Update on Mom

Meme and Poppy, the evening before her surgery.  

When I recollect all the LORD has done in recent weeks, I am brought to tears to consider HIS mercy!

This Thursday will mark two weeks ago that Mom had surgery to remove both breasts.  Since her cancer diagnosis in late April, our family has experienced the perfect mercy and sustaining grace of the LORD.  We count every call, email, card, gift, visit, and meal a HUGE blessing, for all of these have caused us to have hearts overflowing w/gratitude for what He has done!   

After a two day stay in the hospital, Mom was released to go home Saturday afternoon, May 19^th.  From the start, she did well, and only suffered minor discomfort, itching, and occasional nausea (related to the pain medicine).   Although mom experienced very little pain, she took medication to stay on top of any that may develop, per her doctor’s orders. Surprisingly, it never came.  What a blessing! 

Last Thursday, Mom received the information we all anticipated from the pathology report.  During surgery, 11 lymph nodes were removed.  Three out of the eleven were found to be cancerous.  We were not surprised by this, since the surgeon, Dr. Edwards, told us the day of surgery he found at least one lymph node to be cancerous.  So, w/this additional information, Mom’s invasive cancer was noted as ‘Stage 2B’, meaning the tumor was approximately 3 cm and found to have spread to the axillary lymph nodes, but it’s ‘very treatable’.  Mom has reminded us over and again that her life is in the LORD’s hands, and she considers there to be no better place to be.

  

This Thursday, Mom will see her plastic surgeon, Dr. Desai, at which time he will remove the tubes he placed during surgery to allow fluid to drain.  We’re grateful Mom did not experience any complications w/the drains.  Whether or not he will include additional treatment in regards to the reconstructive process, I am not sure. 

On Monday, June 4^th, Mom is scheduled to see Dr. Harris, the oncologist.  We anticipate this to be a very informative appointment in re: to the beginning of chemotherapy treatment.  Please remember Mom in the weeks to come, as we are not sure what treatment and/or side effects may come.

Mom continues to remain upbeat and lighthearted about her ongoing treatment.  We are grateful for her strength and outlook!  Her faith is amazing!!    

Thank you for your continued prayers.  We are mindful of you as we thank the LORD for all He is doing and has allowed during this season of our lives. 

This photo was taken the second night following Mom's surgery.  We three, Joanna, Katherine, and I joined 'Meme' for a 'sleep over' in the hospital.  We figured it'd take all three of us to do as good a job as Aunt Pam did taking care of Mom's needs the first night following surgery.  As it turned out, Mom felt really good that night, other than itching a lot.  Around 8 p.m., the nurse gave her Benedryl, and w/in moments the sleep over began!  Meme was out like a light!!  Ha~

Throughout the night, the nurse and aide peeped in on Mom and only awakened her at midnight to give her medication and check her vitals.  We're grateful they did, because Mom's oxygen absorption dropped low for having taken Benedryl which resulted in her sleeping soundly.  They gave her a minimal amount of oxygen for the remainder of the night and we all enjoyed a good night's rest!  

What sweet memories we recall during this time the LORD has ordained for our good!  Since Mom's discharge from the hospital, her sister, 'Aunt Faye' has stayed w/Mom and Dad the entire time to help care for Mom's needs, and Dad's belly! What an AWESOME blessing she's been!!  
Many have come to visit and have brought food, which we've all enjoyed!  
 We've been wonderfully supported and loved thru this time!  The atmosphere at Mom and Dad's house has been unlike anything I could've imagined or anticipated...every time we gather,  we party!!  


The LORD has truly shown us His mercy and peace, and I can honestly say, "It is Well!!"

Bonding Bruce and Cotton

This post is for Meagan, Bruce's previous owner.
The day has finally arrived!!!  We removed the walls in the rabbit hutch this week and Bruce and Cotton are now living their 'happily ever after' life together.  They are bonded.  Yeah!! 
We consider this quite an accomplishment! Whew! 
I'm thankful our bonding days are over!! 

Grace and Glory

"God is not going to replace suffering with glory; rather HE will transform suffering into glory."
Charles Swindoll 


Dear Friends,

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.”

Psalm 103

What a peace the LORD has brought about in my heart re: the things He has allowed.  I am purposed to believe He will lead us through the days ahead!!

Last Friday morning I joined Mom, along w/my two brothers' wives, Mary and Pam, to meet w/doctors re: the news she received the week before:  Mom has breast cancer .  We went w/her in hopes of being a source of strength and support.  However, we all agree, she was a source of strength and support for us! 

The news is quickly reaching friends of our family, so I suppose now it's safe to make the news known this way as well.  

We met w/a surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, and plastic surgeon.  We're extremely grateful for the sensitivity this team of doctors had in meeting us in the same place.  They work very closely w/one another to minimize a woman/family having to go from place to place in a short period of time, minimizing the amt of time that lapses before surgery.  I do not wish to go into much detail, but the overall thought we have right now is that Mom will have surgery on the afternoon of May 17th to remove the affected breast.  Blood was drawn for a genetic test that will show whether Mom is at risk of developing add'l tumors in the other breast.  I don't fully understand the test, but from what I understand, if the results come back positive, they will provide genetic counseling, and give Mom help w/ways to minimize her predisposition.  Both of my mom's parents experienced some form of cancer...my grandmother had both breasts removed 10 years apart in her latter years (67 & 77).  My grandfather passed away because of pancreatic cancer when he was 69 years old.  Four of Mom's aunts, maternal and paternal, have also lived w/breast cancer.

Mom has already said she desires to have both breasts removed at the same time.  We'll see what happens. 

Believe it or not, reconstructive surgery will begin during the same surgery as long as the quick freeze pathology report does not reveal she will need radiation. It's possible Mom will not need chemotherapy, but that is yet to be determined, and we are much in prayer about this!  

There's much to process, needless to say, but in all there is to think about, I am grateful for the overwhelming peace I have in Mom's strong faith in the midst of her trial..."My life is in God's hands, and I don't want to waste a day worrying about something He's in control of." 

This not to say I haven't shed a few tears, especially when Mom first told us, but surprisingly, "It is well"!  I am so very grateful!! 

The enemy still lurks around to interfere w/my thoughts, but so far, he's not been successful at discouraging my resolve to trust the LORD w/all this.

Please pray for my mom, especially, during this time, that she will not grow weary in the multitude of thoughts she is having to process.  I am grateful she is surrounded by a multitude of close friends, some of which are breast cancer survivors, and who bring great strength and comfort to her.  I suppose I'm more like my dad in that he and I tend to be overwhelmed by circumstances, so I ask that you lift all of us up. 

                                                                                                                                                                             

Please continue to pray for Mark’s father who is still rebounding from cancer treatments he rec’d last summer.  We are extremely grateful for the good reports we’ve rec’d from the last scans and tests taken, however his recovery continues.  It has been much longer and more difficult than we imagined because of the effects the chemo/radiation had on his esophagus and his ability to resume eating and drinking, but progress is being made!!  Praise the LORD!!  Mark’s parents have demonstrated much grace and faith through this trial, especially Mark’s mom!!  I am so very grateful for her! 

Thank you for loving us and supporting us through prayer when you think of us.  What a great comfort it is to experience peace through trials as this for knowing we are surrounded by those who are committed by love to pray for us!

His Peace to you,

K~