Surgery is Over!

'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
Isaiah 41:10 


Well the surgery is over!  Thank Goodness!  Praise the Lord!  I am SO thankful that this part of the process is over.  It really feels like a MAJOR step towards progress!!

I had the surgery last Wednesday (19th) and everything went well.  I was in the hospital overnight and got to come home on Thursday (20th).  I have been very surprised that I have not been in much pain.  I have a total of 3 drainage tubes that make me very sore and I have to move extremely slow.  I am wrapped up and have to keep it that way until I go back to the doctor on April 1st.  Everyday the drainage tubes have to be emptied 3 times.  That is not painful for the most part but can be uncomfortable.  They are attached just under my armpits.  Just imagine having that skin clamped and have to keep it that way 24/7...not comfortable at all.  We have had a home nurse come to help clean the area and just do an overall check-up.  She will be back a few more times.  I don't know if it is a possibility, but I am really hopeful that she will say the tubes are ready to be taken out sooner than my April 1st appointment.  Have I mentioned how uncomfortable the tubes are?!  Ughhhhh....!!  Ok enough of my whining!!  No matter what, I am taking one day at a time and am so thankful to have reached this point so successfully.  Here is a picture of what the drainage tubes look like. I have 2 on the left side and 1 on the right side (very bulky!).  There is a 'grenade' and the tubing.  You still cannot even see all of the tubing....

The surgeon seemed very pleased with how the surgery went.  She said that she did NOT see anything suspicious in the breast that had the cancer in it and that all of the tissue looked normal.  Hallelujah!!!!  She also removed one cluster of lymph nodes and said that they all looked normal except she could tell that one had been affected.  It didn't look like it had cancer but it was a little 'different' than the rest.  It wasn't something that she was alarmed or suspicious about.  I can't remember her exact words but she was very happy with what she saw, and with what she didn't see!!  This gave us a great deal of comfort!  They will still send everything to pathology and we will get a more detailed report when we go back to see her.  I just cannot say enough about my surgeon, Dr. Margenthaler.  She is wonderful!!

We have continued to receive such support and love from so many people.  Our meals have been taken care of by many of our church family/friends for the two weeks after the surgery.  This has been wonderful and so helpful!  And so delicious!!

I have not said much so far but I really have to brag on Mike and my girls, Kailey and Cassidy.  Throughout the entire process they have been such a source of strength.  I KNOW this has not been easy on them, but oh how they have made things easier for me.  Mike has juggled his work, my appointments, household work, and now taking care of these drainage tubes and bandages.  Even though many have helped us through everything there are just some things that only he can do (or he wants to do).  He has also done a lot of research about every phase of this process and remembers the details far better than I can!  The girls have also been so wonderful!  Dealing with this along with balancing college, jobs, and just being a young adult can not be an easy thing but you would never know it when you are around them.  Their faith has provided great strength and comfort for them but Mama Bear still worries that they are okay.  I hate that they have even had to go through this and I know that they wish I didn't have to go through any of it.  However, we all know that God has and will continue to bring great things from this experience.  As of the time of surgery, we have been battling breast cancer for 6 months.  We have all tried to stay positive and I think we have succeeded with this for the most part despite some unusual negative circumstances that have also occurred during this 6 month time period.  I have never blogged about those things and I won't go in to detail about them now either, but I just want to express how blessed I am to have Mike, Kailey, and Cassidy.  We are a team.  We go through everything together.  We will also celebrate victory together when this is all a distant memory!  I am proud of them for how they have given God the Glory every single day!  If you want to see a true picture of God's grace (giving what we don't deserve), and God's mercy (not giving what we do deserve), then look no further than my life.  I am well aware of how blessed I am and how God has blessed me with His grace and mercy!

I am still just overwhelmed with how people have shown us so much love throughout every single step of this journey!  I am thankful and forever grateful!  My next step should be radiation although I do not have any details about this yet.

Thank you everyone!

God is SO Good!!  All the Time!!

Some Fun Encouragement :)

Update
I am feeling better and better each day!  The aches and tingly feelings are very mild.  I have gotten out of the house twice this week to see my daughter cheer and it has been wonderful!!  I have also been able to see some friends at these games!  The goal for this weekend is to make it to Sunday School and church although now the weather might interfere with that.  We'll see!

