Well, as most of you who know me well enough to even be interested in reading this already know...I've got breast cancer. CORRECTION: I HAD breast cancer. As of Monday, Nov. 26, the surgical team completely removed the left breast and the 'axilla' (fleshy part of your armpit that houses your lymph nodes). Therefore, I no longer have any breast cancer in me. What I still MAY have however, are the cells floating through my blood stream, particularly around the axilla that can cause it to come back fairly soon. Because of this, I'm fighting back with chemo and radiation. The chemo purges the bloodstream of cancer cells and the radiation zaps the area around the axilla. So the area where it was gets a double whammie...the chemo and the radiation, while the rest of the body gets the chemo.

We go tomorrow to see the the oncologist (chemo doctor) to determine when the chemo will start and to find out who my radiation doctor will be and when it is that I will meet him for the first time. I may have a consultation with him (radiation doctor) fairly soon, but it won't be for the purpose of receiving radiation...not for a while. The chemo is first. And more than likely, I will not be finished with that until the end of April.

So as you can see, there is a long haul ahead of us. We have been able to stay strong because of all the prayers of people like you. I've received prayer cards from Louisianna, Texas, Florida, and South Carolina not to mention Tennessee. So, we know that there are people praying. I've yet to go through a single day since being diagnosed and not be told at least 5 times, "We're praying for you and your family." Those words are so empowering.

If you are one of the ones doing that, don't be surprised if we come to your mind at the oddest times. When ever we do, please stop and pray. Here's why...when we have one of our "moments" (what we call it when things get so overwhelming that all we can do is feel helpless and cry) we stop then and there and pray asking God to start an intercessor (praying person) to praying for us. Even during the night, we've asked God to wake up intercessors to pray for us. So if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night with us on your mind, for seemingly no reason at all, now you know why. Please stop and whisper a prayer because at that particular time, we are needing strength, reassurance, peace, and/or comfort.

So for all of you who say over and over, "If there is anything I can do for you..." now you know what it is. Stop, drop and pray!

This is absolutely no fun at all. Each of us would much rather be on our happy little trail to Christmas break, winter, spring, breaks, Allie's prom, graduation, recitals, concerts, etc....but there's no denying we now have this interruption in our lives. However, it is not the worst.

We have much to be thankful for! We have been surrounded by so much love and support....it is overwhelming...even more so than the dread disease we are fighting. I had a friend say "Why you?!? Of all people, why you?"

Well, to that all I can say is "Why not me?" I have a strong faith in God. I've seen Him heal people and bring them through cancers much worse than mine. I've got a husband who will not turn and run just because things are rough or because I'm now flat-chested on one side with staples running from my breast bone to my arm-pit! He has barely even left my side...not just since the surgery, but since the diagnosis. He is constantly there. And even when he happens to be in the other room, he hollers to wherever I am and checks on me. I have a wonderful daughter who has offered to give up her Europe plans and other things thinking that we'd need the money more for me now than her... and who is being a great 'team-player' for our family right now. Things that used to be taken for granted no longer are...she has rubbed my back, wiped my tears, fanned my over-heated neck...anything at all to try and make me more comfortable! I have a great job that is still going to be there no matter how many days I have to take off for surgery, doctor's appointments, chemo, etc. I have a wonderful major medical insurance plan that is taking care of nearly all our expenses. I've got a cancer insurance policy that will do far more than just 'take care of the rest'. I've had family who came and helped clean my house well enough that I'd let pretty much anybody in who wanted to come and visit. (something that I would not have done before) I have a 'small-group' of high school girls, who came and pitched in to get the rest of it done when the family had to go home. I have a church family who all wore pink on the same Sunday just to show us how they were behind us. And they've cooked and cooked and cooked. They came and sat with Rusty and Allie during my surgery. They've called and called.

Breast cancer sucks, but it is not the worst. I have never felt more loved. I am blessed beyond the curse...struck down??? Maybe. But definitely not destroyed!!!

I can't wait to be on the other side of this...stronger than ever...celebrating how wonderful God is and how He is perfectly able to heal those who call on Him.

Thank you forever and ever for your prayers for us! It is not easy. Not by a long shot! It is hard on me...but I think it is even harder on Rusty and Allie. And we are only in the beginning part of it. So your continued prayers and support are appreciated more than my little blog could ever express.

Gratefully,

?Momma Kay