The night before my scheduled surgery, my checklist consisted of 1) take “before” photo of my “cancer breast”, 2) stop eating/drinking by midnight, 3) pray for the surgeon and for my own peaceful sleep. The morning of, the checklist was 1) shower with Hibiclens, 2) wear something comfortable and button-up, 3) remove all jewelry, makeup, lotions, deodorant, 4) pray again for surgeon and all her medical team. I was as prepared as I could be. We were prepared. Peace was God’s gracious gift to me as we drove into Austin.
The surgeon showed up early and was ready to get the show on the road. Prayer warriors were warmed up, ready to intercede on our behalf, and wore their Team Carol t-shirts in support. I told the surgeon that half of Bastrop and friends across the country were praying for her and her team. She, in turn, told us she had prayed for me as well. What a way to warm my heart.
During all the prep (gown, IV, BP, reviewing which body part was to be operated on), the medical staff was so kind. In reviewing my medical history, they became super interested in my past stroke from 30 years ago, peppering me with dozens of questions about reason it happened and recovery from. That kept us all occupied as we rolled down the long halls to the surgery room. The chilly room and bright lights made me thankful for the anesthesia which gently and quickly coaxed me into dreamland. What seemed like only moments later (actually about an hour), I was in recovery with the team saying how well the procedure went. Since I was not experiencing pain and woke up fairly quickly, it was soon time to get dressed for the drive home to Bastrop. Wow – that was quick!
I didn’t experience much pain at all afterward, but they gave me hydrocodone before I left the hospital, just in case the drive home was painful (bumps, braking, seatbelt). Before bed that night, I took my last dose of hydrocodone “just in case” I had trouble sleeping (which I did not). The next day, I barely had pain at all – only slight tenderness. So I transitioned to Tylenol, then within a day to zero pain meds. Since the small incision was securely glued shut, I showered the next day and we took “after” photos. To our surprise, that breast didn’t look horrible. How in the world could the surgeon remove a golf ball-sized section of tissue from my breast without it looking misshapened? She’s talented! We both felt very blessed for the smooth surgery and minimal pain.
Pathology of the surgery tissue would take about a week for results. The following Sunday, one of the hymns we sang at church was A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. My eyes overflowed with with gratefulness for a mighty God.
A mighty Fortress is our God
A Bulwark never failing
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel and hate
On earth is not his equal
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side
The Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He
Lord Sabaoth His Name
From age to age, the same
And He must win the battle.
Martin Luther
My Next Steps 