My hair has not started growing back yet.  Neither have my eyebrows or eyelashes.  I tried to wear false eyelashes to one of the games that I went to.  It took me 45 minutes to get them on and then they looked terrible!! I almost washed one of them down the drain and by the time I was done with it, it no longer looked like eyelashes.  Needless to say, I did not wear the eyelashes!  

Video
I want to share this short video with everyone.  It is some of my students and coworkers having some fun.  They made it for me in hopes of making me smile and brightening my day which it definitely did!!  I am so blessed to work with these caring people!  They have gone out of their way to make me feel loved and missed and cared for and supported.  Truly a blessing!
I hope you will watch!  Even if you don't know anyone in it, consider how much joy it brought to me!  Such a kind gesture!  I haven't been able to see these people in months so it was truly a blessing!  I know they had fun putting it together too :)


1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

God is SO Good!  All the Time!

If you cannot view the video try clicking here:  Woodlawn Video :)

Surgery is Scheduled

I am really starting to feel good since my last treatment!  I had a couple of really down days where I had a lot of aches and tingling in my arms and legs.  Last Sunday (16th) I did not even get out of the bed other than to use the bathroom.  I still watched the live streaming services for church (which were wonderful!) but all I wanted was to lay down and rest (or sleep).  Monday was a little better.  I at least made it to the couch!   On Tuesday (18th) I had my consultation with the surgeon.  Although I still wasn't feeling the greatest on this day, the appointment went as ideal as I could have asked for it to go!!  I will explain a little later!  That night was a rough one with the aches and pain.  It was the first time throughout this entire process that I have taken Ibuprofen to get some relief.  I think it was from the amount of walking and standing I had done the day of my appointment.  Under normal circumstances it really would not have been a lot, but one week after a chemo treatment it was a great amount and I felt it during the night!  Wednesday I began to feel a little better and it has improved with each passing day!  Today (Friday) I still have mild aches and tingling but I am at least able to move around and get some things done.

Consultation with the Surgeon
My surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19.  I know that is a long time away but they wait several weeks after your final chemo treatment in order to give your body a chance to recover and blood counts to get back to normal.

My surgeon recommended a mastectomy even though I have responded well to the chemo.  Mostly because of the type of cancer that I was diagnosed with.  We discussed reconstruction and plastic surgery and I have opted not to go that route.  It would add another 6-9 months to this whole process and I am just not interested.  I want things to be done and I am okay with having the breast removed.  This led to discussion about the other breast.  She asked what I wanted to do about that and I said to have it removed also.  So this means a double mastectomy without reconstruction or plastic surgery.  Yes that means I will be as flat as a board.  I have had a lot of time to think about what I would want and to prepare myself as much as possible.  I can change my mind anytime before surgery but I really don't see that happening.  Even years from now I can go back and have plastic surgery done, but again, I don't see it happening.   It will be an adjustment for sure but there are a lot of products out there that I can wear to feel 'normal' if I choose to.  I think my peace of mind will be greater as far as lowering my chances for the cancer to return or develop in the other breast had I chosen to keep it.  This may not be what a lot of people would have chosen for their body but in the end it is my choice for my body and it was not made hastily.  I have prayed throughout everything for guidance and direction.  Discussion and decisions that happened at this appointment felt so comfortable and right that I cannot help but feel it was how I was being led to discern things.  I will continue to pray about it and I know that if it is not the right decision that God will reveal it to me.  So far I am very much at peace and sleeping wonderfully!!

The surgeon also still wants me to have radiation.  She said that would be about a month after surgery.


We continue to be amazed at how much love and support we have been given through everything!  We are so thankful for the prayers and still welcome them during this next part of the journey!

Praising God for His steadfast Hand guiding us and holding us every single second of this entire process!

I know Who goes before me
I know Who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side.
The One who reigns forever
He is a Friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side!

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in Your hands
I'm holding onto Your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful!


The God of angel armies is always by my side.
(Whom shall I fear)

God is SO Good!  All the Time!

LAST CHEMO TREATMENT!!

Well the day finally arrived!!!  My LAST chemo treatment!  HALLELUJAH!!  What a wonderful day this has been!  Somewhat emotional too!!  Everything went great and I got to ring the bell!! (Video below).  Then on my way home from St. Louis my wonderful Woodlawn school peeps gave me a wonderful surprise!!!  I bawled the whole time! (2nd video below!!).  I have also included a 3rd video of mainly screenshots of snapchats, text messages, and some facebook posts.  (My daughter has dubbed me the queen of screenshots...I won't deny it!!)   These are not nearly all that I have received (or screen shotted!) but I picked out some for this video.  I did not include any facebook messages or comments and there have been many of those too!  I wasn't going to put other people on this blog but I just couldn't help it!!  So many have been so supportive and wonderful!  And again, there are SO many more messages that I have received!!  (Please don't be offended if I didn't include you or a message you sent!)

