Surgery.

 The biggest thing that I think we all took away from surgery day was LOVE.  It was a super overwhelming day...obviously for our patient...but for all of us.  I don't think any of us will ever forget the love that enveloped us that day.

As the surgery date approached, I felt myself getting more and more anxious about it.  It wasn't that I didn't think God had it under control...I KNEW He did...it was just the finality of what a double mastectomy meant for Auntie.  Auntie had dealt with the reality far longer than I had...because it was not happening to me; I had my kids and life to escape to so that it wasn't always weighing on me.  But as it got closer, it got really hard for my heart to take.  My worldly self just kept going back to the finality of surgery.  What God taught me was that what I kept viewing as an end was really just a new beginning for Auntie that He graciously gave her.  Auntie already "got it"...I was slower to figure it out!  Thankfully He is patient with me!!

We were so blessed to get to spend the evening before surgery at the house together, eating dessert and just enjoying each other.  It was a precious evening that I am so grateful we had.  I can't believe we didn't take a picture...but it was a joyous evening.  We let the kids stay up past their bedtimes because no one wanted to leave...leaving meant going home to bed...to wake to the reality of surgery day.

Wednesday morning, as I was pulling into the school parking lot to drop Cal and Gray off, I received a text with pictures of Mrs. Owens' prayer warriors turquoised out!!  It was instant tear-inducing.  Humbled.  Overwhelmed.  Loved.  Grateful.  Scared.  Nervous.  All of those emotions left me a bawling mess as I dropped Cal off at her class.  I will never forget the hugs from each of the teachers throughout the hall...and the shared tears and precious words of encouragement.  Mrs. Owens is SO loved.  There was SO. MUCH. TURQUOISE!!!  It was such a neat thing to see....kids, teachers, signs, wow!!!

I left the school to run back home so I could pick up Josi LaRu and head to the hospital.  I had been so overwhelmed with emotions and had cried a lot and it was on the drive home that I felt God speak to me.  It finally hit my heart that this was NOT the end...this is her new beginning!!  God knew that I needed that right then and I am thankful for His grace.  It was definitely the lift that I needed so I wouldn't go and cry in the waiting room all day!!  That SO would not have been what my Bud Ter needed!!

Little Miss Jo Ru kept us very entertained...she was a great distraction from reality in the waiting room!  And can I just say what an honor it is to have my Bud Ter as my uncle.  He's been my Bud Ter since I was a tiny little thing and he has ALWAYS been the best guy.  I've loved him so much my whole life and watching him walk through this with Auntie has given me so much absolute respect and adoration for him.  He has been such a rock for Auntie...constant support and encouragement.  Even when things have totally sucked...you will not hear him complain.  He was such a trooper in the waiting room...I know he was a nervous wreck, but he played with Josi, visited, and in the end would not let me go get him lunch because he didn't want me to have to bother with it since I had Josi.  I want to be like my Bud Ter when I grow up.    Love him!!!

 Praise God, everything with surgery went flawlessly.  HUGE relief is an understatement.  The surgeon is such an amazing lady and came and introduced herself and visited with ALL of us.  She was pleased with how the surgery went, ended up taking fewer lymph nodes than they thought they might have to, and thought everything looked great.  We were so happy to see our patient.  I never want to forget how much love was squished into that tiny hospital room that evening.

 One of the FUNNIEST moments that happened after surgery (and Auntie is going to KILL me for telling this, but I have to) was when Terry had gone to get dinner and left Mom and I with Kelli.  Auntie had finally been able to get up to use the potty...and they had told her that something to do with the dye that was used during surgery, etc. could cause her urine to look "funny" for a bit.  I think the poor nurse was completely confused because of Auntie's "OH. MY. GAWWWWSH!" that was shouted after going potty. Totally not kidding-her potty was TURQUOISE!!!!!!!  How funny is God?! We have laughed and laughed at this.

Auntie was released to come home the next morning and has healed like a total rockstar.  Her pathology reports came back the next week and showed NO CANCER!!!!  They could see where the tumor had been in the breast, but it had no cancer cells.  Lymph nodes were clear.  PRAISE GOD!!!!

She went this week for a re-check of everything and they took both drains out...we are told this is RARE.  We were prepared for those pesky things to have to stick around longer than this...so it was a wonderful surprise that she is now free from all of that extra "stuff"!  

