Faithfully Fighting

"...you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive." -Genesis 50:20 

This is Pete, Lynn's guy. Lynn asked me to fill you in on the updates of her surgery, so here it is: The surgery went well although it was a very long day.
Originally Lynn's surgeon and reconstruct doctors were approximating a 6-6.5 hour time frame and she was actually under for about 8 hours. The mastectomy
was still within Dr. Boyd's (2 hours) estimate but Dr. Lambert - the reconstruction
doctor worked an additional 2 hours, originally est. 4 hours actually around six. We're grateful for both doctors and appreciate the extra care time Dr. Lambert spent in making everything just right.

Lynn looked great when the medical team wheeled her from recovery into her room albeit a bit groggy. Yes it's real good news that Lynn made it over this surgical hurdle and we're so thankful to The Lord, who cares for her and guides
those in the medical field. I want to briefly share with you the "Great news" that happened prior to Lynn even going into surgery, as it really blessed me and will bless you all as well-

On Sunday my Sunday school class sent around a signup list in a card for Lynn
having people commit for a time to lift Lynn up in prayer on her day of surgery.
There were people praying for her from 7:00 am - 11:00 pm yesterday. Of course when my classmate, Suzy gave me the card to give to her, Lynn busted up crying in joy for the love these folks were demonstrating. It gets better -
So I'm with Lynn in the Pre Op admission room early yesterday (surgery day.)
She's holding the card from my Sunday school class with the sign up for comfort. As the time approaches I can sense Lynn is starting to get anxious about what's going to take place soon and I'm feeling it as well. When the various nurses, doctors and anaesthegeologist make there way to check on her before starting Lynn steps out in faith, here it is - She proceeds to tell the medical team,one by one as they enter, "Hey I have good news!" Lynn shows them the card and adds,  "These people signed up to pray for us all day." What a testimony, it not only touched me deeply but the anaesthesiologist becomes visibly moved and holds back some tears. It's a comfort to know God's people show up everywhere, yes?

It edifies me to observe that although we live in a world affected by curses such as cancer as a result of our sin, God uses believers like Lynn, you and me to share with others how a relationship made possible by Jesus' sacrifice made in our place make it possible to "Turn the tables" on evil and use it glorify His Son. It also makes me think that I need not just observe what others like Lynn are testifying to in Jesus name but also question "how can i share my own testimony with others , i.e. what "cancers", large or small are each of us overcoming that we can share with others and demonstrate God's power in our own lives?". 

I am so blessed to have a wonderful, lovely, Godly woman which Lynn is and I thank The Lord for her courage to "Fight Faithfully."

I should blog today.  I know I should, but I’m having trouble putting words together.  Since it may be a while before I write again, let me start with thank you.  I am deeply blessed by all the wonderful prayers and words of encouragement that everyone is sending.  I truly do not feel worthy.

I received a card last night at church.  It is a lovely card, as are all the ones I’ve gotten.  But this one lists hourly times, from 7:00 am until 11:00 pm tomorrow.  Beside those times are the names of specific people that have chosen to pray for me and my family and my doctors during at those hours.  People that have decided to take that time to lift us up during their day.  It overwhelms me!  I am taking that card with me tomorrow to represent all you wonderful folks on the list and all you other folks who I know are also praying.  I have such joy in my heart to be in the company and prayers of magnificent children of our Lord.

Katie is struggling right now.  She had a melt down this morning.  I won’t make light of it, because her 7 year old heart was very, very heavy.  We talked about her fears.  I spent 45 minutes answering questions.  “Where are they taking the bad cells out?; “How do they know they have all of them?”; “How will they roll you over if you are asleep?”;  “Will you have hair when you come home?”; “How long will it be before I can hug you?”

