So, it’s finally here!
The big week. Breast Cancer BE GONE!
One of my dearest friends texted me this morning to ask how I was feeling. My answer, READY!
What does this week look like and how can you pray?
(Because so many of you and your friends and your churches have been praying and it has been an absolute balm to us all! In fact, if you or your bible study/church are praying somewhere outside of Texas, would you drop a note in FB/IG/blog comments. My kids think it is incredible that we have people praying ALL OVER the country!)
Number 1 – clean COVID test.
Today, I go in to meet with my oncological surgeon. I had a great meeting with my plastic surgeon last week. I love the experienced all female team I have. Because honestly, when you have to keep taking your top off, it’s nice to have an all female team. I’ll do some labs and Xrays today, but TOMORROW I have the COVID test.
As you know, the entire family caught COVID despite our lock down, EXCEPT FOR ME! I don’t even know. You prayer warriors! No surgery though unless that final test is negative.
Number 2 – the surgery on Thursday.
After they place the seed and inject dye into my right breast on Wednesday, I’ll be ready for surgery Thursday. We do not yet know a time. I’ll update you when I know. There’s a few pieces of this request.
One, this is the first surgery I’ve ever gone to without Bray there right next to me until they wheel me in. He can’t even come into the building. It’s hard on us both. But I’ve gotten pretty weepy about it lately.
Then the surgery itself. The plastic surgeon will make the incisions on both breasts, they will be taking some tissue from my left breast to replace the removed part of my right breast. Then the oncological surgeon comes in, takes out the tumor (YEA!) and surrounding tissue and removes some lymphodes to test. Pray the tumor has not grown and can be cleanly removed. Then the plastic surgeon will come in and fix up the breast and perk them both up a little, an unexpected silver lining in all this.
Number 3 – Smooth recovery.
She said it’s a fairly easy recovery. I will have a drain in my right breast for a week which will be a pain but we’re praying for no complications from the surgery.
Number 4 – The test results.
Once we get past February 4th we are praying for two things specifically so that I do not have to go through four months of chemotherapy. First, they do not believe there is cancer in my lymphnodes and the lab will need to confirm. C’mon lymphnodes, do your good thing!
Next, I’m having a genomic test to evaluate the reproductive rate of the cancer. It tells us the likelihood of me having “distant” cancer (e.g., cancer that crops up somewhere else). If it’s low, I can go straight to my four weeks of radiation. If it’s medium to high, I will need to go through chemo to protect my body from other cancer. We will do everything we need to in order to keep me around, and yet I would love to be able to go straight to radiation instead of both.
Number 5 – A late add. My best friend’s arrival.
My best friend is scheduled to fly in from Minnesota on February 11th. Y’all, I really need her right now. In person. Would you please pray for health for her and her whole family so she and her daughter can come? We have a house reserved in Galveston for the weekend for us to just sit on the beach and be together for three days. We both are in need of this time.
I don’t know what I would do without this incredible community. I have a post I need to publish about all God has taught me about receiving in this season. We have been overwhelmed by your love and support and these tangible displays of provision. Thank you. Now, we really just ask for prayer.
If you’re going through a hard season right now, drop a comment or an email, I’d be honored to pray for you. It’s really hard to pray for myself right now, so I’d love to be able to pray for you.
Here we go!
I am praying, and my Friday morning Bible Study has been praying, too. And I am praying that the time together in Galveston is wonderful, with no snowstorms or illness to interfere with your time together.
You have been so faithful to pray, and I’m so thankful Kathy.
Praying from Kansas. God is faithful no matter what the results, but I’m asking for no chemo right along with you. And, more than anything else, for you to come through this knowing Him better and trusting Him more.
Thank you so much, Marcy.
You go Gindi! God’s got this and I will continue praying for you in all of these areas!! Hugs and blessings!!
Thank you so much for praying (and so good to see you this weekend)!
Hi Gindi!!
God is so, so faithful and He’s holding you in the palm of His mighty hand!! I have been praying for you for over a year. Jesus put you on my heart about this time last year when you were struggling with finding the time to fit it all in. Been there, done that.
That’s what we as women do, we stand in the gap and pray, pray, pray. Know you are loved, cherished and treasured by the most High God!! I pray for your awesome team, their knowledge, decisions and experience. I pray peace for Bray and your children . I specifically pray courage and discernment for you. Trust in He who is the Master Physician and healer. I’m trusting in His will for you . GEAUX, girlfriend!!!!💜💚💛
Sally – so thankful for the prayers. We feel it as tangibly as if you could see them. SO thankful for your faithfulness in praying for our crew.
Praying for this week and your team of doctors! Praying for your comfort too as you go to hospital alone but know we are all here virtually.
Thank you very much Stamatina!
You’re on my BSF group and windwood Presbyterian prayer lists, as well as my own. Been there, done that, and thirty years on down the road now. H
Thank you so much!
I’m praying for you. I’ve been down your path. I did a lumpectomy and radiation 10 years ago at MDA. If you have questions that I can help with, please contact me.
And since you asked, I’d also appreciate your prayers. Breast cancer came back into my life in 2020. I had a lumpectomy last Friday. Praying for good news.
I did two surgeries at MDA in the last year without my husband with me. One last April and the second last week. It sucks but the staff is awesome. My experience is that the staff pays extra attention to you. The hardest part was between drop off and going to the pre-op waiting room. Once they take you back to pre-op, things get busier. Take with you what you want to look at or read while you wait. I took my iPad. Honestly I used it very little. But it was security for me. Wear clothes that are very easy to get on / off. Make sure your top is button up or zip up. You won’t be able to pull a top over your head when you redress to go home. MDA will send you home in a special bra that has cords to hold the drains. I found using a lanyard around my neck to hold the drains worked in the shower.
Oh Jane. I am so sorry. I will absolutely be praying for you! I hate that you’ve had two surgeries. Thank you so much for the insight you shared though, this will help me keep moving forward.
Dearest Gindi and family! People are not only praying for you in America, my family is keeping you, your family and your doctors in our prayers! Sending you love from Prague, Czech Republic. Big hug!!! Karen and Family 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I love this (and they will too) – thank you!
I’ve been praying for you and your family from Kansas.
Sending BIG prayers your way! Our bible study starts Wednesday (sorry, not from anywhere very exciting, just the big metropolis of Magnolia, TX. , hehe) and I will be adding you to our list for our faithful prayer warriors to cover every need! Covering your family as well during these difficult times without you!🤍
I am praying for you too (from Florida)! I have learned God does His best work in the tough times. I have absolute faith your friend will be by your side— because God put girlfriends in our lives to help us laugh— even when we feel like crying, and sometimes while we are crying.
If there was ever a person who could conquer adversity – it is you! I’ve known you so long and I remember many hardships that you faced with courage and grit… stay strong my special friend and remember that you are loved by many.
Prayers for you Gindi and for your speedy recovery. I had no idea you were going through this but I have no doubt you are in great hands and you’ve got this! Praying also for your time with your friend❤️
Praying for you Gindi!!! Cancer has no chance with your resilience and love for God!! He has your back ! 🙏🙏🙏
Praying for you from Pa, dear one!!! ❤️🙏