Surgery on Wednesday!
This is the week of my first-ever major surgery! On Wednesday, I’ll undergo a bilateral mastectomy with implant reconstruction. In layman’s terms, the mastectomy (done by Dr. Francesca Delach) will remove all of my breast tissue, and the reconstruction (done by Dr. Sameer Patel) will place implants where the tissue used to be. There is a likely chance that this will be one of two surgeries. Only 10% are able to go “direct to implant.” If my skin needs time to recover, expanders will be placed instead, and I will have another surgery later to place the implants. There are pros and cons to each of these options. I am asking the Lord to make the best option unquestionably clear to Dr. Patel during surgery. I feel in good hands with both Dr. Delach and Dr. Patel. So grateful for these two wonderful, caring, skilled doctors! And my deepest calm comes from knowing that the Greatest Physician, God himself, oversees the whole process. He has careful watch over my life. He knows my bodily makeup better than anyone because he formed me. He hems me in behind and before and has placed his hand on me (Psalm 139). I know I’m ultimately in the best hands.
Here is the timeline for those who like to pray specifically:
Tuesday 9/10 (the day before surgery):
3:30 PM - I go to Nuclear Medicine at the Abington Hospital to get a “tracer” injected at my cancer site. This tracer will highlight the “sentinel” lymph node(s) so the surgeon knows which node(s) to remove for pathology testing during surgery.
Wednesday 9/11 (surgery day):
5:30 AM - We arrive at the hospital for prep.
7:30 AM - Surgery begins. This is a 4-6 hour procedure.
Afternoon/evening - Post surgery I will be spending 1 night in the hospital. Anthony will post an update after surgery as soon as I’m settled.
Thursday, 9/12 (post surgery): I will be heading home with 4 drains (for 2 weeks). Total recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
As I head into surgery, I am comforted that my Good Shepherd goes with me to guide, protect and navigate every detail of my path. As I study my way through the Psalms, Psalm 23 was timely. Thank you, Jesus, for watching over every aspect of my life and providing exactly what I need:
Psalm 23 (translation by Dale Ralph Davis)—
Yahweh* is my shepherd; I will never lack anything.
He makes me lie down in grassy pastures; he guides me beside restful waters;
He restores my life; he leads me in paths of righteousness on account of his name.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear disaster, for you are with me; your club and your staff—they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me, right in front of my enemies; you have anointed my head with fragrant oil; my cup simply runs over.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I shall turn in to the house of Yahweh for length of days.
(*Yahweh or YHWH in Hebrew is God’s personal name)
Thank you for your prayers. We don’t take for granted that you go to God on our behalf! Here are some specifics to guide you as you pray:
For courage as we anticipate Wednesday. We’re ready to be on the other side of this!
For skill and wisdom for Dr. Delach and Dr. Patel during surgery. They both have tedious jobs, and every human body has its unique makeup and challenges. Pray for alertness and clarity to make discerning decisions in the moment. Pray particularly for Dr. Patel to make the best decision between “direct to implant” or expanders.
That my body will respond well in surgery, and it would be a seamless, uncomplicated procedure.
That there was no spread of cancer to the lymph nodes, so I can avoid radiation.
For peace as we await pathology results. My recent MRI indicated a “complete response” (ie: no cancer present). Please pray pathology confirms this!
A blood test this week revealed that my liver is inflamed again. Please pray that it calms down and that the Lord delivers me from long-term liver issues. (I will have another blood test 2 weeks after surgery to track it).
For our kids this week - Maddie (at college) is struggling with not being here for the surgery. Asher (a Junior in high school) is navigating school and work while watching Mom recover at home.
For Anthony and my Mom (Cindy) that the Lord will give them peace as they sit in the waiting room through my surgery. The hours can feel long as they wait for news. They will also be my primary caregivers at home over these next weeks. Pray for endurance, sleep and patience. Anthony is taking leave from the church for about 3 weeks to care for me.
That the Lord will give us opportunities to speak of Jesus to our many new friends in the medical community.
Pictures: (1) Anthony and I enjoyed a beautiful day at Longwood Gardens (2) Asher’s first day of 11th grade this week (3) Maddie’s first day of classes as a Freshman at Pitt