Change in plan for surgery..

Hey guys,

Just wanted to update you all on some changes for my upcoming surgery. After conferring with both my reconstructive surgeon and my regular surgeon, we all agreed to go ahead and have a bi-lateral mastectomy. It is no longer referred to as a double-mastectomy, but a bi-lateral mastectomy, with one side being prophylactic (preventative). We were planning on doing the other mastectomy this summer, but after discussing the risks/benefits, we agreed to go ahead and have them both removed at once.

There is a risk taking both breasts at once. If there was infection on either breast, radiation would be delayed, and this was initially the reason for doing the mastectomies one at a time. The risk of infection is very low and with my age and good health, they anticipate the risk to be low. If we waited on the right breast, we would have an additional surgery, which would be a risk as well. So, either way, there are risks, and we made the final decision to go ahead and have the bi-lateral, instead of the uni-lateral. So, a little change in plans, but I know that God knew this would be the case the whole time.

Also, this morning, I had a lymphnosentography (sp?) on my right breast. Back in October when I had my original mammogram, they saw some calcifications on my right breast that they wanted to monitor, but didn't find them highly suspicious. Now that we are doing the right mastectomy on Monday, Dr. Babiera wanted to make sure those calcifications are benign, so I was injected with a dye today in the area of the calcification. Then, I had a scan under my arm where the doctors can see the lymph nodes that the calcification is draining to. Dr. Babiera will take these lymph nodes out on the right as well to send off to pathology with the rest of my breast tissue and all my lymph nodes on the left. I know--that was a mouth full!

My surgery should take between 5 and 6 hours and I will check in for surgery around 5:15 on Monday morning. So, I should be out hopefully around 1:30.

Please pray for my doctors and the wisdom and skill they will need to perform the surgery successfully- to remove everything that needs to be removed and not remove the things that need to stay. Pray for my recovery and for all cancer or trace of cancer to be removed- and to NEVER return.

I am trusting the Lord wholeheartedly. I know He is worthy to be trusted and He constantly reminds me that He has this under control, but yes, fear creeps up. I am thankful to have a big part of this process behind me with having surgery. I just want to be deemed cancer free and know it will never come back. All of my hope is in Jesus. I know He has hand-picked these doctors for me to accomplish the full-realm of His healing.

Angie Richardson, a friend of mine and cancer survivor, has been encouraging others to fast and pray for me during my surgery on Monday. She is incredible. Many have agreed to join her and I am fasting and praying before my surgery. Please pray about this and if you feel led to do so as well, please do. I feel stupid asking or suggesting others to do this, but I can't be ashamed to ask for fervent prayer and fasting. I love the body of Christ!

Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you."

I know the Lord and His name, which makes me trust Him. He will not abandon me as I search for Him, and He won't abandon you as you search Him on my behalf.

I love you all so very much. We will update on how surgery went... I will come out a few pounds lighter:) Glory to God for getting me this far in the process and for total healing!