Monday, January 29, 2007

MONDAY GREETINGS

I can't believe that one week ago today I was packing up my "hospital" gown and heading home; it seems like so long ago!! God has met my every need during the past seven days and I am healing and resting day by day. To God be the glory. It was really hard for me to miss church yesterday but Marvin went and filled me in on the great services. We have such a wonderful church family.
Tomorrow at 3:15 I will see Dr. Hardcastle for another check up and hopefully hear from the other pathology reports. These two reports will give us some answers as to what type of treatments will be next. I don't understand a lot about Estrogen Receptor Evaluations and Her-2 tests but by this time tomorrow I know I should. I will try to get those updates to you as soon as possible. From what I understand, I don't want to hear that the cancer was positive for estrogen so I am praying that God will work all that out for me. Whenever I find myself getting "anxious" about the unknown I turn to my Bible and read Philippians 4-6&7 and that brings my focus right back to The One who grounds my heart and mind!! It is also reassuring to know that you are all praying for me as well. Marvin and I thank you for all the phone calls, cards, prayers and visits; what a blessing you have been to us. Also, to my sweet husband, wonderful girls, great "sons" and precious grand babies---"YOU give me the strength and hope to "never give up"!!! God bless you all, Judy

Friday, January 26, 2007

My Strength Comes From the Lord

Greetings to all! Yesterday, Thurs. Jan. 25, we went for our first doctors appointment since the surgery. Healing is going well but we are still waiting for the rest of the pathology reports to come in. Right now I just need to rest and take things easy. Marvin and the girls are making sure I do just that!!! When I woke this morning (Friday) I was reminded that this time last week I was just coming out of the operating room; it seems like so long ago. God has been so good to me, each day I feel stronger and stronger--not only in my health, but in my spirit. Marvin and I have been sharing some sweet time in prayer and thanksgiving and that has really been special to me. God has met my every need (Ephesians 6:10-"My strength comes from the Lord"). I praise him also for each one of you. I wish I had the time to call and thank each of you individually for all you have done but I just hope in your hearts you already know how much I love you. You too have been a blessing and a strength in my life these past seven days and I thank God for you always.
Love you, Judy

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

To God Be The Glory!

Greetings to all of you. Today was my first full day home from the hospital and I have rejoiced in every single minute. It's amazing how four little words "you have breast cancer" can change your whole life but it's even more amazing how the "peace that passes understanding" will take away all the fear!! To all of you, my dear friends and family, my heart can't even begin to express my gratitude to each one of you for every prayer, card, phone call, and visit. When I went into surgery I felt so wrapped in your love and prayers I had no doubt that God was there too. Today (Tues.) we received a phone call from my surgeon with the first results from pathology. The report was good; he removed 29 lymph nodes and all 29 tested negative----no cancer there! You can imagine how happy we were to get that wonderful news and after many tears of joy we fell on our knees and gave thanks to "Our Great Physician". My next appointment is Thursday at 2:30, the rest of the lab work should be back by then. I will send an update as soon as I can to keep you posted. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for everything!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY. Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Love to all, Judy

Monday, January 22, 2007

Judy is Home!

Judy went home from the hospital this afternoon! The Dr. said that things looked great. She will go back later in the week for a check, but she feels good and is ready for some much needed rest at home! He did warn her to be extra cautious about illnesses and being around people who are sick, so please be mindful of that before going for a visit! She thanks everyone again for the prayers and support. She hopes to post her own comments to the site soon! Thanks!

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Saturday Morning

I just spoke with my dad and he said that my mom had a good night. She got some rest and isn't in any pain (thanks to the pain medication!). Dr. Hardcastle came in last night and said that she looks great and couldn't be doing any better. He will not get the report from the Pathologist until Tuesday, but he is almost certain that everything will be fine from the tests. He did not believe that the cancer had spread to any of the lymph nodes at all. That will be such an answer to prayer!

My mom sends her love and her thanks to everyone for their prayers and support. She is hoping to rest as much as possible while she is in the hospital so that she can have her strength back when she gets home. Please pray for continued healing and time for her to rest!

Friday, January 19, 2007

Surgery's Over

Mom is out of surgery and in recovery, awake and talking to the doctors. She'll be moved to a room shortly.

The surgeon reported to my dad that the surgery couldn't have gone any better. There was very little bleeding and he was very pleased with the outcome. Dr. Hardcastle will get the pathology report later tonight or in the morning, so he'll have more specific information on the cancer then.

Dad, Jill and Pam were at the hospital this morning along with several other family friends. Dad said that despite the reason they were there, they had a really good time catching up with some friends that he hadn't seen in a very long time. Dad did make the comment that with 3 preachers there waiting for Mom to get out of surgery, they were likely to have revival right there in the waiting room!

Thank you all for your prayers this morning. You have no idea how much it means to all of us to know that Mom was completely covered in prayer and lifted up before the throne of God. We will continue to pray for her protection as she goes through recovery and then for strength as she starts chemo in a few weeks.

We'll update again when we know more!

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Friday, January 19, 2007

Judy goes in for surgery on Friday at 9:30. She'll have a radical mastectomy and all of the lymph nodes on the left side removed. Please keep her, Dr. Hardcastle and Marvin in your prayers. We'll update again as soon as we can after the surgery.