This post may contain affiliate links. You can read my disclosure policy here.

I’ve been in Atlanta the last few days with my mom. She had a double mastectomy yesterday morning. I haven’t talked much about her breast cancer over the last few months. I tend to be pretty private about family stuff and this has been particularly hard for me to talk about.

In March when I learned she had breast cancer, I was devastated. I was scared. I was terrified that I would lose her. It was unexpected, of course, and the first few days after she told me I cried an awful lot. She has a very aggressive form of breast cancer – Inflammatory Breast Cancer. There was no tumor like you would normally expect to find and this kind of cancer isn’t found on a mammogram. One morning while in the shower she noticed a change in the appearance of her skin and that her nipple looked inverted.

So she called the doctor.

I’m so thankful she didn’t wait. She caught the cancer early and I’m so very thankful. She had 18 weeks of chemotherapy and her surgeon said that 20 years ago they would have given her 2 – 3 months to live with this cancer diagnosis.

My mom is an amazing woman. Her faith in God to see her through this has been such a testimony to me and I am in awe of her strength.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27. NIV.

Yesterday the surgery went really well. The surgeon said that they removed all of the disease that they could see. The week after my daughter Sarah’s wedding, my mom will start 6 weeks of radiation treatments everyday to kill in microscopic cancer cells and I’m praying for complete healing and a swift recovery.

She came home from the hospital today and I’ve been amazed at how well she is doing. She was up most of the day, sitting or walking around the house. She has had some pain, but nothing major, and she looks great.

It’s an answer to so many prayers!

I’m going to stay with her for a few more days and help her where I can and just enjoy being with her. Let me know how you are doing this week and what is going on in your household. God bless!

Tweet
Share
Pin
Share
0 Shares

My name is Melissa Ringstaff and I've been blogging here at A Virtuous Woman since 2001. I'm a pastor's wife and homeschooling mom living in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains of Southeastern KY. I believe in finding freedom from perfection and living life with purpose and I want to help you do exactly that.

I'm so glad you've stopped by to visit with me. I hope we can be friends!

Similar Posts

14 Comments

  1. Melissa , so very sorry to hear about your mom. She is so fortunate to have you there to help her during her recovery. I will keep you all in my prayers. Amazing things happen in your life during these tremendous stresses. This will be the next chapter of your relationship with your mom. Seeing both of your strengths and faith come out. Drawing even closer than before. God bless you both Terry Barbanell
    Reply
  3. Melissa, I am so sorry to hear of your Mom's cancer and pleased that the surgery went well. My continued prayers for her further treatments and full recovery! May God be with all of you as you face the future and put it in God's hands. I really appreciate your work on your blog and have used quite a few of your tips and helps! Thanks for making your ideas available! I am 81 years young but I still enjoy and use what is applicable to me. Tell your Mom that I am also a breast cancer survivor. I had 1 breast lumpectomy followed by radiation. Then 6 years later it came up again and I chose double mastectomy and following chemo for a year. I am still around to say that God saw me through it. My regards and prayers. Virginia Patton
    Reply
  4. So sorry to hear about your mom. I will be praying for her and your family. God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. Keep us posted on her progress.
    Reply
  5. I'll be praying for your mom and you!!! I don't know if this will be helpful but I've listened to the Chris Beat Cancer podcast and his interview with Dr Ruth Heidrich on how she beat breast cancer. Maybe it would be hopeful to listen. Also, he interviews Dr Axe on helping his mom beat breast cancer. Both are hopeful and inspiring! God bless! Yucchi
    Reply
  7. Bless your heart! I'll be praying for you and your mom. I have a friend who has been battliing that same kind of cancer for two years but she is doing well, praying, and not giving up. I wish your mom the best.
    Reply
  8. Thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony. I will keep you and your mother in my prayers. With God all things are possible...When I pray You answer me...by giving me the STRENGTH I need. Psalm 138:3 TLB
    Reply
  9. Melissa, I am saddened to hear what your mom, your family, and you are walking through. I will be praying for your mom daily, and for you, as she heals from surgery, and I'll be asking God to touch her body and heal her of all of the cancer cells that may be lingering. You've got an unbelievably full load, and I'll be praying for the physical and emotional strength you need. God's holding the grace you'll need each day. I'll be praying for your upcoming celebration as your daughter gets married, that it will go amazing, and that you and your mom can enjoy every single minute of it together. Praying Isaiah 41:10 for you, lady!
    Reply
  10. Praising the LORD with you both about the healing power of OUR GOD. Continued prayers for her recovery and the powerful testimony.
    Reply
  12. Melissa, I'm sorry about your Mom going through so much. I'm glad prayers have been answered and she's doing so much better. What a blessing! I will certainly have her in my prayers too. By the way, I live an hour south of Atlanta - I can almost reach out and give you & her a big hug! Blessings sweet lady!!
    Reply
      1. Melissa, I live in Macon. Have been in the area for 32 years <--- I can't believe it's been that long. Your parents live in a very nice area. :-) I have y'all in my prayers. Blessings to you!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *