Dear Family & Friends,
This will be repeat information for some of you; for others, it will be an introduction to the events that have transpired over the past two weeks: On May 26, I had a routine mammogram, which indicated a dark spot on my right breast. Two days later, I had an ultrasound and both reports were sent to my Family Practitioner, Dr. Patricia Hogan. She referred me to Dr. Jeffrey Crooms, Surgeon, for a core needle biopsy, which he performed on June 2. Stephen drove me to this appointment, drove me home, and was with me when Dr. Crooms called, two hours later, to inform me that the I had a cancerous tumor in the right breast. Stephen and I immediately returned to Dr. Crooms’ office and he ordered an MRI, which I had on June 5. I have not yet received results from this test.
Specifically, I have Stage One Invasive Ductal Carcinoma [IDC]. This is a common type of breast cancer: Among all the women who have breast cancer, 70% of these women have this type. Stage One refers to the size of the tumor, which is between 1 and 2 cm. Invasive does not necessarily mean that the cancer is aggressive; it means that it travels outside of the milk duct.
What are the next steps for us? We are preparing for surgery in June to remove the tumor — a lumpectomy. While I am on the operating table, the surgeon will remove a few lymph nodes and a pathologist will examine them. Following the lumpectomy, I will recuperate and receive radiation. Until we receive the results of the post-operative biopsy of the tumor and the lymph nodes, we will not know what further treatment will be required.
Please pray for us.
Coram Deo,
Margo
Margot’s Corner 
Margo
Stacks of books – how appropriate for you! Carole shared with me your visit. We look forward to getting together soon.
We will continue to pray for God’s Healing Hand to guide this process.
Rick
Thinking about you and praying for you 🙂
Dear beautiful friend Margo,
The many of us who love you and have been so richly and freely loved by you will join to soak you in prayer. Thank you for the honor of walking and praying with you on this journey.
The Lover of our Souls, the Word, Creator and Sustainer of Life is with you and in you and undergirding you, never leaving or forsaking you even one moment. His Very Presence always makes our hardest times Holy and Beautiful. Somehow, He is able to build and grace us even more in and through our trials and sufferings.
Please keep us posted, and think about what you need and let us know, for example, the hours you will receive visitors and calls, when you will need food, company and when you need privacy and rest.
May the God of all comfort give you His rest and peace that surpasses understanding.
Blessings and love,
Georgia
PS – To all – my phone number is 224-0030. Perhaps we could organize to help Margo and Steve.
Dear Georgia,
I re-read your comment often and it gives me strength and calmness to go through each day. I know that you have suffered and this makes your words of comfort mean even more to me. You are a dear friend and I appreciate your offer of help.
Fondly,
Margo
Margo,
We are so sorry to hear about this news, but we will be praying for you with plenty of faith and hope in our Lord. Please let us know if there is any way we can be a help or an encouragement to you during this time.
Your friends,
Taylor & Karissa Bodoh
Margo,
You and Steve are in our prayers. We are so sorry to hear the news, but know that God is sovereign and full of mercy. He has a reason and a plan. John Piper has a great message on his website, http://www.desiringgod.org called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer”. He had prostate cancer a couple of years ago. I think it would be a comfort and blessing. Please let us know if you need anything…we love you 🙂
Fonsie, Lesley and Angel
Dear Margo,
We are so sorry to hear your news, but know, as do you, that the God we serve is gracious, loving, faithful and sovereign. He knows the millions of things going on around us all the time that we could never comprehend or understand…He has a plan. John Piper has a wonderful note on his website, http://www.desiringgod.org called “Don’t Waste Your Cancer”…he was diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple of years ago. I pray it will bring you encouragement. We are praying for you and love you very much. Please let us know what we can do to help you practically.
Jesus loves you and so do we,
Fonsie, Lesley and Angel
Margo,
I am so sorry to hear the news. You and Steve are in my prayers. You are too beautiful a person to be sidelined for long. My prayers go up for a swift & complete recovery. I have no doubt you will use this difficult period in your life for a greater purpose. Please call me if you need anything. I would be honored to help in any way.
Margaret