August 27--Confirmation

August 25-- Jaim'e, one of my Sisterhood leaders, emailed me today. She said she was thinking of me and wanted me to know.  I replied, thank you so much. Tomorrow is the biopsy. WOW! That's God! Giving encouragement through His Prayer Warrior at just the time I needed it.

August 26-- Angie Valmus sent me an email saying she was thinking of me. Little did she know what I would be facing that day. BUT, GOD did and laid me on her heart. The prayer warrior responded and I was encouraged !! God continues to amaze me in how He touches folks to reach out to others!!

August 27 dawned a beautfiul day. We had plans to go the YMCA and work out for a couple of hours. Since we have returned from our trip, we have joined the Y and are going at least three times a week to work out and get stronger physically. It has been a great joy and it gives the girls some time with other kids.

It is hard to explain the peace I felt that morning! I was not anxious at all.  NOT me!  God was in control and all I could think about was what He had said the day before. We went on to the Y as usual.  As I was riding the stationery bike, around 10, my phone buzzed. I looked down at the number and it was my GP doctor's office calling. I knew! Way down in my gut I knew! They were calling to say the results were positive.  I ended my session and went downstairs to call them back. The receptionist said the doctor would like to see me that day to discuss the results of my biopsy. WOW! If it had been good news, they would have told me over the phone, but I knew Dr Sutterlin wouldn't do that! Later, he told us that.  What next? I found Norm and told him we had an appointment at 2 with Dr. Sutterlin. Then I called the girls to tell them the news. I told them they were welcome to attend the appointment if they wanted to so they could hear what the doctor had to say too. They are a part of this whole ordeal and want them to know that!:

2:00 came and all of us were there, including my son-in-law. We all listened as DR Sutterlin explained there were two lumps. He said they found carcinoma in one lump. It was in early stages and localized in that area--in the ducts. We all sat there and listened as he talked to us about what to do next.  He said you do not have to have surgery tomorrow. We have some time. Good!! All asked a few questions of him. He wanted to know who we would use as a surgeon. I don't really have one -- except Dr. Lafond for my gall bladder. That would be good, he said. He does breast cancer too. Ok. Great.  His referral department would be calling with an appointment soon because he would mark it urgent.  After about 30 minutes we left and went outside to do some talking. Norm is so calm... he said let's not assume anything but wait until we get some more information before we decide what to do next. Good advice.  Although I know the girls were having a hard time. Angie had to go back to work and off she headed. I felt bad for her.. But maybe it was good to go back to normalcy. From now on out, nothng would be "normal" as we know it, for awhile.

Norm, Meg, Dale and I went to get something to eat. We chatted about all the information we had so far and the genetic testing. While sitting there, the referral department called with an appointment with Dr. LaFond for the Friday of that week. WOW! I was amazed at the speed we got an appointment.

It was a time for craziness, upset, emotions, .... and all that goes with hearing the C word. But, I am so thankful I can say I was at peace. Did I know what was going to happen? NO! Did I know the one in control of what was going to happen?  YES!  And He had promised to handle this for me!! He kept reminding me of this and has kept reminding me of this the whole time.

It's funny that when something like this happens, it seems like time would stop for a day or two so you could have some time to ponder it all. But, life goes on, work goes on....... all around you folks are going through their daily routines. And you feel like you need it all to STOP!  It's like walking around in a dream or maybe nightmare for a short time!!!

This is the third time God has asked me a VERY HARD QUESTION:   Do you really believe I am who you say I am?  You say this with your lips while things are going well. Will you say them now?  It is easy to speak positively of God when things are going well. But, what about when the tough spots come, and they will. What do we say then? There is only one answer:  Yes, I believe YOU are who YOU say you are and whom I've declared YOU are!!!  I can only answer this because of Who He is in ME. This response is NOT me, but HIM in me!!