So, now it's time to finish healing.  They are still recommending that she do radiation as a precautionary measure...that will take six weeks.  But, overall, she's on the road to getting back to "normal" life!  She was up and around this morning at 9am out in the freezing cold to watch a riveting soccer match of sharks vs. ladybugs (Grady's 1st game of the season!)....it was such a blessing to see her back in the swing of life.  

I say this every post, but there are truly not adequate words to express our appreciation to each and every person who has prayed us through this, offered sweet encouragement, prepared meals, sent cards and goodies...the list goes on and on.  Like I said earlier, the biggest thing that I have felt from this is LOVE.  Love for Auntie, love for my family, LOVED on by such an enormous amount of people.  We are humbled and grateful.  Thank you.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

Good News and The Next Step...

Auntie traveled to MD Anderson last week for scans to determine how the cancer responded to the chemo.  Praise God-everything looked GREAT!!  The reports said "complete response in breast and lymph nodes" and her doctor was congratulating her!  We are thrilled!

Now, it's on to the next step.  Surgery.  Kelli will be having a double mastectomy on Wednesday, August 27th in Tulsa.  Thankfully, the surgeon that everyone agreed on and Kelli feels led to use is in Tulsa...we are grateful that she gets to be so close to home.  No way around it, this part is going to stink.  We need everyone to continue to pray her through this!!

I am going to adjust the meal schedule for after she gets home from surgery to cover as many days as we can while she is healing.  I SO appreciate all of you who have taken meals!!  The website is www.takethemameal.com and you can search by her last name.  Message me for the password!

We have lots of "Praying for Mrs. Owens" bracelets left if anyone needs one.  We are hoping to have everyone wear Mrs. Owens favorite color, turquoise, on Wednesday in show of support on her surgery day.

Thank you thank you thank you!!!  I will update again on Wednesday after she's out of surgery.

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

Last Chemo!!!

Auntie's last chemo treatment was kicked off to a great start with signs and car decorations by some precious friends...it was a GREAT way to start the day!!

Chris was the chemo buddy and did a fabulous job!  Last time!!!

Now that we are finished with chemo, Auntie and Terry head to Houston this week for scans to see how the cancer has responded.  The results of that will solidify the remainder of the treatment plan....surgery and radiation.  

We are so appreciative of your prayers.  This week we are asking that you specifically pray for good results from the scans in Houston.  Please pray for traveling graces and peace over Kelli and Terry as they are receiving test results, future recommendations, etc.  

The meal schedule is still up at www.takethemameal.com.  I'll get the password to anyone who needs it!! 

I will update the blog this week once Kelli  is back from Houston with results, surgery dates, etc.  

THANK YOU isn't enough for all of the love we are shown daily...but THANK YOU!!!

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

Only One More To Go!!

Jake got to be Auntie's chemo buddy this week...and he did a fabulous job!   Throughout all of this, it is such a gift that we have each other and that we love each other so much.  I am so grateful for our family.  

It's hard to believe that Auntie only has one chemo treatment left!!!!!  Woo hoo!!!!  It's been a whirlwind ride, that's for sure...one we are ALL so excited to get off of soon!  Auntie has rocked this cancer battle and is kicking it's booty BIG TIME!! 

Please continue to pray us through this battle...the end is getting closer in sight, but it is not over.  There are still many steps that Kelli has to endure after chemo is finished.  Surgery will follow, and possibly radiation.  Please continue to pray for strength & endurance, both physically and emotionally.  Please pray for peace regarding the surgery decision (what type, etc.).  We are so grateful to each and every one of you!!

The meal schedule is still up at www.takethemameal.com.  I'll get the password to anyone who needs it!! 

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

Happy News!!

As Auntie announced on her facebook, another "sparkler" showed up this year on the 4th of July.  Jacob asked his girlfriend of 5 years, Tiffany, to be his bride!!  We are all SO excited and happy for them!!  It was such a fun and memorable way to propose and Tiffany was way surprised!  

Jake did SO good on the ring, it is gorgeous!  It's perfectly Tiffany.  

 It is so nice to be able to focus on all of the good and wonderful gifts, like each other, that God has blessed us with. Especially in the midst of this cancer.  Now we have even more incentive to get this cancer outta here by Christmas...we have a wedding to plan!!!

