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Before we talk about surgery . . .
I still have all my fingernails and toenails after my manicure and pedicure yesterday. I’m sure you were all losing sleep worrying about that, so I just wanted to let you know that first thing. 🙂 Now that my fingers and toes are pretty, I’m ready for surgery.
Last night I celebrated with friends! We celebrated chemo being over, my good PET scan results and just getting as far as I have in this fight. We had dinner, chatted, prayed and just enjoyed being together. I am so thankful for these ladies (and many others) who have helped in so many ways the past 6 months!
Today Mom and I drove up to Nordstrom for a fitting for a post-surgical camisole and bra. The camisole has pockets to hold the drains, (which look like grenades in pictures). There’s also a large piece of padding I can use in both the bra and the camisole to adjust as needed so I’m not too lopsided when I am feeling up to leaving the house. It was a very pleasant experience, even though I wish I had just been shopping for fun. While I was finishing up the paperwork, I was able to chat with a women who had a mastectomy 17 years ago. So many people have been through what I am about to go through and it was nice that even a total stranger, could relate (and give me a hug).
We had planned to stay at the mall and shop, but I was too tired, so we came home and took a nap. 🙂 The girls will be getting off the bus in about 30 minutes and we’ll do homework, practice the piano and they will go to AWANA. At some point I’ll pack my bag for the hospital. Tom will come home from work. We’ll try to sleep as best we can tonight as tomorrow will be on our minds.
Now on to surgery . . .
Tomorrow morning (Thursday, 4/14) I check in at Valley Medical Center at 8 am, but surgery will not be until around 3 pm because of the sentinel node biopsy (testing a lymph node) and wire localization procedure (placing a marker in to help with surgery).
Tom will be with me at the hospital and I believe can be with me for most of the time up until the surgery. It’s an all day date! Woohoo! How fun! But seriously, I am looking forward to having time with just him to chat. 🙂
As you pray for our family tomorrow, will you pray specifically for:
- Peace as we await the surgery and also as we await the pathology report after the surgery
- Wisdom for the surgeons and nurses
- Mom and the girls as they have a busy day of school and just normal things around the house
- That the tumor has shrunk enough so the surgeon can get clean margins and be confident that she removed everything she needed to
- That the lymph node biopsy will come back clear so only minimal surgery will be needed for that area
- My blood sugar to not be a problem as I can’t eat or drink anything after midnight and surgery is a LONG TIME from then
- That I will not be anxious about not having my glasses or contacts just before and just after surgery. My eyes are so bad, it’s hard to be in a situation like that and have everything be very blurry.
- For courage to share the gospel throughout the day as I’m wheeled around and interacting with a lot of people
Thanks for praying for our family tonight and tomorrow. I have no idea what tomorrow or the days after will hold, but am thankful that I serve a God who does know and who promises to always be with me.
Christy is going to update my blog’s Facebook page throughout the day tomorrow when I can’t. Even if you do not have a Facebook account, you’ll still be able to see the updates (but you won’t be able to comment or like them). That is the easiest way for me to keep everyone informed of what’s going on.
Praying for all of these requests and for you to feel God’s supernatural peace surround you throughout all procedures. God bless you and keep you. Bonnie
Keep that positive attitude you have had all along . It no doubt will be a long day for you , all our love and hearts are on the bed with you don’t forget that and best of all God will be guiding all of their hands as the begin. We love you, be strong and positive
We’re praying for you today, dearest “daughter!” May you feel at peace this evening, enjoy your family, eat well until shortly before midnight, and wake up feeling ready to take this next big step. We’re praying for clear margins and clear minds! Add to your Nordstrom arsenal the breastplate of righteousness. 🙂 Hugs and kisses from us and our family.
YOU ARE AMAZING!! Yes, I will pray for all of your requests and then some!! Your beautiful smile and loving spirit will shine through to everyone tomorrow of your love for the powerful, almighty, all knowing, wise, merciful and loving God that has brought you to this point and will carry you through. He is a good God that will hold you in His arms tonight, tomorrow and always. Your Lord and Savior will beat down any fear you have and build you up with His courage and strength. I love you and will carry you in my prayers all day tomorrow. Sweet dreams sweet friend.
