One week away

Well we are one week away from Alyson's mastectomy. We went and visited our surgeon today to have our last minute questions answered. During the course of the visit, the doctor described the operation as a "simple mastectomy". I found those words ironic. What the heck is simple about a mastectomy? I am not sure there is much simple about any mastectomy...anyway I found that sort of interesting.

It looks like the surgery will take place about 11:00 am on April 4th. We will get to the hospital around 8:30 am to begin the whole process. The breast surgeon's part will take about 1.5-2 hrs, and then the plastic surgeon will do his part, which will take about an hour-ish. The one big concern that Alyson has is the lymph node part of the surgery. Everything will be fine as long as the lymph nodes "map". That means that when they put the dye into Alyson, they can find her lymph nodes and see if the cancer has affected them. If the dye maps, then they will stop there. If they do not, they will take all of her lymph nodes from the armpit area. Alyson does not want them to take her lymph nodes. So I ask that you pray that her lymph nodes will "MAP" so that the doctors do not have to take them all out.

Alyson is in great spirits, and you would never know she is "sick" in any way. Which is the frustrating part for me. I see her everyday and I look at her and she looks great. Don't get me wrong, I don't want her to look sick or have anything associated with being sick. It's just weird to me.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers and words of encouragement. That has all been absolutely amazing. We are getting cards from people that we really don't even know. Cards that all say that they are praying for Alyson. This whole experience is surreal. The "Church" has been so good to us. My mom's church, Ortonville Baptist Church, Lake Orion C of C, all have been absolutely amazing. I am here to say, that God is Love, and His Love is STRONG. We see and feel Him through your prayers and words of encouragement. Our small group in Texas is getting together on Sunday just to pray for Alyson. Y'all are awesome!!!!!!!!

I will update you after the surgery.

April 4th 11:00 am William Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak, MI

Pray that Alyson's Lymph nodes "map". Thank you all so much.

He is almost 1 yr. old

Brooks will be 1 year old on April 5th. We are so excited to have his big birthday bash.

Surgery has been Scheduled

Alyson has made her decision on what we are going to do regarding surgery. She has decided that the best option for her is to have a single mastectomy(left side) followed by chemo-therapy. The surgery is set for April 4th. It seems so far away from now, but that just seems to go along with the theme of "sit and wait". Alyson is doing great (as usual). Her spirits are great and her attitude is phenomenal. The timing of the surgery is a day before Brooks' first birthday on the 5th. We are trying to figure out when and where to celebrate his birthday. We will probably do it early so that it is one less stress to worry about before the surgery. I will keep you posted as we find things out or if the surgery is changed to an earlier date.

We love you all and greatly appreciate your continued prayers.