Let's get ready to...RUMBLE!!!!!!

Well, my last post was back in June and quite a bit has happened since then. On 11/10 Kim had another surgery for her breast cancer and has just about made a full recovery from that procedure. Unfortunately, she contracted an infection on one side, but she has battled through it and is now feeling pretty good. I know many of you were praying for her and God absolutely answered those prayers.

Tomorrow, we return to Loma Linda for the next surgery (hysterectomy). If you recall, Kim had genetic testing performed (BRCA I & BRCA II) and she received results that she was positive for BRCA II. This means that she has an increased risk of secondary cancers because she has a mutated gene that doesn't fight off cancer cells, like someone normally would. In order to eliminate the risk of ovarian and cervical cancers, we have made the decision to undergo a Total Hysterectomy. Because we love drama, the surgery was almost canceled today because of an insurance snafu, but thankfully, at the 11th hour, all the i's were dotted and t's crossed and we are now ready to rock and roll! Like I said earlier, "Let's get ready to rumble!!!!"

Kim has to check-in at 10AM on 12/2 and the surgery is scheduled to start around noon. The surgeon has told us the procedure will take about 2-3 hours and she will be in the hospital anywhere from 2-5 days. (Correction...after they found out that we had an HMO, they said she would be ready to go after 1 day! It was a miracle! Have I every mentioned that I love insurance companies?). Her recovery is expected to take 5-6 weeks, with the first 3 weeks being the toughest to get around.

Prayer Requests:

1. Allergic Reaction - After Kim was brought into the Recovery Room on 11/10, she had an EXTREME allergic reaction to at least one of the medications. She had severe itching all over her body and it didn't stop for about 16 hours. They believe it was either the narcotic pain medicine or something in the anesthesia. Please pray the doctors correctly identify the culprit and make the necessary adjustments.
2. Successful Surgery - Kim has something abnormal on one of her ovaries and we are praying that it is benign. We ask you to pray for the doctors and nurses involved in her surgery and post-surgery care.
3. Hormones - Kim's breast cancer is estrogen positive and with the BRCA II diagnosis, we are all but guaranteed that she will not be able to take Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) because no one will prescribe it to her. Ovaries are critical to the production of hormones and since they are being removed, we are unsure as to how her body is going to react to those little dudes vacating the scene. She says she'll just take Testosterone but I'm afraid she'll grow chest hair or something worse! We are praying that God will direct us to the perfect OBGYN and/or Oncologist.
   
4. PEACE - We know that God is completely in control of our lives, but worry pops up every now and again.

Well, it's getting late and I need to get a little shut eye! I will do my best to update everyone sometime tomorrow, and like always, thank you so much for your on-going love and support of our family!

Blessings,

Stacy