It has been a true blessing!!  Army of prayer warriors!! And....I just want to add that I pray for you warriors!!  My last couple of regular posts (before today) on facebook (not blogs), have received a lot of 'likes' and comments.  I just want you to know that I prayed for each person individually and specifically.  It took some time, but I have had a great deal of time :)
I tell you this not so you will always like my posts (because I always pray for ANYONE who is supporting and praying for me and my family!!), but instead just so you know that someone has spent time in prayer just for you!!  I know how good it is to hear that someone has thought of you and prayed for you!
Today's response has been overwhelming!!  I absolutely plan to spend some time in prayer for each of you showing the support!!  Again, not trying to get 'likes' haha!!  Just thankful, soooooo thankful for you all!!

What's next?
In one week I will have a consultation appointment with my surgeon.  That is all I know right now regarding the next step!!  I am assuming that we will discuss options and schedule a date for surgery which should be fairly soon.  I also have a follow up appointment with my oncologist in six weeks, assuming I have had surgery by then.  That appointment could change.

It has been a long chemo journey so far (1st treatment was on October 8th), but now we are moving on to the next part of the journey.  I know you are all on this journey with me and my family!  THANK YOU!!

God is SO Good!  All the Time!


Here are the 3 videos!  I hope you will watch all 3 if you have about 11 minutes :)

RINGING THE BELL!

*** If you had trouble viewing this video, try clicking here: 
 Ringing the Bell!

WOODLAWN SCHOOL SURPRISE :)

***If you had trouble viewing this video, try clicking here:

    Woodlawn School Surprise :)    

          

SOME PICS THROUGHOUT DIAGNOSIS  & CHEMO    :) 

***If you had trouble viewing this video, try clicking here:
Pics Throughout Diagnosis & Chemo

An Update and An Overdue Thank You

I am,
Holding on to You.
I am,
Holding on to You.
In the middle of the storm,
I am Holding on,
I am!

Update

It has been almost 2 weeks since my last treatment.  I have one more week until I go again.  I am scheduled to have a treatment on Tuesday, February 11th which is supposed to be my LAST treatment!!  Yay!!!  Do you notice how I am leaving things open?!  I am getting better at being ready for anything that might cause scheduled things to change!  But I am still very hopeful that everything will go as scheduled!  I am ready to ring that bell :)

For the most part I have been doing really well for the last 2 weeks.  The first few days I was on steroid pills so I felt good.  Around day 4 after the treatment though I felt very achy and tingly in my arms, legs, and back.  It didn't last long in my back thank goodness!  But it has taken longer to lighten up in my arms and legs.  Today it is still there but not nearly like it was.  I feel good enough to be up moving around and even doing some laundry!  With each day that passes it seems to get less and less which is a good thing.  I am hoping that means that my blood counts are getting better and better!

Within the last 2 weeks though I have pretty much lost my eyebrows.  There might be 8 hairs on each side! My eyelashes are thinning as well.  I would not be surprised if they are all gone in a week when I go back for that final treatment.  My thoughts about all of this?  Well of course it stinks, but it also means that the treatment is working and doing what it is supposed to be doing!!  That is what I try to keep as my focus.  The chemo is working!!!  The hair will grow back and I am lucky that it took so long before my eyebrows and eyelashes were affected!

About a week ago I called to check on the roommate I had while in the hospital.  She was doing well and should have gotten her 2nd chemo treatment last Thursday (Jan 30th).  I am hopeful it went well and will probably call her again soon.  She was still so thankful for all of the support from my wonderful army of prayer warriors!!

We have been very blessed with support, kindness, and prayers from so many people!  Thank you friends!

God is SO Good!  All the Time!

Overdue Thank You!

Love like this, Oh my God to find!
I am overwhelmed what a joy divine!
Love like this sets our hearts on fire!

