Five Days

The major chest surgery we've been anticipating for four months is in five days. Would you join us in praying faithfully? While there is likely less cancer to remove in this surgery, the risk factors are comparable to the invasive abdomen surgery in September.

The surgical plan is to remove the cancerous lymph nodes in the center of my chest, remove cancer on my chest wall and lining of the lungs and drain the persistent fluid around the lungs. The lymph nodes in my chest are very close to my vocal chords, which could be damaged during surgery leaving me with a low, raspy voice. Despite the recent Star Wars hype, playing the voice of Darth Vader is not a dream come true, ha! The last chest CT scan showed lots of fluid around my lungs, which means the surgeons will need to rely on exploration during the surgery to see the extent of the cancer and remove it. Without the option of doing radiation or continued chemotherapy, my treatment plan relies heavily on successful surgeries.

The Thoracic Oncologist performing and overseeing this chest surgery is someone we trust and are extremely grateful for. He is familiar with my case, having offered his diaphragm expertise in the operating room during my September surgery. We are so thankful for the excellent team of surgeons and nurses who will be collaborating on my behalf.

The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, January 12th at 10 a.m. at the Toronto General Hospital. Andy and I will arrive at 8 a.m. to get ready. They're estimating a 3-6 hour surgery, depending on how much cancer there is to remove. I'll recover in hospital for a minimum of seven nights, hoping to avoid the strong possibility of pneumonia post-surgery.

So we come to you all again, humbly asking that you'd graciously and faithfully join us in prayer to our Almighty God. While Andy and I have really wrestled with and learned so much through Romans 12:12, we've really learned this part, "faithful in prayer," through all of YOU. Please pray for miraculous healing of this epithelial ovarian cancer, skilled physicians and nurses in the operating room, successful removal of all visible cancer, protection of my vocal chords in surgery, protection from infection and pneumonia post-surgery, peace and strength for Andy and our loved ones, freedom from fear and ultimately for eyes to see the way God is with us and being glorified through it all.

*Here's a prayer sign up for Tuesday, January 12th: 24 Hours of Prayer for Julia

Having experienced a difficult recovery after the September surgery, I am now less naive to the myriad of potential complications that could follow major surgery. Because of this, I have experienced sparks of fear. What if my vocal chords are permanently damaged? What if I get infections post-surgery that drastically extend my hospital stay? What if something goes majorly wrong? What if they cannot get all the visible cancer this time?

Last week I took these fears and turned to my biggest source of comfort, truth and power in this cancer journey; God and His Word. I googled "Bible verses about fear" and then proceeded to copy out 15 verses into my journal. After reading through them and underlining my favourite phrases, it dawned on me how many PROMISES were present in these verses addressing fear. I'd like to share with you God's promises to me and all of us when facing fear of any kind:

God will sustain you. Psalm 55:22
God takes hold of your right hand. Isaiah 41:13
God will help you. Isaiah 41:13
God will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
The peace of God will guard your heart and mind. Philippians 4:7
God cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
God is with you. Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 23:4, Psalm 118:6, Isaiah 43:2
God will strengthen you. Isaiah 41:10
God will uphold you with His righteous hand. Isaiah 41:10
God comforts you. Psalm 23:4
God goes with you. Deutoeronomy 31:6
God will never leave or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
God delivers you from all your fears. Psalm 34:4
God gives you peace. John 14:27
God fights for you. Exodus 14:14
God loves you. Isaiah 43:4

Whew, God keeps quite busy caring intimately for His people! What incredible promises of comfort, hope and joy. Praise God! As I relished in these beautiful truths, I went back to the 15 verses and noticed that while God seems to take care of all the big details, there are instructions for us when faced with fear. God blesses us with these promises, and it's our choice to receive them as we...

Come to God. Matthew 11:28
Cast your cares on God. Psalm 55:22
Present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
Trust in God. Psalm 56:3
Do not fear; be strong and courageous. Deuteronomy 31:6
Be still. Exodus 14:14

As this next major surgery approaches in five days, I am relieved to find and grab hold of these promises. It never ceases to amaze me the way the God of the universe chooses to offer grace and love to me, a fearful and undeserving child. While I'm waiting to be rolled into the operating room on January 12th, I will be meditating on this verse of promise, "The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid." Psalm 118:6