March 26, 2022

Hi, y’all – 

Happy Saturday.  I hope that you’re all enjoying your day off and hopefully, you have some wonderful weather that you are enjoying.  As you know Texas has been on crack when it comes to weather this year.  Seems like Texas just decides to go out drinking and partying one night then come home the next morning and cover the area with storms, tornados, snow, sleet, rain, etc.  As many of you know, we had 5 tornados touch down on Monday all within a 5 county ratio.  Thankfully, Mano and I are okay but many others in our area were not.  Please lift those that lost their homes or have substantial damage up in your prayers. (PRAYERS) God was so good through it all – there was not one loss of life during the whole incident. (PRAISES).  Let me share a feel-good story from Monday’s craziness.  See the link here.

Now, let’s get to the announcement that you all have been waiting for – my surgical decision.   

First, I would like to share that making this surgical decision was not an easy decision for me and it brought with it a bunch of emotions that I did not expect to feel.   Being diagnosed with breast cancer and the different steps you have to take to fight your way to “healthy and whole” come with a variety of emotions.  I have said to others that parts of the journey are like losing someone in your life and you have to walk through the “stages of grief” – denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.  When I met with the surgeon and the plastic surgeon a month ago and heard of all the options – I was really pissed off after that appointment.  Mano couldn’t figure out why I was so mad.  I explained to him that I was so pissed because I did not want to have ANY surgery and I felt like I was being “forced” to make a decision, to alter my body, because of this dumb cancer.  It’s not like I decided to have a breast-altering procedure and went to a surgeon, happily cut the check, and was anxiously waiting for the procedure.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  Once I was able to take some time, breath through it, pray about it and have some open discussions with my husband and some others, I was able to finally make a decision that I believe will be the right decision for me.  

There is a lot of stigma with TNBC and the surgical decisions that women make while on this journey and I completely respect each woman’s right to make their own decision for themselves.  My decision has been based on conversations with my oncologists, surgeon, the response that my tumor has made from the chemotherapy, the placement of the tumor, the surgical options, etc.  So without further ado – My surgical decision is for a Lumpectomy or in the cancer world it’s now called Breast Conservation Surgery (details here) and since the insurance companies are gracious enough to pay for us ladies in this predicament, I’m able to also have a Breast reduction (breast mammaplasty) with a Breast Lift (mastopexy).  Basically, as I like to call it, the girls will be living north of the border again once this is all done.  I mean, why not, I may as well have my 20-year-old boobs again!!!  There is a silver lining after all. 

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5th and I will be out of work for 6 weeks to heal I have jokingly, not so jokingly, told everyone that I may sleep for 5 of the 6 weeks because I am still so tired.  Again, joking, not joking!

My sister is supposed to come out next Sunday 04/03 to go with us to Houston for my surgery, but she had a flare-up this week of an old herniated disc injury in her back and ended up in the emergency room on Wednesday.  She is home convalescing herself as we speak.  Please lift her up in prayers as she heals.  (PRAYERS).  

Prayers this week are needed for safe travels back and forth to Houston, good/clear pre-operative appointments, and no challenges to getting the surgery done on time (04/05).  Prayers for my sister to heal and be able to come with us.  Prayers for the family in Round Rock that they have a productive week while we are away.  

Many of you have asked how you can help and I promise that I will be posting soon on how you can provide meals and/or gift cards when we get back after my surgery.  Mano and I can’t say Thank You enough for all the help that we have received so far and we don’t take it lightly.   I said from the beginning, this is a marathon, not a sprint.  Thank you for being on the journey with us and part of our village.

I love you all – 

xo,

Tracy