Well tomorrow is the big day and I am beyond ready.  Since I can’t eat breakfast or drink coffee in the morning, my sweet hubby took me to Denny’s tonight so I could have breakfast for dinner and have my cup of joe (thus the reason I am still up at this hour – I can just sleep tomorrowJ).  Luckily we have to be at the hospital at 5:30 (did I say luckily??) and surgery is at 7:30 so I won’t have to go too long wishing I had my morning cup of coffee. 

The girls in the pool at the timeshare we stayed at in Vegas

Me and my big girl at the bowling alley

As I have shared with some friends and family, I am anxious to have the surgery but am also anxious to get it done (if that makes any sense).  Looking back I am so glad I did not have the surgery last month as I initially thought.  The last few weeks have been awesome – spending quality time with my girls and hubby, having fun making memories, and enjoying some R &R.  Recovering from surgery would have thrown a huge wrench in the fun we had.  We spent a week in Vegas and a week at the Harbor in Oceanside.  Good times and fun memories were made.  In Vegas we swam, visited the M & M factory, went to Gameworks, ate at the Rainforest café as well as saw a comedy/magic show with a friend and his daughter, saw a mermaid show, visited Mt. Charleston where we went hiking with some friends (it was 30 degrees cooler than Vegas – a nice change for a day), went bowling a few times and of course did a little gambling which involved Shawn playing craps with Steve and me playing slots.  We didn’t bet much and didn’t win much either, but that is okay since its more entertainment then anything with us.  The Harbor was a blast too with hanging at the beach and swimming at the pool at the condo we stayed at (thanks to my lovely in-laws).  We also celebrated Karyssa’s 6^th birthday there with family and friends – such a fun time!

At the Lodge in Mt Charleston

Waiting for the Mac King Magic Show to begin

My hair continues to grow – yeah!  It’s simply marvelous to see hair on my head again even though it’s much darker than I had anticipated.  Oh well, nothing that a box of hair color can’t change in time.  What was crazy is that I lost my eyebrows and the last of my eyelashes after I was done with chemo and they are finally growing back as well.  I couldn’t believe how fast my eyelashes grew back.  I only had to go a week without any eyelashes and now I have lashes all the way across on both lids.  My bottom lashes are much longer than my top so hopefully my top with catch up and then some.  Thinking about my hair loss and re-growth adventure I came up with some observations and thoughts on the whole ordeal:

©       Losing my hair and watching its slow re-growth makes me appreciate “bed head” which I had for the first time (in a long time) the other morning

©       I have never been so happy to see my cowlick

©       My natural hair color is revealed after “hiding” for the past 11 years

©       For the second time in my life I have non-treated, non-colored baby soft hair that I can’t stop touching (Shawn will ask me why I keep rubbing my head and I just tell him I love the way my hair feels as well as its soothing to touch it – I know I am strange)

©       Being bald you get to see the true shape of your head and mine is not pretty with a flat part in the back followed by two bumps.  Thank God my hair is long enough now to cover all that!

©       One word – sideburns

In about three weeks my mom and my girls will be heading up to Forest Home in the San Bernardino Mountains for the annual Mother Daughter retreat.  My mom and I have been going to this since I was a little girl.  What is really cool and special about this year’s retreat is that one of the speakers has been on her own personal breast cancer journey.  How awesome is that!?  Just another example of how God works in our lives and gives us little blessings for us to enjoy. 

Fun at the M & M factory

Of course we had to get a pic of the dads

Regarding the reconstructive portion of my surgery, there is a chance that Dr. Camberos my plastic surgeon may be able to do immediate reconstruction and put the implants in tomorrow at time of surgery.  If that happen then I would not have to deal with the expanders, having them filled over time and them going back for an additional surgery to have the implants put in.  It all depends on how my skin looks and if there is enough of it.  Dr. Camberos said if my skin looks healthy and there is enough skin left he will put in the implants and call it a day.  Okay not his exact words, but you know what I am saying.  Please pray that he will make the best decision tomorrow in the operating room.

Celebrating Shawn's bday at the Rainforest Cafe. 

"Happy Birthday to you!"

Prayer is powerful!  This past Friday I was not doing so hot.  I had body aches, chills, slight fever, sore throat and glands the size of golf balls.  My first thought was, “No we can NOT delay surgery.  I have to get better by the end of the weekend.  I really really want to have surgery on Wednesday”.  I asked for prayer and by the end of the weekend I was 100% better.  Thank you Jesus and to all of you that lifted me up in prayer!

Me and my fabulous hubby!!

Celebrating Karyssa's bday

I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t nervous about tomorrow but at the same time I rest in peace in my Heavenly Father’s loving and healing arms.  Just this morning my mom sent me the below email she had received from a dear friend.  It ministered to me and encouraged me – just what I needed as I reflected on what was to come.  I see myself as one of those little birds being protected and safe under my Father’s wings. 

No idea who caught this shot, but one thing for sure they were at the right place at the right time

Reminds me of Psalm 91:4, He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

The photographer caught this special moment, what a privilege to see

If all goes well I should only have to stay in the hospital for one night.  I have confidence in Jesus that He will be in that operating room with my surgeons watching over me.  He is so faithful in taking care of me and healing me which fills me with such comfort and peace.  Your prayers and encouragement continues to bless and uplift me – thank you!!! 

Resting in Him,

Kelly