Making Progress

Well, I am making great progress in my recovery. Yesterday I stopped taking all pain medications. My appetite is getting much better. Today I had the strength and desire to go to church! A family at our church has been waiting to adopt 2 children from Haiti. The adoption process was expedited due the hurricane and they were at the 9:00 service! It was neat to get a chance to meet them. Through music, we were also reminded that the ancient word of the Lord was written down long ago to assist us on our walk through life. What a gift he has given us in his word!

Surgery - If you want details

I believe I am on a post surgery high (if there is such a thing)! Yesterday didn't go quite as we expected it to, it was better. I was up helping the girls get ready for school and as we said good-bye, the first round of tears came. I had to start prepping the area for surgery at 8:00. We left the house at 9:30 and went to the hospital where I peed in a cup for a pregnancy test which came back negative - WHOOHOO! Then we had to go downstairs to the radiology department. This is when the second round of tears came. As I laid there having the Dr. put the dye in, the Bible verses that so many of you have sent played over and over in my mind and I was at peace. Next stop was the Bone and Breast center for the guide wires. We waited and waited, and finally about 45 minutes past my scheduled time, I was called back. To make a long story short, the procedure on the woman who was scheduled in front of me to have guide wires placed was not going well. I was informed of the situation, covered with a blanket, and told to just relax, it might be a while. Normally this would have upset me, but yesterday I immediately started to pray for her. Eventually they returned to me and I was overjoyed to learn that the Doctor who would place the wires was FEMALE! It was a bit uncomfortable, but I was a good patient and it went smoothly. It was already going on 2:00 when we headed back to the hospital. I was sent right back for surgery prep and Randy was able to go with me. From the time I got into the gown and on the bed, time went very quickly as lots of doctors and nurses came in for various reasons. My parents came and then Kylie and Keagan were also able to see me before surgery. When they offered me some "I really don't care what you do to me" medicine in the i.v., I took it. I liked it so much, I took it twice before surgery! This is the part where I really don't remember much! The next thing I know I was waking up and shortly after that I was wheeled back to room 8. I think it was Randy who first told me that the surgery went quickly and Dr. Hoberman had given him a great report. After I ate and drank a bit, the nurse told me I could go home as soon as I felt like I could stand up. You know me, I said "Let's try it!" Twenty minutes later we were headed home! Knowing that this is the beginning of a long journey, I am so thankful for great doctors, nurses, family and friends who are all keeping me lifted in prayer. I honestly felt all of you lifting me up yesterday and for that, I thank you.

Home, Sweet Home

It is now 7:25 and we are all home, including Mom. The surgery went very well today. Dr. Hoberman only had to take two lymph nodes from her arm pit. The lump itself came out very easily. Surgery took less time than expected. 

I was very anxious waiting for the news about my mom. I was so happy to finally see her after the operation. Bless God for the good news. I just want to thank everyone for all the prayers you all sent up to Heaven today.... it means a lot. 

Love, 

            Keagan

Today was a very slow day at school. Just waiting to see my mom in the hospital before surgery was antagonizing. After school, I picked up Keagan and we got in touch with our dad and he said we can come see her for a little while. So, we went to the hospital and said hi and good luck and our we love you's! I still went to open lodge at our church this afternoon and that was a great way to get my mind off of things for a while. I contacted Keagan when open lodge was done and she told me mom was out and dad was already in seeing her and Jen, Dave, Mason, Grandma and Grandpa with our neighbor Staci were all in the waiting room. Hearing this, I left open lodge and went to the hospital. No more than a half an hour later, we were taking her home! :)

I just want to thank everyone for their encouragement and prayers. Right now, the best medication is prayers! :) God is great and He does great things.....especially beating and fighting cancer! 

Kylie

           

The Hamilton El. staff had a pink party on Wednesday.  The pink "Life is Good" hat was a gift to me.  On Friday, our school will be having a hats for Haiti day.  Since I won't be there, staff was invited to make a donation in my honor.  I am truly blessed to work with such loving, caring, creative people.  Thanks again everybody!

THANK YOU!!

All I can say is THANK YOU!  Thanks to many friends and family members, this day was not as miserable as I  had anticipated.  I am anxious for tomorrow, but I have no reason to doubt that God will get me through.  The girls and I will do our best to keep the blog updated as much as we can!

Normal Day

Today felt somewhat normal!  The day started with a workout at MVP.  I felt great during the workout.  I got finished and wondered how there could possibly be anything wrong with me physically.  I feel fine!  Later in the day I was reminded that cancer is SNEAKY!  

This afternoon we had a great fifth grade spelling bee.  I was so proud of all of the participants.  

After school, a friend who is currently fighting cancer was kind enough to meet me for a visit after school.  We talked and talked and I couldn't believe it when I walked out of Wendy's and it was still light out at 5:45.  Spring is just around the corner, right?  Thanks for spending that time with me, friend!

At home, life goes on as normal.  Quick dinner, homework, and Kylie is off to the High School basketball game.  Meanwhile, the rest of us are home cheering for MSU over Michigan.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I enjoy reading your comments.  A simple "hi"makes me smile.  I have printed out a whole bunch of little pink ribbon bookmarks.  If you send me a bible verse that will give me encouragement through this, I write your name and the specific verse on one and put it in my bible.  

That's it for tonight.  Hoping for a good night of sleep and a productive day at Hamilton Elementary tomorrow.  

Go State!

Monday, Monday

After a great night of sleep,  I made it over another hurdle today.  With the help of great friends and co-workers, we were able to share the news with my students.  It wasn't easy.  I must admit that I did enjoy getting hugs from most of them!  

Thank you all for your prayers and acts of kindness.  

Emotional Days

These past few days have been very emotional.  Every time I am put into a situation with people who I know and love for the first time since I have learned that I have cancer, I break down.  The tears just flow down my cheeks and all I want to do is get out of the situation.  This morning at church, for example, loving, caring people came to me with hugs and words of encouragement.  I got an instant headache.  Why is that?  

Please pray this week.  Pray that I can sleep for more than 3 hours a night.  Pray that things will go smoothly at school.  Ask God to bring peace and PATIENCE to our home.  Pray that for every 1 successful surgery done in Holland, 100 will be done in Haiti!

Surgery

The surgery has been scheduled for next week Thursday, January 28.  Prep begins at 8:00 a.m. and the procedure is scheduled to start at 3:45.  That is going to be one long day!

Can't Sleep

It is 12:45 a.m. and I cannot sleep.  Last week Friday, January 15, 2010, I received a phone call from Dr. Hoberman informing me that the biopsy she had taken of a lump in my breast was indeed showing signs of cancer.  This past Tuesday, I had an MRI and yesterday Randy and I met with Dr. Hoberman to review all results and determine what needs to be done next.  

What we know at this point is that it is labeled DCIL which basically means it started in a milk duct.  The size of the tumor is approximately 2.5 cm wide.  The MRI is indicating that some cancer cells may be spreading to more like 4 cm out.  The first step in dealing with this is surgery.  I want the thing out of me, so I am hoping for as early as next week Thursday, January 28.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. -Matthew 6:34