How priceless is your unfailing love!  Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.  For with you is the fountain of life;  in your light we see light.  Psalm 36: 7,9

I can't believe I'm almost 3 weeks out from surgery.  I'm not taking the hard core pain reliever anymore.  Ibuprofen is pretty good, but the last couple days I feel like I've taken a couple steps backward.   My plastic surgeon's nurse explained that some of the pain is due to nerve endings healing.  So ouch-nerves heal away!

We saw the oncologist last week-she was very encouraged by the path report.  She said that only 20-30% of folks have that type of response.  Sooo-thanks be to God and to all of you for your sweet prayers!  She is not sure if radiation is necessary.  I was pretty surprised because we assumed that was a given all along.  She is going to bring this up at the tumor board (I think this is a bi-monthly meeting of oncologists) and see what the consensus is among her peers.

Tomorrow I see my plastics guy again.  He will be the one to actually determine when I can go back to work (I think).  St. E's has an awesome physical therapist who specializes in post mastectomy therapy.  I was able to see her before surgery, and will see her again the first week of April.  She has observed this type of surgery and attends special workshops so she can better help people achieve their range of motion.  She also is a lymphedema expert of sorts-pretty cool!

It's so good to feel this warm weather again, and the sunshine definitely brightens the day-something about that Light....   Love you, Nancy



Another appointment with

"You are resplendent with Light."  Psalm 76:4

So glad to have surgery behind me.  I'm told that everything went well-I was pretty much out of it till later Thursday afternoon.  Thank God for good drugs-after a day or so the percocet started to make me anxious, so I switched over to hydrocodone (darn good stuff).  Was able to go home on Saturday and have been resting ever since.  Our girls have been with us for the past few days.  Angie was with me yesterday, Ger is home today, and Em will be back in town tomorrow.  I've had some great babysitters.

I was surprised by some awesome news today.  A nurse from my oncologist's office called;  my pathology report was excellent-no evidence of residual cancer.  Believe me, I was floored and amazed.  So many people have been praying for me; it's been a huge blessing.  I shouldn't be amazed-God's healing and grace is so big-sometimes it's hard for a mere human to comprehend.  It is said that God uses prayer to change people, so how incredible is it to think that all the people who have prayed for me have been changed by his grace?!

I will see both surgeons and my oncologist in the next 2 weeks, to see where we go from here.  I really don't know how to thank you all for praying so faithfully-it is such a gift!  Love, Nancy

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

Hopefully I will be energized the next couple days; I usually work better under pressure.  Two more days till surgery-I will really be glad to have this over with.  Am very thankful to be at this point and I do feel pretty calm.  However, my thoughts become little monsters in the middle of the night;  thank God for daytime and his light that chases away my darkness.

I did have an appointment with the plastic surgeon last week.  He is very upbeat and encouraging-I think most of the followup will be with him.  So strange (and funny) to basically pick out your implants and hope they turn out to be the right size.  Your own skin is left intact, with the exception of the nipples.  I felt like I was at Sherwin Williams paint store picking out just the right shade of nipple.  One can always do the Barbie doll look and forget the extras.  How can you not laugh!

Gerry and I met with the head of the Nurse Navigation program at the cancer center at St. E'S.  He was very kind and informative.  I think that these folks can really help people with a multitude of questions at any point in their treatment. They also have programs in place after treatment is finished such as support groups, healing seminars, diet information,  and future doctor followup care.

Thanks again for all your prayers-keep em coming!  Love, Nancy