God is still God...

Well it's been two weeks since surgery and I'm healing nicely. The surgery day was just what I'd prayed for. Lots of joy and sharing love with those around us. Good techs, nurses and doctors around me. I felt peace. 

Recovery has gone smoothly as well. I've very little pain and every day I'm getting more energy. I'm almost back to normal. God is so good!

I had my follow up yesterday from surgery. I had determined in my mind, since I didn't hear from the doctor about the pathology, they didn't find anything. The cancer was gone and I was going to tell the doctor that since I'm now cancer free I'm choosing to not do radiation but instead build my immune system naturally to keep any cancer from coming back. Both my friends who have walked with me on this journey weren't able to make it but I knew I'd be ok. I was confident that this was the end of my cancer journey.

God has other plans for me. The cancer spot measured on the mammogram was 0.6cm the lump the doctor removed was 6.0cm. Plenty of room to get clear boarders right? Sadly that is not the case. Apparently I'm not done with my cancer journey so please pray for wisdom as to my next course of treatments. Thankfully, I have options and I'm prayerfully considering each one. I know no matter what I choose God is still in control, my true friends and family will support me, and I'm going to praise God no matter what.

My top three choices are:
another lumpectomy hoping to get clear boarders
mastectomy with reconstruction
a cancer treatment center for less or non-invasive treatment

I know many may have polar opposite opinions on the best course of action for me but I'm prayerfully and carefully considering MY options and the best plan for ME and my kids. The best thing you can do for me is to pray. For wisdom, peace, healing, faith, determination, and anything else God brings to your mind. 

Lamentations 3:19-25

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
    the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
    and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
    and therefore I have HOPE:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;

I will say you are my GOD; I trust in You! 
My life is in Your hands. Psalm 31:14-15

Do not grieve, for the Joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

His Loving Kindness Endures Forever! Psalm 136

God is still God... He is NOT surprised by this nor has He abandoned me to it. I will continue to TRUST Him and rely on HIS Word as a promise to NEVER leave me or forsake me.

GOD'S GOT THIS and I'm going to continue to kick cancer in the big fat A**!!!!

Fully Trusting Him,
Karla

Surgery update

Hello Dear Followers,

It's been a few days and my head has cleared from the loopy drugs enough to put words in a coherent order :) Actually it wasn't that bad, however, I did NOT sign any important papers while taking said drugs nor did I drive anything but my dogs crazy (when they want to play and you have just enough energy to fill up your water bottle) But they too will survive!

I want to thank you all for praying! From the start of surgery day to the end all went great! If you can say that about having surgery. 

The two procedures: Marking the lumpectomy site and marking the lymph node went as planned and since I was done earlier than expected they bumped up my surgery 2 hours. THIS NEVER HAPPENS!!! The doctor said everything went fine and I should know the pathology results soon. I'm still trusting GOD for there to be no more cancer!

I woke up Monday morning with the phrase "the Joy of the Lord is My Strength" then when Mindy picked me up she prayed we would have lots of laughter. I had many opportunities to share love, joy and laughter throughout the day. From hugs for nurses and 80 yo candy stripers to jokes about all the wonderful jewelry and fancy clothing I was privileged to wear. And who can forget the dance party in the elevator! The giggles, jokes and laughs made the hunger pangs seem like nothing... actually that's a lie! I was so hunger and no one would come to my aid. Some people!

Divine appointments came as well, Just mentioning Jesus' name or prayer opened doors for talking about Jesus. I even got one of the tech guys to play Christian music while he mapped my node. :0) 

I was home mid afternoon and tried and tried to sleep but it would not happen. So Mindy and I watched TV and chatted and I had dinner YUM. Thinking I would sleep all night I "took two and call me in the morning" pills. I did sleep some but not soundly. Which is really weird for me because strong pain meds usually knock me out. But Tuesday and last night I slept really well and napped too. :) 

I'm actually feeling really good today. Of course the pain from surgery is still there but I'm up and about and plan to take the kids to a movie today. I'm sure I'll need a nap after that but it will be good to get out. 

That's all for now. I should know today (I think) about the pathology results and I'll follow up in a couple of weeks with the surgeon to check my healing. Then in a month I'll start radiation. 

*Things for which  I'm thankful:

**My kids are home. I think that may have been part of the reason I didn't sleep. <3 font="">

***Friends who stay with me, bring meals (delicious!), pray, call and text! I love you all and I'm so thankful God brought us together!

****My doctors and nurses who expertly cared for me.

Fully Trusting Him,
Karla

Good News and A Longer Day

I'm starting off with things I'm thankful for:

   Scripture! It's always been my lifeline and this week is no exception. See below what God's been teaching me.
   
