Traditional picture first update: We had a little going away dinner for my ovaries last weekend and our husbands maaaaayyyy have been accused of hating women and general reproductive rights at one point.  Not to worry, crisis averted but PSA to add a cancer ribbon on t-shirts with ovaries giving the bird.

Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled cancer sucks update.  I had my pre-op appointment today and everything is on track for surgery at 7am on Wednesday morning.  If they are able to perform the de-bulking (tumor removal) surgery laparoscopically I will be sent home that afternoon to start rest and recovery.  If Dr. Yap needs to make a larger incision and remove anything manually I'll likely stay in the hospital for 2 or 3 nights... it will literally be TBD during surgery. Please pray for my doctor and care team that they are able to remove all of the cancer cells from my body and that I have a smooth recovery over the following 6-8 weeks.

My post-op appointment with Dr. Yap is scheduled for 1/21 where she'll check to see how I am doing, review the tumor pathology report results with us and confirm when my next round of chemotherapy will be.

Now onto life updates.  I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday season with loved ones. I promised to get out and live in December and we did just that.  We had a magical Christmas in Roswell then snuck away to Florida for New Years.

For most people the end of the year is traditionally a time of both reflection and aspiration.  I did a lot of both and shouldn't be surprised that it was an emotional roller coaster. I think I spend so much time looking ahead and focused on my desired outcome that I haven't looked back since August 26th.  Reflecting was painful and pretty darn sad.  I also was overwhelmed with special/happy memories (looking at you hair cut with the boys) and how our family has been covered in prayer and love since day one. I am truly thankful… like I said, emotional roller coaster. 

I think being able to find joy and happiness in the darkness is something I'm really proud of.  Not just for me but for my steadfast husband who is the epitome of unconditional love, and I'm proud of my boys as I can see how this experience impacts them every day. They don't know it but they are growing more compassionate and emotionally intelligent each day and I find peace knowing that this journey is helping them become incredible young men.  

And for my family and friends, I know cancer has touched us all in one way or another and I pray the scar we all carry, big or small on our bodies or in our hearts, will be gentle reminders of what is important in life.  Every day we get to live, love and be loved is truly a gift.  Lets not waste it.  

I look back on 2024 with gratitude and have so much hope for 2025.  To put so much hope in the coming year is scary but my hope lives steadfast and secure in my personal lord and savior, Jesus Christ.  

I pray that 2025 brings each of you peace, joy, health and happiness.

We Got This 🩵