Personal Request for Prayer

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

Life has been hectic for the past month or so and it has become so because of a health issue related to my wife. We learned over a month ago that there was a problem in my wife’s right breast. Originally, they thought it a simple “lunpectomy” would be required; removal of a small portion of the breast material.

After numerous scans including a 3D MRI, it was determined that the area was too large for a lumpectomy. Imagine our surprise when the breast surgeon told us he was recommending removal of the breast. It was a bit of a shock. The doctor indicated that because the nipple and areola were involved, saving the nipple, areola and breast was really not possible, although he was clear that he would do what we wanted and if my wife wanted him to save her nipple and areola, he would do that. If we went that route, radiation/chemo would be required. The result of this is to have a mastectomy (removal of one breast).

The doctor indicated that at present, there was no actual cancer. However, he and the radiologist agreed that if nothing was done, cancer would likely be the result. It’s called Ductal Carcinoma in Sita (DCIS). At present, only the interior of the ducts within the breast were affected, but at some point, it could “break out” of the ducts and affect the entire breast at which point, cancer would be the result.

As you can imagine, we were stunned and didn’t know how to proceed. We met with the plastic surgeon who works in conjunction with the breast doctor and were pleased to learn that this wouldn’t be his first rodeo. In fact, this particular plastic surgeon had pioneered numerous breast reconstruction surgeries in Europe and the United States. It was interesting that he was “coincidentally” in our neck of the woods.

As we met with the plastic surgeon, he reiterated that without radiation/chemo, it would be impossible to save the nipple and areola. There were three lines of attack that he went through with us and the one he believed to be best in this situation is what is known as the DIEP Flap surgery.

In this procedure, the patient’s own fat, a very small section of stomach muscle, and blood vessels are taken from the stomach area resulting in a “tummy tuck.” The fat, muscle, and blood vessels are then placed under the patient’s arm using microsurgery. This allows the newly formed breast to have blood flow and even feeling. Ultimately, what is nice about this is that my wife will have her own skin, her own fat, and her own blood vessels. As long as her body does not reject the “transplant,” things should be fine.

Once the surgery is complete, the healing begins and roughly four to six months later, during a second outpatient surgery, my wife will have her new right breast fine-tuned and a nipple added. The third procedure is to have an areola tattooed on around the newly created nipple.

The first surgery – which occurs tomorrow morning (Friday), will last from four to six hours with a two to three-hour recovery period before she goes to a private room. My wife will spend a few nights in the hospital, either to be released Sunday or Monday.

As anyone can imagine, both of us will feel a sense of loss; my wife because she is losing a part of her body. For me, I’ll feel the loss for my wife.

I’m asking that all prayer warriors join me in praying for tomorrow’s first surgery and recovery period. Would you join me in asking the Lord for the following things:

1. That God would guide the doctors, the surgical techs, the anesthesiologist, and everyone else connected with this surgery, that their expertise and wisdom would do what is best for my wife.
2. That the transplanted blood vessels, fat, and muscle would not be rejected by my wife’s body. If this happens, then the only other option is to go with breast implants. This would also mean dealing with the left breast to make them both look the same. If the DIEP Flap technique is successful, the plastic surgeon will not have to touch the left breast and he will simply concentrate on forming the new right breast to match the left.
3. That God, the Great Physician, would provide a smooth healing, one without problems and difficulties.
4. That God would give me more patience than I’ve ever had so that I can be for my wife what she needs me to be. I welcome the chance to be her servant and her personal valet. That also involves cooking and I’ve already begun practicing.
5. That God would provide caring, compassionate nurses who will care for my wife after the surgery during her stay in the hospital.

All of the above should be asked for in the mindset of “not my will, but His will be done.” My wife and I are both trusting the Lord as best as we can. We have no idea why this has occurred and may never know in this life. Certainly, my wife’s experience will be beneficial to other women whom my wife may be in a position to counsel. God is in control and whatever happens, we know it is because of His will and tender mercies.

We have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning around 6:00am (EST), for a surgery that may begin around 7:00am. We are so appreciative of the prayers of people in our church and friends. I will be keeping them posted through group texts and will try to update this blog with new information as I can.

I’d like to thank you ahead of time for your prayers, for your commitment to seek the Lord’s will on our behalf. We want more than anything to glorify Him and trust Him for whatever the results happen to be.

I confess that when my wife has to undergo surgical procedures, I tend to get slightly defensive because protecting her is out of my hands. I need obviously to give that to the Lord so that His peace that passes all understanding will guard my heart and mind. Would you pray that for me as well?

We have full trust in the expertise of the two surgeons involved in this surgery. Moreover, we believe God is in charge and will personally oversee.

Women, may I insist that you have mammograms done routinely. If not for that, this would not have been caught early and even in spite of the fact that it was caught early, it is still amazing how quickly it grew from almost nothing to something that is nearly 3″ across and about 2″ wide.

Thank you so much for your prayers. It is greatly appreciated.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective