Almost Surgery time...

 So here we are...in one day I will be checking into the hotel in Charleston and then on Friday morning at 5:30am, I will be checking into the hospital for my surgery.  I can't believe how quickly the days have flown by. Part of me is excited at the possibility of being cancer free. Part of me is terrified thinking about how complex the surgery is and the long road I have ahead of me to healing. 

I plan to spend these next few hours before leaving loving on my kiddos and just being present with them and Paul. 

I wanted to first come and publicly just thank everyone for being alongside me in this journey. Your prayers, your cards, the sweet gifts, the financial help, the meals and shakes, the song suggestions, the text and phone check ins... all of it.. ALL the love you have ALL poured over me has been humbling and so very life giving. 

Thank you for loving on me and our family during this season. I have reached out to personally thank many of you but some of the items came without any indication of who sent them and so I just want to make sure you specifically are acknowledged and thanked. 

My journey thus far and my posture heading into the rest of this week is due in part to the support and encouragement from each of you. 

Please keep me and my family in your prayers this week and in the days to come. 

Specific prayers...

1. My surgery is set to begin at 7am on Friday , 3/3. Prayers for wisdom for the surgeons, and a routine, easy (all things considered) surgery with no hicups or complications. 

    a) May God protect my other organs and may the surgeon be able to get in there and easily remove what needs to be with good margins (get all the cancer out) and get everything connected back     together efficiently with no leaks or other complications. 

    b) May my lungs be protected (they have to deflate one during the surgery) and I not need ventilation after surgery and further protected from pneumonia, infection, or any other issues. 

    c) May I have no blood clots, leaks, or other complications and hit my after-surgery milestones right on time. 

2. For my family. Travel mercies for those traveling to be with me. Prayers for Paul as he waits for news and subsequently cares for me in the days and weeks to come. Prayers for my kiddos that they have their fears alleviated and prayers for my siblings, dad, stepmom, and extended family as they experience this all alongside me too. 

I have a lot of peace about this...mostly because I have surrendered it all to God and I know that He has me in the palm of His hand. I can face anything because of that. 

So...one more step...then another...if I keep doing that, I gotta end up somewhere different than I am right now, right? 

God is Good...all of the time...even here, even now :)

Love you all!!!