Congratulations Jake &  Tiffany...we are SO happy for you!!!

Update

Auntie finished her first phase of chemo at the end of May.  Thankfully, she underwent all 12 weeks of that treatment without too terribly many side effects.  No nausea, mainly just some fatigue.  Because of of how well she tolerated that first round of chemo, I really didn't think the second phase would be that much different.  Oh how I was WRONG!

Auntie and Terry went down to MD Anderson for her first chemo treatment in the second phase.  We knew that it was a harsher chemo that often was harder on the body, but because of several factors not working in her favor, it was basically like having a chemo treatment back in the 80's for her.  Not good.  She was immediately very sick in her tummy and spent two days throwing up.  Oh and trying to fly back home from Houston in the midst of all of it!  Of course once Mom and I got word of how bad it was, we immediately began asking for you all to join us in prayer.  I am still SO overwhelmed at the outpouring of love that came as soon as we asked.  It didn't matter that it was close to midnight; everyone joined with us in prayer...I know that is what got them home!!  We are so grateful for all of you.

Last Friday, I was able to take Auntie for her second chemo treatment since it was in Tulsa.  Needless to say, we were ALL apprehensive about the outcome based on the last treatment.  I teased her that I would not be driving my new car to the treatment...I was going to drive hers in case there were yucky side effects this time, too : )  But I stepped out in faith that this was going to go much better than the treatment 3 weeks ago and drove the new car!  Thankfully, everything went so well.  We are truly blessed with a wonderful doctor and staff in Tulsa, too and they make it so nice.  They gave Auntie several anti-nausea pre-meds, plus helped her with her anti-nausea arm patch (apparently the last treatment it wasn't sticking properly, so it basically offered her no support).  We made it through the treatment just fine and she was actually hungry on the way home!  She did report some yucky tummy feelings later on, but thankfully no throwing up!!

So, she's halfway there on finishing this second phase of chemo.  It's four treatments spanned out over 12 weeks and she's already had two.  Woo hoo!  After she completes this second phase of chemo (it'll be around the end of August) she will undergo surgery.  We are not sure yet what type of surgery she will undergo (lumpectomy, mastectomy, double mastectomy, etc.) as it will depend on how the cancer has responded (shrunk) to the chemo treatments.  This is one area we could use LOTS of prayer on.  Please pray with us that the doctors will see clearly and have a very clear opinion for her on what type of surgery is necessary.  Please pray that Auntie will have a peace about the path that is "recommended" and feel good about what will be happening next.  There is also question as to whether the surgery will happen in Tulsa or in Houston...again, please pray for clear guidance and peace on this choice.

After surgery and healing, there will more than likely be radiation to go through.  All of this should be wrapped up and finished by Christmas, pray with us that it all continues as planned and that we get every ounce of this cancer's booty kicked in time for a fabulous Christmas gift of "cancer free" designation for Auntie!!

Again, we thank you for ALL you do...prayers, kind words of encouragement, funny note cards that lift Auntie's spirit each week, meals, etc.  We feel so very loved.  The meal schedule is still up at www.takethemameal.com and I can get the password to anyone who needs it!

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

11th Treatment.

Tiffany, Jake's sweet girlfriend, took Auntie to her 11th treatment this week.  It fell on the last day of school, which Auntie was super sad to miss.  I was busy with Cal's end of the year party, so thankfully Tiffany stepped in!  It ended up being a good treatment, aside from an initial technology glitch in the lab work that might have given them both heart palpitations.  They were mentioning a blood transfusion...EEK!  Luckily, all of that was figured out and everything was normal, so treatment proceeded as scheduled.  

Kelli has said that she can't believe this was her 11th treatment...I agree!  It has been such a whirlwind and seemingly has gone by so fast.  In a blink, this was our new reality and it has kept pace with the rest of life...rapid!  I guess this is the one area that we aren't sad to see go by so fast.  

Thank you all for your continued prayers...they are felt!!  Although Kelli is missing her students, this summer will be a good break for her to rest and try to kick this cancer's booty.  If you are still interested in taking a meal this summer, I've extended the schedule out to cover the rest of the summer months.  It's www.takethemameal.com and I can get you the password!  

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you.  Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with My victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10