My Oncologist’s office called this morning.  I haven’t seen or heard from them in 2 years.  They wanted to make an appointment for me 5 days after my surgery.  My surgeon’s office called me this morning too.  They called to change my surgery time from 9:30am tomorrow to 7:30 am tomorrow (We have to be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning – talk about adding insult to injury).  Remember the days when you’d call the doctor’s office and they’d never call you back, or call back days later.  From this day forward I’m going to measure my health by how long it takes the office/doctor to call me back.  When they start calling you and you haven’t even called them first, you know you’ve got a problem.

God Bless each and everyone of you!  I will write again when I am able.  Thank you so much for everything!

Love, Lynn

A lot has happened in the couple of days since I have written.  Let’s start with an important item.  I got my bed on Tuesday and it is fantastic!  The really hilarious thing is I have gotten more comments on the new bed than any other thing so far.  I love you guys, you get me!  Even Katie is really excited about the bed, I told her she could sleep with me tonight and this morning before school that’s all she could talk about!

The other important item is I have finally been able to reach out and grab God’s comforting hand.  I’m not sure if it happened when I was on my knees Weds morning before work, or before that, but sometime around then I was able to finally open my heart and let my fear be lifted by the Lord.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I still have my moments.  But I don’t feel like a big wobbly bowl of Jell-O anymore.  Most of the time I can laugh and feel joy, and rejoice, without cold fear rising in my stomach.  I am so blessed to have a patient and loving Lord who waits for me.

The coolest things have been blessing me.  At work yesterday, my good friend took me to lunch, and then my entire group of co-workers had cake and ice cream to send me off with good wishes and a threatening tease to return in March.  I had to fight tears at their caring generosity.  EVERYONE from everywhere is volunteering to help me if I need them and I know they really mean it (and don’t think I won’t be calling, you guys!!).  My dear friend is arranging meals for when I get home.  My cousin wants to knit chemo caps, not just for me, but for the oncology center where I’m going to be going.  Who am I to be so blessed.  Pete always says that if you don’t let people help you when you need it then you are taking away their blessing from God.  I cannot imagine that anyone is as blessed as I am at this moment in my life.

Today I went for pre-op and I’m all signed up for my surgery on Tuesday.  I’ve got my magical, mystical green soapy stuff to scrub with for two days, I’ve said my name, birth date and address at least 30 times, blood has been drawn, chest x-ray’s have been taken, and I’ve got a sign up sheet for a pager for my waiting room waitees.  I’m going to try and talk Pete into blogging for me for the couple of weeks I’m not able to type or write.  I’m hoping to be home this time next week, but no promises on when I’ll be touching base.

Thank you so much for your prayers.  I know that is one of the reasons my fears have settled.  I can actually feel you guys lifting me up to the Lord.  I will boldly ask that you keep up the good work!

Today was doctor day! I got to meet a very nice plastic surgeon today.  I’ve never been to a plastic surgeon’s office before.  It’s very different than any other doctors office, at least this one was.  It was more like a spa.  The place I initially met the doctor had warm colored, comfy couches, with a beautiful coffee table and peaceful pictures on the wall.  He came in and talked about the options and drew pictures and explained things.  Then I went to the examination room, where they gave me a thick, warm bathrobe to put on.  It was soft and lovely.  Why in the world don’t all the doctors give those out?  It made me feel special and unique, rather than a number on a chart.  Ok, ok, I know, plastic surgeons have to “sell” their services.  They want women to feel “cared for” and “pampered” when they come in.  Can I just say IT WORKS!  For a brief few seconds it let me think I was getting a deluxe pedicure or a massage instead of discussing reconstruction of a body part.

Saw the breast surgeon today too.  They picked a date.  January 29.  Next Tues.  Seems really soon to me, but everyone seems to be in a big hurry.  The cancer has shown up so fast they don’t want to give it time to travel farther than it has. 

Tomorrow I get a new bed.  I’ve been wanting one for months, mine is a cheap saggy thing.  I went and ordered one of the sleep number beds and then got a memory foam top for it.  It is ridiculous that a new bed is such an exciting thing to me right now, but I can’t wait. 

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