   My appts went well and I was even able to take my mom to here 1 year follow up from two knee replacements. All is good with her and she doesn't need to go back for 4 years!
  
   The kids are doing well even though we've had a few rough moments this week. I think we're all tired of waiting for this to get started and definitely can't wait for it to be over.

   For the MANY, MANY people here and around the world who are praying for me. I feel it and I'm humbled.

******

It's been a tough week. Appointments and kids and parents all needing my attention and there were several days I didn't want to think about ANYTHING especially not cancer or being ready for Monday. It seemed that this week, a bunch of little details that needed my attention kept popping up. As soon as one was done there was another thing in the mail to do. Not know how I'm going to feel next week creates this sense of urgency to get it done!

BUT... our gracious God has reminded me over and over to seek Him first. In my Bible Study Group today, Matt Chandler was talking about Colossians 3:1-10. Set my mind on things above and then put to death what is earthly in you. For so long, my pattern has been backward. This was a fresh perspective on an age old problem for me. "Do away with the bad and then focus on the godly" Well, that's not God's prescription for putting to death what is earthly in me. He says to seek the things of God and set my mind there. Then the earthly ways in me, the worry, short temper, need to control, selfishness will diminish. The old Hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus has a chorus that rings true...

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

I can Fully Trust Him to keep His promises. And the promise I'm clinging to right now is that though my earthly self is struggling with parenting, cancer, life right now, when I turn my eyes to Him they fall away. Now they don't GO away because even this afternoon they are very much still there. But my perspective soon becomes His. I can thank Him and praise Him for the trials because they keep me trusting Him for strength and peace. And HIS PEACE is way better, more fulfilling, more complete than anything this world has to offer. A peace that passes earthly understanding. Thank You JESUS!

Now on to details:

Tuesday's MRI was definitely an experience. I'd take a mammogram any day over an MRI. It's not one I'd like to repeat but I made it through. The good news is that the cancer isn't heading toward the nipple so I get to keep it! And that also means it's still a lumpectomy and nothing more. Answered prayer for sure! THANK YOU LORD! 

Radiation Oncology appt was very informative and it looks like I'll start the radiation process about 4 weeks after surgery. They will make a mold for me to lay on so I'm in the same position for every treatment and take a bunch of measurements to get the right settings and then a week later the treatments start. 5 days a week for 6 weeks puts me being finished just before New Years. 

I was on the phone quite a bit today with registration and pre-op stuff but I'm all ready to show up at 6:30 Monday morning for a 2:30 surgery. I know it's WAY TOO EARLY but there are two procedures to do beforehand and my original surgery time was bumped from 1pm. That just means someone is worse off than me and needed my slot. PRAISE JESUS!

Pray I really listen to my body and do what's best for me. I'm going to go one of two ways... Not move at all (which is not good) or do too much (which is really bad). I need to find a balance of getting around without over doing.

Pray the kids sleep well at their friend's house Sunday and Monday nights. That they can focus on school and not worry too much. That they will have understanding teachers if they need someone to talk to.

Pray for everyone I come in contact with Monday. I want to ooze Jesus and cause people to ask me why and be bold enough to share His love with them.

I love you all! Thanks for praying!

Fully Trusting Him,
Karla

Still on Track

I thought I'd give you a little update.

I have my MRI tomorrow, please pray I can hold still for the 30-60 min I'll be in the tube. I've had an MRI on my knee before but I was face up and feet first then. This time I'm going to be face down and head first. I'm not a stomach sleeper so this is going to be a challenge. Most likely uncomfortable but not un-doable :)

Wednesday I have my Radiation Oncologist Consultation to see what kind and how long of radiation I'll need. I get that this is the best treatment plan for my kind of cancer but really don't want to have it. So the least amount to do the best job.

This week is full of putting things in order and taking care of details so your prayers for good time management and clear thinking would be appreciated.

Surgery is still scheduled for Monday October 12th. I show up at 6am but surgery is at 1pm.

Things I'm thankful for:
My time away with my Texas girlfriends. This weekend was scheduled back in July before my diagnosis but God's timing for this getaway was perfect. I reconnected with dear friends, relaxed, laughed and was blessed.

My Sis-in-LOVE Jennifer for SPOILING my kids this weekend! I think we have enough sweets and toys in the house to last till Christmas!

My church! They have set up meals for me after surgery, signed me up for the card ministry that sends encouragement for cancer patients, and sent me multiple emails letting me know they are praying for me.

Mindy! She's going with me to my RadOnc appt AND taking me to the hospital for surgery AND spending the night with me!!! YOU ROCK!

My carpool Moms who've taken over carpool for the week of surgery.

God is still in control and I'm awed once again at His peace that has washed over me!

Love you all and thanks for praying!

Fully Trusting Him,
Karla