The Dreaded Day

I think I've started something. I've had so many phone calls or emails regarding the blog. I didn't expect how many would enjoy it and continue to check for updates. I've been the one blessed by the comments and encouragement.

Yesterday, ended up being a hard one. The pain pump finally ran out and I tried to get a handle on the pain. I still am dealing with the nausea. Saltine crackers are becoming my friend. Jim says there are so many crumbs in my chair he is going to bring in the shop vac. He continues to keep me laughing.

Our dog Jasmine has never seen me eat in our room so she is continuing to pace. She lays on our bed and just watches me. About every half hour she would bring me one of her toys and lay it at my feet. You have to wonder what she is thinking. Maybe she is hoping I will trade her for a cracker.

Today was the dreaded day to remove the bandages and the pain pump tubes. I was not to happy about it last night. I just felt it was so unfair to make Jim have to do it. He said he didn't mind but I felt bad for him. My only motivation for removing the tubes was that I would get to take a shower afterwards. It took us about an hour of planning to figure out how we could do it. I told Jim I wouldn't look - I wasn't ready or prepared for it yet. I'm so thankful that I married a compassionate and caring man. I really have no desire to go into the details but I have to tell you that I had excellent surgeons. Jim kept telling me I had to look because the job they did was amazing. We had seen pictures in hopes to prepare us for this morning. It was nothing like we expected. Jim couldn't wait to call his mom and have me call my cousin Kellie (the one who told me to stop looking at pictures). If a woman has to go through something has horrible as this I couldn't have asked for a better outcome. I don't know what to say. We made it through this huge hurdle.

I was thinking this morning how God has placed others alongside us through this journey. Our friend Pat Morey had her mastectomy surgery on December 8th. Even though our situations are the same it is still very different. She gave me that extra encouragement I needed. Her husband, Pastor Cal, is right along Jim's side too. We have Andi and Jim Strange who walked this path and desire to help us through this. What took me most by surprise is the men who have come along Matt's side. They were sons who watched their moms battle with cancer. They have no idea how much they have helped Matt. Thanks Greg and Brent. I know Katie has been encouraged by her Sunday school teacher Tim. His cancer battle is a tough one. Please keep him in your prayers.

If I began to list everyone this blog would be filled with so many names. I have never felt so much love poured on us. The calls, the emails, the cards, the meals, the flowers, the Christmas gifts. So much love! I think this blog will serve a purpose too.

Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD. Psalm 102:18

Traci