Praying for you Jennifer! You are loved by so many but most of all by your Lord and Savior Jesus.
Flashback….celebrating with my daughter…..last night with the “twins”. I’m so glad you went out with your friends!! It certainly was therapeutic for me. the sentinel node lead to taking out 29 (19 were cancerous), but that was done the same time as my mastectomy. By evening I was in my room with my arms behind my head and with not that much discomfort. The drains were somewhat uncomfortable, but tolerable. Keeping you in my prayers tonight and tomorrow that God will give you peace, and comfort, and strength, and that you will have a speedy recovery!! Just remember…..you are still the real you… Jennifer and Mommy, just minus some fat and tissue!! Love and HUGS Jennifer!!
This is when it’s hard to live so far away from you! Sending internet hugs and praying for you continuously tonight and tomorrow. May you know His presence with you during this time…knowing that He took the cruelest pain for you already…whatever pain you experience tomorrow has already been felt by Him and you can trust His hand to take you through this. I pray that you find Him in the aftermath of what they need to do to your body in order to remove the cancer and I pray for clear margins and especially that the sentinel node (s) will be negative so that you won’t have to be getting removal of any more of those. ♥ Praying for all of you, as your whole family is going through this with you…peace and hope be the blessings you each experience tonight and tomorrow ♥ your port sister
I will be praying for you tonight, tomorrow and throughout the weekend. The Dr.’s are very skilled and with God’s guidance everything will go as planned. May God give you strength, courage and peace. Jen, you have been such a blessing and encouragement to others throughout all of this.
Continuing to lift all of you up in prayer…for God’s healing grace to surround you physically, mentally,emotionally & spiritually. Praying that your margins will be clear, your pain well controlled, and that He would wrap His arms of love around each one of you and give you HIS peace which passes all understanding
Will be praying for you and your family.
Praying for you and all involved.
Your smile, your light, your peaceful presence…that is what I saw in you, when we met barely a year ago. You are a reflection of God. I feel so blessed to know you and to have the privilege of praying for you throughout this journey. Praying for peace as the hours go by, for medical wisdom and guidance, for healing.
P.S. Make sure you get a few good pics of “the girls,” for old time’s sake 🙂
I will be praying for you Jennifer!
Praying for you!
Dennis and I will be praying for you. Praying for the family as well.
Good to see you having a great time with friends!
Thankful Tom’s mom can be there to support your family.
Hown nice You and Tom will have time together.Will be praying for your requests!⚘
Hugs❣
Bless you, dear child of His! My prayers will carry your concerns. He’s already gone before you & will guide your surgeon’s hands. May He open doors along the way for you & Tom to share of your faith & trust, but mostly peace through the storm. Love you!
Jennifer, you continue to remain on our minds and hearts as we lift you to the Lord for all your needs. You have proven to remain a faithful follower of Christ even through your suffering. What a blessing and encouragement you have been to others! May God be ever close to you every step of the way.
Jennifer, we are praying for peace throughout today and that God will guide the surgeon’s hands and especially that all the margins will be clean and that only minimal surgery needs to be done. I am also praying for your mom and girls and Tom that they too will experience the peace that only the Lord can give us. We love you Jennifer and we have a lot of people in Missoula, Montana praying for you and your entire family today. Love you, Aunt Carol
Sweet Jennifer, you and your family are in my prayers. Throughout the day I will carry you with me. His Word tells us, “Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” May His peace that surpasses all understanding fill your heart and mind today, tomorrow and all the days that follow, knowing how very much He loves you. Our God created the universe, yet He can still curl up in your heart. Love and blessings, Nancy
I didn’t know what time your surgery was, but God did – and I just happen to be reading this and praying for you as you are wheeled in to surgery. May His angels surround and protect you. May the Great Physician guide the hands of your doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, technicians…And may the God of Peace give Tom, your girls, your parents, and everyone who loves you comfort as they wait for news of your surgery and recovery.
Love you, Sister!
Stay safe xx