Part 2

So the last 3 weeks have been heavenly. I'm starting to feel better and I'm able to do more things again. David and I have stayed up late watching Netflix shows, the kids and I have run a zillion errands, I've been cooking more meals and desserts, we have played and had lunch with friends, and we have just been living life. It has been wonderful to start to feel normal again. My hair is even starting to come back. Yay! (I'm still wearing my hat, but hopefully not for much longer. I literally can't wait to go see Anita and get an actual short hair style!!)

Today I am asking for prayers again. I will be having a double mastectomy on Monday, June 26th at 7:15 am. This is part 2 of my treatment. The doctors have told me that chemo and this surgery are the hardest parts, and it will be much easier after this. (I'm totally going to hold them to that.)

Please pray for my children. They are all a little nervous about me being in the hospital and about spending so much time away from home. I know they will have a good time, but it will be a little bit of a change for them. I like having my babies close, so that will be a change for me too. The Lord has been SO good to guard their hearts this far, and I know He will continue to do that. 

Please also pray for me and David. We are both so ready for this surgery to be over, but we dread the recovery and all the changes it will bring. I'm getting more emotional about everything this surgery entails. I don't really want my body to change, and I dread all the surgeries to follow.

I do know that without this surgery, I will not get better. Please pray for an easy recovery and NO complications. We will get the pathology results about a week after my surgery. Please pray for good results and good margins. Also, specifically, please pray that my cancer has not changed. I am having my port removed (because I HATE it) and the only reason I would need it after surgery is if my cancer has changed from HERnegative to HERpositive. Please pray it stays negative. I don't want to have to put that stupid port back in. Please pray that I will be cancer free after this surgery. I will probably have to do radiation next, but I'm really hoping to get EVERY SINGLE cancer cell out of my body with this surgery!

Thank you so much for praying for me. When I think about how many people have been praying for me and my family, it truly brings tears to my eyes. I will be forever grateful for how you have loved us through the last 6 months. It has been such a hard road, but I have truly seen the goodness of God. I know that may sound weird to some of you, but I know there is a purpose for my suffering. If you ever have any questions or want to know more about God, please feel free to leave me a comment and I will contact you. I have been blessed to have spent most of my life following Jesus, but this year, he has never been more real to me. I am such a mess, and I am so grateful that he died for my sins and has made me a new creation. He is not just a God of rules and regulations. He is a God who loves his children and sacrificed everything for us. I cannot imagine saying goodbye to my family, but this year has made me long for Heaven and His presence more than ever. This broken world we live in is so hard and scary at times, but I am so thankful for a savior who will wipe away every tear. His love makes this tough road worth it.

Here are some pictures of my sweet kiddos last week. We rewarded them with a "Fun Family Day." They have been SO helpful at home, so loving, so sweet, and just generally amazing. We went to Chick fil A for lunch, Dave and Busters to play games, Northpark to see Cars 3, Chili's for dinner, and then ice cream treats to end the evening. It was such a fun time to just enjoy each other and be a normal family again.

Thank you again for praying! I love each and every one of you reading this blog, and I pray that you will see the goodness of God through every step of this journey we are on. I will update after surgery. 

"Let us approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrew 4:16

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus or Lord." Romans 8:38-39

"Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior." Psalm 38:21-22