15 ~ The Calm Before the Storm: Preparation

November 2016

I decided I would make life easier on myself and get a haircut prior to my surgery. As you can see in the picture below, it is really thin. Thanks Chemo! I wanted it to be easier to take care of vs my longer hair and it also hides the amount of hair I am losing, well, a little bit. This way instead of a handful of hair after each washing/combing/brushing, it was just a little bit and easier on my psyche to take!

          Being that is was November when my laparoscopy was done, I had already decided I needed to get all the Christmas presents for my side of the family bought and wrapped so that I could sit back and relax after my upcoming surgery and not have to worry about those details. I have never had Christmas preparations done that far ahead of time!!!

          My husband and I got to go out to a nice restaurant for our 11^th wedding anniversary with a restaurant gift card and babysitting from our church’s Auction for Missions that we bid on and won. We had a great time doing something normal and celebrating prior to my surgery.

          My sweet friend and Thirty-One sister, Beth, came by one day as I was wrapping presents, to drop something off to me that I had been expecting. What I wasn’t expecting was a chemo care package that other Thirty-One sisters on our team, as well as some I had never met and from different states, had contributed. It was one of our totes filled with all sorts of goodies, gift cards and greeting cards! I was a blubbering mess! I love this company! We look out for each other!

          Prior to my surgery, Mary came down to, again, take care of Melina, the fur girls and the house, and then me once I came home from yet another surgery. This was huge, but even huger than ever because this woman bakes. I don’t mean a tray of cookies here and there, but dozens upon dozens of cookies and other goodies to give to friends, family, churches, old folks homes, etc. She ended up bringing her supplies down and baking here!

          Preparation gives us time to get things and ourselves together prior to “something”. That something could be good or bad. In my case it was both. The type of surgery I was going to have was hopefully the cure for my type of cancer. I also knew, as with any surgery, that it was going to cause me a lot of pain and discomfort. What comforted me was the fact that I was opened up before for abdominal surgery and I knew what to expect for the recovery, or so I thought. I was actually excited for my surgery! How many others can say that? I was also prepared for the miracle with which I hoped God would bless me.