And so Begins the Fight

So this initial post will be simply to give you all the details.  Yes, I can post them on face book, but this way people can sort out how much they want and need to know.  For those of you who have followed my blog or writing in the past, I do intend to get back to that through out this process but again, today is simply to answer the pile of questions that are coming in. 

After speaking with the surgeon last night, I continue to feel peace about this.  He explained that this lump was still with in the small range.  An unexpected blessing last night was that the MRI results were in.  We didn't anticipate those until later in the week.  What they showed was that this is an isolated lump.  There are no others.  As I may have mentioned, the ultrasound showed an enlarged teleporter, the MRI did not.  So while they will still go in and take that first one, I would ask you to continue to pray with me that God is just in the process of healing that area and they will find that there is nothing of any concern there.

I am scheduled for a lumpectomy this Thursday, Feb. 14th at 10:00. It is an out patient procedure.  He feels it will be a simple procedure and had no cause for concern.  Several of you have asked about stages.  This is not something he has discussed.  He has shown me a diagram that says stage 1-2 but that's it.  I don't think he puts much emphasis on that. 

Something that I did not know before is that while it is true, that if you have a history of breast cancer in your family your more likely to get it, but 80% of women who get breast cancer have no family history.  I am one of those 80%.  So I trust that God has his own reason for allowing, not causing, allowing this to occur in my body at this specific time.

The only negative piece of this is my age.  The sweet news is, he called me young.  The not so sweet news is he called me young.  Because I am youngish, they treat more aggressively for long term reasons.  They are much more about future prevention with us youngish types.  What does that mean for me?  It means instead of 3 weeks of radiation for you 55+ ladies, I get 7 weeks of DAILY radiation.  No, I will not be glowing like Ginormica in Monsters vs. Aliens in case you were wondering, and Brian, I think that will qualify me keeping a portion of my super powers. ;0) 

So I am initially looking at about a 12 week time frame.  I say initially because they will also be checking out the three other areas that breast cancer can spread into, liver, lungs, and bones.  Feel free to be praying for a clean bill of health in those three areas but again because of my age, he said they tend to respond aggressively rather than passively, but that is information coming further down the road.   

One step at a time, one day at a time, one uncertainty or question at a time.  That is all God wants us to process.  We need not borrow tomorrows worries, as all of you know from personal experiences, today has enough of it's own. 

 I want to again tell you all how grateful I am for the incredible prayer support you are providing.  I would have never guessed that I would get that diagnosis and feel so unbelievably peaceful.  Our home continues to be a haven of rest and I know that this is by the grace of God.  I would be lying if I said there haven't been moments of sadness or tears that snuck out, but God has truly prepared my hands for war for this season and I am feeling strong in him and ready to fight.  I welcome any and all of you on my team.  Please understand that any un-returned phone calls or messages are not a personal affront to you or your family.  I will do what I can, when I can but I appreciate your patience and understanding if I don't get back to you.  I will keep you as updated as I possibly can, as I know everyone wants to know what is going on and this will be the quickest way to get the word out to as many as I can. I am truly blessed by all the prayers, meals, gifts, and the general attitude of help that you all have poured out on us.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart, cause you don't want a thank you from the bottom of my breast.  Trust me.      

This verse has been my covering so I want to share it with you now.

Isaiah 26:3,4

You will keep in perfect peace, those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in the you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.