Surgery

I'll be totally honest, this is all moving so quickly it kinda freaks me out. Today I scheduled my surgery. It hasn't even been a month since my diagnosis.

Just before 8 am on Monday, June 13th, I will willing go in for a radioactive injection near my known cancer site to identify the sentinel nodes (lymphatic mapping) that they'll scan and check for cancer. From there, I'll go directly to the hospital (across the parking lot) to check in for surgery. And then the surgeon will remove both of my breasts (bilateral mastectomy) and any affected lymph nodes. *sigh*

Praise report:
I got word today that I'm not the only who got scheduled for surgery. Unfortunately, my dad has to wait til mid July to have his cancer removed, but at least he is scheduled. We will continue to trust God through this process, but sometimes it is so difficult.
We were offered both a freezer and a recliner today. Both are in Grants Pass/Cave Junction and we no longer have a truck, so we'll have to see if that's going to work. Anyone want to pick these up for us? 😊

At the request of family and friends, both near and far, a donation account was set up at our bank and a meal train will be organized in the next day or two. We'll have the details of both available here as soon as possible.

Prayer request:
Please pray that the cancer has not spread to my lymph nodes.
Pray for peace for my whole family, especially my dad as he waits.
Please continue to pray for our financial provision. There are so many costs outside of our medical coverage and the stress of it is already taking it's toll.
Lastly, and most vulnerably, please pray for an opportunity to present itself for Charlie and I to have a night alone together before I go in for surgery. This is never an easy arrangement for us, but I desperately feel the need to be husband and wife, to love and grieve freely this major change away from our parental responsibilities.  PRAYER ANSWERED!

12 days...
A few thoughts had occurred to me this week that I wanted to share. I've received so many love notes and words of encouragement, and with them, many questions. I hope this helps some of you understand where I'm coming from ❤

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17

God's plans for me (and you) are for good, not evil. I can rest in knowing that he has approved this trial, this cancer, and allowed it to happen for my good. And for his glory. That is my focus. I will not go so far as to say that my cancer is a gift, but I will say that only he sees the bigger picture. I have only one job: To glorify him in it. That is where my hope comes from. That is why I choose JOY.