Surgery Update #3

My dad just received a phone call (at 11:53am) that the TUMOR IS OUT!!!!!


Please continue to pray for the remainder of the surgical procedure, the nurse thought it would probably be another 2 hours. We are boldly praying that Dr. V got clear margins, that her lymph system has not been affected and that her body remains strong as they complete surgery and she begins to recover!


We are most boldly praying that as of 11:53...she officially became CANCER-FREE...obviously, we have to wait to see...but praying with fervency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Thank you for your prayers.


Stay tuned...and enjoy lunch :)

Surgery Update #2

Just spoke with my dad and he received a call in the waiting room from a nurse in the OR around 9:15am.  The nurse said that surgery began around 8:15am and that my mom is doing fine.


Not a whole lot to update...but prayers for peace (for all of us as we wait) and strength for her body are being answered as we learn that she is doing 'fine'.


Thank you for your continued prayers!

Surgery Update #1

Nothing major to update...but we promised to keep you all as updated as possible.


My brother joined my mom and dad at the hospital this morning before heading to class. He sent this to me...


Dad and I just saw mom off to surgery at 7:18. She was strong and doing well, they gave her an epidural, which will hopefully help her pain greatly. Dr. V looked to me well rested and ready for surgery.


This right her is continued evidence of answered prayer...that she seemed 'strong and well'...that they have a pain management plan in place and that Dr. V looked 'rested and ready'.


Thank you for your prayers...we will keep you posted!

Encouragment for this 'Adventure of a Day'

(Image taken from Amazon.com)

Today's devotional from Jesus Calling by, Sarah Young seems rather fitting for all that today entails...

"Try to view each day as an adventure, carefully planned out by your Guide. Instead of staring into the day that is ahead of you, attempting to program it according to your will, be attentive to Me and to all I have prepared for you. Thank Me for this day of life, recognizing that it is a precious, unrepeatable gift. Trust that I am with you each moment, whether you sense my Presence of not. A thankful, trusting attitude helps you to see events in your life from My perspective.

A life lived close to Me will never be dull or predictable. Except each day to contain surprises! Resist your tendency to search for the easiest route through the day. Be willing to follow wherever I lead. NO matter how steep or treacherous the path before you, the safest place to be is by my side."

Psalm 118:24;1 Peter 2:21

Today is nothing sort of an adventure...it is precious and an unrepeatable gift!  We praise God that He already knows the outcome of today, that none of it will be a surprise to Him and are grateful that we are in the safest place we can possibly be...simply by His side.
Thank you for your prayers this morning and today...we will be sure to keep you posted with as many details about today's 'adventure' as possible. My mom sent an email this morning sharing her peace, readiness, confidence and ultimate hope...already an answer to prayer!
May your day be blessed!
(Pleae see post below for specific prayer requests)

Update Sent on January 12, 2012

Thank you for your continued prayers for healing and strength for my mom's body these past few weeks...she is feeling good, feeling strong and feeling ready to conquer and summit this mountain of a journey set before her!

Surgery is finally upon us as tomorrow is the big day. She will leave for the hospital around 5:00am to check in and proceed with all the pre-op procedures and then officially head into surgery and say 'good bye' to my dad around 7:30am (both times will probably be difficult, if your awake would you please pray specifically for peace during these moments that roars like a raging river, thank you).

The surgery will probably last through the majority of the day depending on whether or not the surgeon needs to re-sect a vein (something we are praying against). The surgeon said he would come update my dad after the tumor has been removed and again when she has been moved to the recovery room. We will update the blog www.prayingforanniem.blogspot.com whenever we receive any updates and initially following her surgery, so as not to inundate each of your email boxes. The goal is for her to be able to sit up on Saturday and then possibly get out of bed and WALK sometime on Sunday or Monday. She will probably remain in the hospital for 7-10 days post surgery as she begins her initial recovery.

At the prayer service, many of your signed up for specific prayer times throughout the day tomorrow. If you were unable to be at the service, or weren't able to sign up...please consider joining us in prayer throughout the day, knowing that she is being prayed for from all over the world has been and continues to be such a gift. Thank you.

I just received this email from my mom which details her heart's praises and prayer requests in a way that only she can articulate...

