One Week

My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th at 8 a.m. with a Surgical Oncologist from Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.  Our kind Oncologist from Jurvinski Hospital in Hamilton referred us to PMH mid-summer and after our meeting there, we decided to have the surgery in Toronto.  Princess Margaret is one of the top five cancer centres in the world; we are so grateful to have had such incredible health care access throughout this journey!

Having completed three rounds of chemotherapy as scheduled, we've been eager to find out how effective it's been at attacking the cancer.  This will determine how aggressive the surgery needs to be. Unfortunately, the chemo has not worked as well as they expected.  While some of the cancerous tumours have shrunk around my ovaries, others have stayed relatively the same or spread.  From the recent CT scan it is evident that the concerning tumour on my small bowel is still present and there are now some cancerous lymph nodes present in my chest.  

While the chemotherapy treatments after surgery will be a different type of chemo in hopes that it will respond better, my Surgical Oncologist is prepared to be aggressive in removing as much of the cancer as possible.  There are fourteen items he says could be removed during this surgery, but many of those decisions will be made in the operating room.  He has recruited a Thoracic Surgeon (lung expert) and a Liver Specialist to participate in the surgery.  We are grateful for our Surgical Oncologist's expertise, decisive leadership and collaborative approach to my upcoming major surgery.

The surgery will actually take place in an operating room at the Toronto General Hospital.  We will arrive at 6 a.m. that morning to check in and be prepped.  The surgery is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. and will likely be 6-8 hours.  I will stay at the hospital for a minimum of five nights to be monitored and start recovery.

Please join us in praying, being "faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12.  Pray for skilled nurses, anesthesiologists and surgeons in the operating room. Pray that excellent decisions would be made throughout my surgery.  Pray for incredible strength and peace for Andy as he waits.  Pray for comfort and trust for our families and friends.  Pray that peace, joy and hope will radiate from me before and after surgery because of God's powerful Spirit in me.  Pray for 100% healing that extinguishes all of the cancer in my body while also praying 100% for us all to see God's perfect will unfolding as we seek to glorify Him.

This song, "Good Good Father" by Housefires, has been echoing in my mind, heart and soul the past two weeks.  The simple words bring tears to my eyes because we know them to be so true and because we need to cling to these reminders daily.  It is so healthy and refreshing to meditate on truth.  He is a good Father, the "Father of compassion and the God of all comfort..." 2 Corinthians 1:3.  We're clinging to His promises and trusting Him in whatever is ahead.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name;

You are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you; 
When you pass through the rivers,
They will not sweep over you...
For I am the Lord, your God.
- Isaiah 43:1-3