I am sorry it has taken me so long to post about this but I really want to thank my coworkers and students at WGS along with the communities of Woodlawn and Sesser!
On December 18, 2013 they planned a Pink Out basketball game for me with BBQ dinners and very nice raffle gift baskets.  Keep in mind that this is one week before Christmas when things can be crazy busy and these people gave of their time and of their money!  Woodlawn sponsored the event but the Sesser community donated a raffle basket and many also came to eat the dinner and participate in the Pink Out.  I have truly been touched at the generosity of so many people!!  Although I was unable to attend the event, I was able to FaceTime during the dinner and see so many friends which was wonderful!!  I also received several pictures and snapchats of the event so I could still "participate" and feel like I was there!  This was so wonderful and I cannot even say enough about the generosity of these people!

I have kept things somewhat general by not showing pictures of the Pink Out or giving the names of people who worked so hard at putting it together.  Throughout all of my blogs I have not named people specifically because 1) I would want their permission first even though I doubt anyone would mind, and 2) I don't ever want the possibility of inadvertently leaving someone out!
So instead I am just giving a HUGE shout out of thanks to those who were involved in any way!!  They know who they are and they know how AWESOME I think they are!  I am very fortunate to have such giving coworkers and students, and to work in such a caring community!!  Thank you again WGS, Woodlawn, and Sesser!  (and anyone else involved!!)


I am still hooked on the David Crowder song so I am sharing it again!
The link and the lyrics! :)

Click here to hear the song :)

"I Am"

There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place that we can’t find peace
There’s no end to Amazing Grace
Take me in with your arms spread wide
Take me in like an orphan child
Never let go, never leave my side.

I am,
Holding on to You.
I am,
Holding on to You.
In the middle of the storm,
I am Holding on,
I am!

Love like this, Oh my God to find!
I am overwhelmed what a joy divine!
Love like this sets our hearts on fire!

This is my Resurrection Song
This is my Hallelujah Come
This is why it's to You I run
This is my Resurrection Song
This is my Hallelujah Come
This is why it's to You I run
There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place that we can’t find peace
There’s no end to Amazing Grace!

This song makes me want to do a Hallelujah happy dance!

Listen to it!  It will put a smile on your face and hopefully a peaceful feeling in your heart :)

No Treatment? Doctor Says Otherwise :)

^"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. "

Philippians 4:6-7

Just an update on my visit with my doctor yesterday.  My blood work looked really good!  All counts were up which was wonderful news to hear!  The infection seems to be gone!  Thank you Lord!!  My doctor was really pleased with how things were looking and that the infection had cleared.  I was still taking antibiotic so I was just expecting to go home after seeing the doctor.  When I was at the hospital they kept telling me that I would not have a treatment on Tuesady (21st) because I would still be taking the antibiotic.  However, I did get a treatment yesterday!!  Since the infection had cleared, my blood counts looked good, and I was near the end of my antibiotic, my doctor said she felt I was ready for a treatment and could handle it.  This is exactly why I have tried to train my brain to be ready for anything!!  Things can change so quickly!
Also, my doctor has changed my treatment schedule.  Since I was not handling the weekly treatments with my blood counts all over the place and having to miss treatments, my doctor decided to go back to her original plan of treatments every 3 weeks.  It will be a stronger dose with more recovery time.  I will take 2 steroid pills for 3 days and then I anticipate the fatigue to set in (hopefully no nausea!)  Going every 3 weeks will also allow me to take the Neulasta shot again which I responded well to during the first Phase of chemo treatments!  I give myself one shot the day after treatment (today).

I was basically down to 6 weeks of treatments left.  So I had the treatment yesterday and I will not go back until 3 weeks from now which should be February 11th.  (As long as I don't have any trouble in between.  Positive thoughts and prayers that everything will go well!!)
This also means that on February 11th when I go back.....wait for it.....drum roll......it will be my LAST CHEMO TREATMENT!!!  Yayyyyyyy!!!  Woohoo!!!  I am SO happy to be able to say that!!
I will be doing the Hallelujah Happy Dance!!!  (I already am a little!!)

I am taking one day at a time so I can not really say what will happen after chemo.  I know surgery will happen but I do not know what kind or when.  My doctor wants to make an appointment with the surgeon after my last treatment.  They had also told me that they wait at least a month after the last treatment to have the surgery in order to give my body time to recover.  I will keep you all posted as I learn more!  Also, I am pretty sure that after surgery I will have a month of radiation.  Remember how I said things change quickly!  All of this is tentative but reflects what I have been told so far.