We are truly awed by God's faithfulness, and by your prayer support. The prayer service we had made us feel so loved and cared for, so protected, and encouraged. I would not be truthful if I said that I was not a little anxious about tomorrow. God battled Satan last night on my behalf when the demons of doubt and fear came knocking, but God banished them, and I again experienced an incredible sense of peace. This week we met with the oncologist and surgeon and both were very encouraging. We feel confidant placing our trust in them, knowing that God will be guiding their decisions, and their hands. We look forward to celebrating the complete removal of the tumor, and are hopefully anticipating my cancer-free future. Our God is a mighty God, capable of far more than we can ever ask or imagine. We are trusting Him to work a mighty and miraculous healing, and all glory and honor will be His. Thank you so much for your continued prayer support....you are, quite simply God's best, and we love you dearly!

Praise:

-That God continues to be glorified on this journey

-for opportunities so far to share the presence and power of God's provision, comfort and healing

-for our prayer service and the encouragement, comfort, peace and love that we felt during, and ever since

-for our pastor, Gary,and the absolute gift he has been to us

-for regaining most of the weight I lost

-that the vertigo has past

-for renewed strength and appetite

-for a sense of peace that truly is beyond all understanding, and is totally from God

-for encouraging words from my oncologist and my surgeon

-for each of our prayer partners who have so faithfully committed to pray and believe in the hope of a miraculous healing

-that God is being given the glory and honor that He so deserves

Prayer:

-that God would be glorified as we continue to trust in Him throughout this Journey. (John 9:1-3)

-that we hear the words; "we safely removed ALL of the tumor, the margins are CLEAR, and I am CANCER-FREE!" That the entire tumor would be removed, with clear margins, and that Saturday would begin a new chapter in this journey being cancer free ( Psalm 30-2)

-that Dr. V  (my surgeon) and his team would have wisdom, discernment and precision as they use the talents that God has given them (2 Corinthians 3:5)

-that the nursing staff and other care providers may be caring, compassionate, capable and confident (Colossians 3:23)

-that my body would be capable of walking through this part of the journey. (2 Samuel 22:29-41, Psalm 3:5)

-that my heart, and our whole family would be overwhelmed with a peace that transcends all understanding (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, Psalm 3:3)

-that my family would experience God's perfect peace as they wait to hear updates and the results of the biopsies

-(this one is bold) THAT THERE WOULD BE NO LYMPH NODE INVOLVEMENT

-that the Superior Mesenteric Vein would be cancer-free on biopsy and that resection would not be necessary

-that I would come out of the anesthesia safely and quickly

-that my electrolytes would stay in balance

-that my hemoglobin level would rise, or that a transfusion would be all that is needed

-that my recovery would be smooth with no complications

-that there would be no infection, bleeding, or fistulas

-that my digestive system would begin to function quickly and effectively

-that God would be glorified!

The time at 'base camp' has come to a close...as tomorrow morning opens the door to the first step on this new chapter of the journey...it's going to be quite a mountain but with the Lord's help, my mom's desire, your cheering and the caring and capable hands of her caregivers...anything is possible.

Stay tuned!

Be blessed!

Prayer Service

Our hearts were greatly humbled and encouraged last night as our family was quite literally surrounded by many family members and friends who have been and continue to pray and walk alongside us through this journey.

It was so encouraging to see familiar faces, hug necks, laugh, share stories and pray together. We know many weren't able to attend because of prior commitments or simply geography...we thank you for joining us in spirit and are so grateful for all of the prayers and support.

We are filled with hope as we anticipate Annie's upcoming surgery (Friday, January 13th) and simply can't wait to celebrate her being cancer-free late on Friday evening/early Saturday morning!

"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14

As we continue this journey,  we pray specifically…

1. That God would ultimately be glorified as we continue to trust in Him throughout this journey. (John 9:1-3)

2. That the entire tumor would be removed completely (with clear margins) and that Saturday would begin a new chapter in this journey being CANCER-FREE! (Psalm 30:2)

3. That A's doctor & his team would have wisdom, discernment & precision as they use the talents that God has given them. (2 Corinthians 3:5)

4. That the caregiving staff may be caring, compassionate, capable and confident. (Colossians 3:23)

5. That A's body would be capable of walking through this part of the journey. (2 Samuel 22:29-41; Psalm 3:5)

6.That A’s heart (and our entire family’s hearts) would be overwhelmed with a peace that transcends all understanding. (2 Corinthians 4:16-17; Psalm 3:3)

Thank you for faithfully petitioning on our family’s behalf…as we pray for miraculous healing…that this ‘Goliath’ might be gone!

May your hearts be blessed!