A Spring of Joy

Just got back from Angie’s follow-up appointment for the surgery; they removed the dressing and checked things out, she’s healing nicely. We go back on Wednesday afternoon to remove staples. (Ugh.. I don’t really do well with blood and sharp objects inserted into the skin…) We didn’t move the appointment with the Oncologist up, the Doc affirmed that treatment won’t begin until after that, so there isn’t really any point in trying to get there earlier. Her body needs some time to heal before they start pumping her full of toxins…

I spoke with our surgeon yesterday afternoon about the pathology report on Angie’s tumor and the lymph nodes they removed during surgery. It’s not great news. Her tumor size was 2.5 cm and they classified it as Grade 3. (Grade is a ranking how different from normal cells the tumor cells are, on a scale of 1-3. 3 is the most aggressive) Of the 20-25 lymph nodes removed during surgery, there was tumor in 8 of them.

Monday evening our friend Tiffany dropped by the hospital on her way home, she had been keeping our kids all day. She delivered a note from the kids that we would love to share… (these are their own, unedited, words- as dictated to Tiff)

Dear Mommy,

I can’t wait ’till you’re out of the hospital and I can see you again. We have new fishing rods and we can’t wait to show them to you. Hope your surgery went well. I want to come see you. I love you and I’m praying for you and I’ll have fun at the Pattons.

We’re home.. Ang is cleaned up and into some comfortable pajamas and resting on the couch. It’s nice and quiet, her Mom came up to take care of her, and the kids are still out with a babysitter until this evening, so she should get a good rest in before things get to exciting around here.

Thanks again for all of your thoughts, words, deeds, and prayers over these last few days (and weeks)… we have felt very well loved by all.

Pediatrics was good to us last night, the nursing staff up here is absolutely amazing. I slept like a rock on my little couch, for everyone who was wondering…

I just talked to the surgeon, Angie is in recovery and should be out in an hour or so. He said she did fine, and he got everything he needed. From here the tumor goes to pathology where they will biopsy and probably have a report by wednesday. We’ll be here overnight tonight and most likely go home tomorrow. [update] Actually i just talked to the recovery room nurse and got her room number- it’s in the pedriatric wing, apparently they have a playstation. Guess I’ll be fine tonight….

That is again for your prayers, I’ll post again later after I’ve had a chance to talk to her.

She’s doing well so far, there have been some moments this morning but she’s ok. It’s all very real now that people are sticking needles into her! It was awesome to walk into a waiting room full of friends and family when we arrived this morning. A couple of doctors we know have stopped by, and the nurse who did her prep this morning is a friend from church who came in just to take care of us. (thanks Amy!)

This morning we head in for surgery… Angie is doing pretty well, but it’s a scary thing to be facing. She’s been resting well tonight, I’m very thankful for that! The kids are as well prepared as they can be, when Asher got into bed tonight he told me that he couldn’t wait for tomorrow- “it’s going to be the best day of my entire life!” He’s looking forward to an entire day with a babysitter, and going fishing. Go figure.

A little over a month ago, we finally got the ball rolling on selling our Acura and our Wrangler to downsize to one vehicle (other than our van). The main specification was that it had to fit the five of us yet still be able to be driven off-road. We had talked about a Grand Cherokee or a Land Cruiser, but little did I know just what exactly we were getting ourselves into, or rather what I was getting myself into…

I recently found this poem I wrote a few years ago. How good God is to bring it back to me as a reminder and encouragement to me of the faithfulness of God for me, my family and my friends. It’s not about me, my works and my strength. He is walking with me!

As I journeyed life’s path He was there
Walking with me all along.
And I hopped and skipped, basking in joy;
He was my strength and my song.

I knew His smile, and I sensed His love.
His warming peace filled my heart.
We walked together, my hand in His;
I knew we would never part.