology results that I was going to be a victor and not a victim. And so the gal on my postcard is holding a laurel wreath. It's not on her head yet, but she is ready to put it on her head, soon. The laurel wreath is on my head now that I know that the pathology results from my surgery were even better than the original biopsy findings. Before my doctor told me the pathology results the nurse tested my blood pressure and it was the highest level it has ever been. I usually have very low blood pressure, especially since I run all the time, and I told the nurse that I was sure that the reading was due to being very anxious to hear the results of the pathology. She was quite understanding since she must see this all the time in her daily work. My heart was pounding out of my chest too. Then the doctor came into the exam room and said, "I know you would like to have more surgery, but you won't need any more!" What a roundabout way to say that I was okey-dokey. An enormous weight had in that instant been lifted off of me. It had been two months of mammos, biopsies, wire localization, surgery and hives to get to this point of not having a constant cloud over my existence. The only other times in my life when I have been as happy were when I got married and gave birth to my babies. I wanted to jump up in the air and do that sideways heel click move but I'm not coordinated enough to do it as well as I imagine it should be done. Joy filled me so completely I could not stop smiling. I am a lucky one. It must be horrible when the oncologist has to tell his patient that their worst fear is realized. For me however I imagine a wonderful new year full of cheer and optimism. My life turned on a positive or negative result on a glass plate under a microscope. I am blessed to have a favorable outcome, and to be lucky enough to have a surgeon that was superbly skilled.

I wonder if my postcard sold this weekend in NYC.

Happy New Year to all!!!!! Be healthy!