First on a lighter note…Philip finally lost his first tooth yesterday, just 13 days shy of his 6th birthday! To say he was excited just doesn’t cut it; he was delighted, jumping for joy and couldn’t get the smile off his face! The tooth had been very loose, especially yesterday as it hung by a thread, but he had been unwilling to touch it and wouldn’t allow us to touch it either. I guess after refusing to eat for almost 22 hours and having the tooth flapping around in his mouth he decided it was time to remove it. I was shocked when he handed the tooth to me; he actually pulled it out himself. All the fear that had been built up in him for so long was gone in a moment and with no pain; hopefully he will remember this experience for the next tooth. Hopefully Elizabeth has taken note of Philip’s experience and her first loose tooth won’t be as dramatic.
We continue to place our fears in the hands of our Father as we face Friday and the treatments to come. I’m scheduled for surgery this Friday, April 3 at 8:30 a.m. for a re-excision lumpectomy. It is my understanding now that I will be put under for this procedure but not as deeply as I was for the first surgery (I hope that translates to “less grogginess”). We are praying that the surgeon is able to remove the remaining cancer so we don’t have to go back for any additional surgeries. Our understanding is that they won’t do this procedure more than 3 times, after that a mastectomy is the only option.
We met with the surgeon on Monday. He said that due to my age and the type of cancer, high nuclear grade, that it is possible the oncologist will want me to have chemotherapy before radiation. We are thankful that the cancer wasn’t found in the lymph nodes which normally means no chemo (that was the explanation at our first consultation) but our celebration of "no chemo needed" may have been premature. We are thankful the Lord knows what treatment I will face and we will continue to trust Him with the details. As soon as I find out the official type of treatment I will let you know. The surgeon has also strongly encouraged genetic testing to make sure I don’t have one of the BRCA genes which would put me at greater risk of having ovarian and other cancers. We have this appointment scheduled for May.
For now we are just taking one day at a time and placing our every need at the feet of Jesus. He is walking this path with us leading us the entire way. Nothing is a mystery to Him! It is a comfort to know He is in control, He knows what lies ahead and He will not give us more than we can handle.
It is also a comfort and encouragement to know that so many family, friends and people whom we have never met are lifting us up in prayer to the throne of Jesus. Thank you for your love and concern for us! We love you and thank God for all of you! To Him be the glory for what great things He has done, is doing and will do!
2 Corinthians 1:11
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
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