The Day Cancer Realizes it Picked the Wrong Princess

Today, cancer will realize it picked the wrong princess! 

At 8 am this morning, Wendy-Woo will head to the hospital to start her official  battle with stage 2 breast cancer. She will have a port placed, and after a brief follow up with her oncologist and some labwork, she will begin chemotherapy. It will be the first of four treatments in this first stage of chemo. 

This is a hard day. The unknowns with chemotherapy are so daunting. Will she be sick? Nauseated? Too tired to take care of her family? When will she start to lose her hair?  These are questions we don't know the answers to quite yet, and that leaves all of us close to her feeling a loss of control. It also leaves us uncertain as to how to help... but for today- PRAYER! 

God is not uncertain of Wendy's today. These things are not unknown to Him. In our humanness we may feel uncertain about what He is doing, but in our personal faith walk, we are called to be certain of what we do not see; to have sureness of what we hope for. 

So today, we must call one another to prayer with boldness. Share your hopes for Wendy with our Heavenly Daddy, and share them with faith, hope and certainty that He will answer. Trust that HIS ways are higher than our ways. Then- share them with her as encouragement for this fight! 

Specifically pray:

- For Wendy to have overwhelming peace during her procedures today. Limited pain at her insertion site. As few side effects as possible. The support network that she needs at her side. Loving nurses who explain processes and expectations in a way she can understand. To physically feel the arms of her Heavenly Daddy wrapped around her. To feel the prayers of her army being lifted up for her. 

- For Andy to have overwhelming peace during her procedures today. For him to remain strong at her side and be a source of laughter, love and encouragment. For him to feel loved and supported as a caregiver, and to have the support network he needs when the load gets too heavy. To have peace and release from fear and helplessness.  

- For Ashlyn to have peace from fear and helplessness. For strength as the oldest sibling, and to lead in love and grace. For her to find support and love from friends and family. 

- For Taylor as she is away at camp this week during a highly emotional time for her mom. For relief from any anxiety she maybe having while away. For her own health during a stressful and sleep deprived week at camp. For peace and understanding of her role of daughter at this time. 

- For Luke that he may have peace from fear and helplessness. That he may understand his role as son at this time. That he may find support from his parents and other family when needed. 

Wendy is one of the strongest women I know, and she isn't going to "choose" being sick on this journey. Last night she was celebrating life and showing cancer who's boss with her Orange Crush teammates at BWW's instead of letting cancer win. She sent her daughter to camp with her best friend this week instead of keeping her birdie in the nest because she knew God has something in store for her here. She's looking forward to a concert later this month with her church family - I dare you cancer, try to mess with that. You messed with the wrong princess. Be ready for the strike out. 

Many blessings to you, Wendy's army. Your love and strength are felt and heard. I know many of you are willing to help Wendy in unlimited ways; but, I ask respectfully that for this first treatment you give Andy and Wendy (and family) space to understand what that need actually looks like. Their desire is to keep things as "normal" as possible for their family while at the same time appreciating the tremendous outpouring of willing hands. You have my word that when the time comes they need something specific, we will let you know! In the meantime, you prayers and posts of encouragment are overwhelmingly appreciated, and laughter and humor are a bonus! Also, Wendy's favorite color is Orange (for her fav softball team AND fav Orange Leaf fro-yo, of course)! So anytime you want to post a pic in your most awesome orange and tell her you are thinking of her, that would be awesome too! Thanks for your unending support! 

Let us pray boldly now FOR TODAY. Fear, Pain, Sickness - 0. Wendy-Woo, strike 1.

Many blessings! K