Since several of you have asked about my radiation treatments....

We're finally set to go this Thursday. I've met with the radiation oncologists in Hutchinson twice. The first was a consultation and yesterday they prepared for setting up the computer specific to my treatment. I was measured, x-rayed, cat-scanned, and tattooed. Yes, I said tattooed! I actually got them before any of my kids (I think)! They're really just small dots, but I don't plan on getting others any time soon - they hurt!

I'll be having 6 1/2 weeks of radiation (a total of 33 times), five days a week. The drive to Hutchinson will take longer than the radiation! They don't anticipate any major side effects. (Of course, the permission form I had to sign was a bit frightening!) Please pray for minimal side effects and for safety in traveling the 50 miles daily. We're just excited to be starting so we can get it done! We're very thankful to be doing this over the summer rather than during the school year. The doctors tell me that a year from now we'll hardly remember the last couple of months at all. The Lord is so good! We pray for His blessings to all of you!

Ron and Cindy

Update from Cindy

We wanted to give you all an update since there hasn't been any news to report lately. We had our first visit with the oncologist late last week. I'll be having about six weeks of radiation (five days a week) along with five years of medication. We're very happy to be on the up side of this process, dealing with prevention rather than the cancer!

Its hard to imagine, but this has been a very positive experience for us in many ways. We've been so touched by the way all of you have lifted us up and very thankful for the Lord's grace to us! A reminder of our total dependence on Him!

We have our first appointment with the radiation oncologist this Thursday.
Please pray for safety as we make the daily drive to Hutchinson (25 minutes each way) for the next six weeks. All for a ten-minute treatment!
But, we're thankful that it will be during the summer when our schedule is totally flexible. Also pray that my blood pressure will return to its nearly perfect pre-cancer rate. Somehow, whenever I see a doctor or nurse coming towards, my blood pressure goes up! Probably because I've had some not-so-fun experiences with them lately!

May the Lord bless each of you for your messages on the blog, the stacks of cards, meals, visits, gifts and flowers to cheer me, and especially for your prayers! You all mean so much to us. I'll let you know how I do with the radiation, but from what we've been told I don't anticipate much in the way of side effects. Ron and I are empty nesters for the summer, again, as Kym left for camp in Colorado on Saturday. Matt and his family, Kristy and her boyfriend, and Kym and some friends from camp will all be coming in this week for Kym's graduation from Central. Jennifer will be visiting the following week to encourage me as I begin the radiation. We have such wonderful children, grandchildren, friends, and family!

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!"

Ron and Cindy

Note from Cindy

Thank you so much for your special messages and the many prayers! (Not to mention the phone calls, cards, visits, gifts, and meals.) We appreciate all of you so much! Needless to say, we're very thankful to know that the doctors feel the cancer cells were all removed, along with a wide margin of tissue around the areas. We really feel that this wonderful gift from the Lord is an answer to everyone's prayers! I'm doing very well - almost completely pain free, though I still get pretty tired. The next step is radiation, probably starting around the first of June. We know that will be another challenge, but believe deeply in God's faithfulness. He is good "all the time!"

Ron, Cindy and Family

Great News

Just a short - but happy - update on Mom. The tissue taken during the surgery was tested and the pathology results were favorable. Needless to say, we are relieved and thankful.

So, the next step is radiation. Sometime thereafter, they will look into reconstruction options.

Thanks for your concern and support!

-Jennifer

Thankful

A brief update on Mom: she ended up being released last night, thankfully. There was a bit of discomfort and drama post-op, but Kym and Dad persisted and she arrived home around 9:00 p.m. I spoke with her briefly last night and again this morning, and she sounds fairly strong. The pain is manageable, which is much to be grateful for. She had a little trouble sleeping; however, it seemed to be primarily from the cold she appears to have contracted, rather than because of discomfort from the surgical site. I think it is safe to say that she is relieved to have the surgery behind her. We very much hope to have the pathology report tomorrow, and that it confirms the doctors' initial finding of early stage, contained cells.

Thanks for all of the messages we continue to receive, and for your kind support and prayers on her behalf.

-Jennifer