Today I called the roommate that I had while in the hospital to see how she has been doing and to let her know that she has an Army of Prayer Warriors in all of you and will be supported through her journey as well.  She was so appreciative and so sweet!  She was doing well and will have her next treatment on January 30th and take her shot on the 31st.  The shot is what made her sick last time so praying she does well with the next one.  She was a little bummed because she has now lost her hair but we talked through that some.  While in the hospital she told me she planned to "rock that bald head" haha!!  But I think she has realized that it is easier said than done!!  I still don't rock the bald head and probably never will!  Haha!

I don't plan to wait 3 weeks to post more blogs.  I have some things I want to post about that are overdue so I will probably use this time to tell about them.

Thank you all once again for the support and prayers!  God is answering those prayers and may He be glorified through all of this!

God is SO Good!!  All The Time!

I also want to share one of my new favorite songs by David Crowder called "I am"!  The words perfectly match my feelings while going through this battle but also beyond that!  The link is below and I have also shared the lyrics.  What a great uplifting song!  Music can be so helpful in our worship for the Lord!

To hear the song, click on this link! It's Awesome!

"I Am"
(performed by Crowder)

[Verse 1:]
There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place that we can’t find peace
There’s no end to Amazing Grace
Take me in with your arms spread wide
Take me in like an orphan child
Never let go, never leave my side.

[Chorus: (2X)]
I am,
Holding on to You.
I am,
Holding on to You.
In the middle of the storm,
I am Holding on,
I am!

[Verse 2:]
Love like this, Oh my God to find!
I am overwhelmed what a joy divine!
Love like this sets our hearts on fire!

[Chorus: (2X)]

[Verse 3:]
This is my Resurrection Song
This is my Hallelujah Come
This is why to You I run
This is my Resurrection Song
This is my Hallelujah Come
This is why to You I run
There’s no space that His love can’t reach
There’s no place that we can’t find peace
There’s no end to Amazing Grace

Hospital Visit Instead of a Treatment

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11: 28-30


I don't even know where to start!  The last couple of days have not been easy and I am thankful to be back home!  The bottom line is that I had an infection, was admitted to the hospital Tuesday (14th) for initial treatment of the infection, got to come home Wednesday (15th).  I did not have a chemo treatment because of this infection.  I will not have a treatment next Tuesday (21st) either because I will still be on an antibiotic. However I will still have an appointment with my oncologist next Tuesday!
During this time there were an abundance of answered prayers, many wonderful stories, and many blessings!!  If you want to know about the details of my stay, or about those wonderful stories and answered prayers...keep reading.  I have a lot to tell about!!   :)

The week since my last treatment:
My last treatment was on Tuesday, January 7th.  Since my white cell count was low that day I had to give myself a shot a day for the 5 days following the treatment.  All of that went fine and I actually felt pretty good on those days!  Sunday, January 12th was my last shot.  All was going good.  Monday morning I noticed my left breast (where the cancer is) had a little pinkness to it and I thought maybe I had just put pressure on it while sleeping or something.  That day, I was really more concerned about my dog who had been scratched in the eye by a cat and had to have surgery and stitches. (This happened in our own fenced in back yard. We don't have a cat. Not a fan of cats. Especially now!)  Anyway, by the evening, there was even more pinkness.  While trying to sleep that night it became very sore and sensitive to even my shirt brushing against it.  I had an appointment with my oncologist on Tuesday, Janueary 14th (the next morning) so I knew I could talk to her about it.  I was concerned because of how fast things changed.  My doctor thought it was an infection but couldn't know for sure until I had some antibiotic to see if these symptoms changed.  The unnerving part was wondering what it meant if the symptoms did not change with antibiotic.  My doctor wasn't able to give me a concrete answer about that concern.  (I never thought I would pray to have an infection, but that is what I started doing.)  Then she explained further that the antibiotic needed to be given through IV to go directly into my system so we could find out results quicker.  This meant being admitted to the hospital at Barnes-Jewish Cancer Center.

The medical details of my stay at the hospital:
They started my first dose of antibiotic at around 1:30 in the afternoon. (I thought it was going to be continuous through the IV but it wasn't).  It was going to take over an hour for the dosage to go through the IV so Mike left to get me some things I might need for the night.  The look on his face when he returned about an hour later was priceless.  I had had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and I guess my face was RED...more than sunburnt red...like dark red paint red!  The nurse happened to come in not long after and said it is a common allergic reaction called "Red Man Syndrome"...go figure.  She stopped the IV and the redness went away within 30 minutes.  Sorry, don't have any pics!  Because of the reaction, it was debated on whether to continue doses every 12 hours or every 24 hours, but I would still get the same antibiotic.  As of 6 o'clock that night the decision was 24 hours which would have meant a longer stay in the hospital.  But by 7:30 that night the decision was back to 12 hours so my next dosage would start around 1:30 in the morning.  They made it so the antibiotic would be given slower and also with a saline solution (I think?) to dilute it a little in hopes of no other reaction, but, I still had a slight reaction with redness to my forehead.  Benedryl to the rescue.

I could save myself a lot of the roller coaster of emotions if I would just learn to not decide how I think things are going to go.  I had just determined in my mind that after 2 doses of a strong antibiotic through an IV meant I was going to see some major changes by the next day.  False. Wrong.  The doctor never said that! So why did I think it?  Because my oncologist said that antibiotic through the IV would give quicker results...translation by Karen Neal :  a couple of doses through the IV and this infection should be almost gone.   Oh my goodness I am my own worst enemy sometimes!!

By the next morning there was only slight improvement in the soreness and I really wasn't sure about changes in the pinkness even though the doctor had outlined it on my skin with an ink pen to be able to monitor any changes.  The doctor checked on me around 10 that morning and when she looked at everything, she saw progress!  Thank goodness!!   I had a great doctor there and she was SO patient with me because that is when I started asking more detailed questions (with tears flowing) and tried not to translate her answers into Karen Neal's language!!  I had questions about how soon I could expect to see more visible progress, how long before the pinkness would go away, why didn't we see drastic changes, how many more doses of antibiotic did they plan to give me, etc...so many questions!  I was just planning on getting my next dose around 1:30 that afternoon but at around noon the nurse told me I was going to get a pill form of an antibiotic soon and that I was going home later that day!!!  Woohoo!!  That was a great moment!  Every 6 hours I now take a pill form of an antibiotic for the next week.  I knew being in the hospital was what was needed but I do not like being away from my family and friends!  I was released around 3pm and home by about 5:30.

My roommate at the hospital:
I will never really be able to describe her accurately enough but she was a sweet women!  She was 44 and in the hospital because she got sick after her 1st chemo treatment.  She had been in the hospital since early Saturday morning around 1am.  Those are details that I think are important to know with other things I want to say about her.  She was very open about her situation so she would tell you more than that if you would meet her!!  I really believe that God orchestrates things and this is such an example!   The roommate she had previously was moved to a different room the morning I was admitted.  She and I think that that is because we were supposed to meet each other!  My thoughts go further than that.  I think that I was supposed to be her roommate so that she could be a part of the time I had with my visitors and my family.  I had two friends come see me Tuesday night and not only did they show me love, encouragement, and support but they showed my roommate the same.  As if they had been friends for years!  Wednesday morning my pastor and a deacon friend came to see me to also offer encouragement, scripture, and prayer.  My roommate was a part of some of the conversation with them and my pastor got a bit of time to speak with her!  This is God's work so perfectly orchestrated!  Later Wednesday I had two more friends come visit and offer encouragement and support for me and they also showed great love for my roommate.  They had brought with them a book of encouraging scripture along with a Chris Tomlin CD.  My friends were going to give those gifts to me but it did not take long into the visit for all of us to know that my roommate was the one who should get these gifts.
While we are both believers in Jesus Christ, my roommate and I live very different lives.  She is a believer who has moved away from her 'home' church and has not found a new church to go to.  She does not have near the support system that I have been so blessed with.  My stay at the hospital was approximately 28 hours.  During this time I had 6 visitors (with more scheduled if I would have stayed longer) and my husband there with me.  I also had FaceTime with both of my girls (which my roommate was a part of also!), so many text messages, and several phone calls.  During those 28 hours she did not have a single visitor of her own.  I know that she had a couple of visitors previously (the pastor from that 'home' church of hers drove 3 hours to see her!!) and I know that it doesn't mean anything against her family.  She has 2 grandbabies living in her home that her family needed to take care of and she did not want them around any sickness at a hospital.  I still just felt a little sad for her.  I had told friends that a visit was not necessary but now I see just how important they were....for me and for my roommate!


I am sorry to not post earlier with details and information.  I really did not have enough information and probably wouldn't have accurately given the information that I did have.

Thank you once again my Army of Prayer Warriors!!  Please continue the prayers and remember my roommate if you will!  Even though I didn't give her name, God will know who you are praying for!!

God is SO Good!!  All the Time!!