The Scoop.

Let me give you the scoop... (For the record, that ⬆️⬆️ is Baskin Robbins peanut butter chocolate, Wendy's favorite scoop. Don't tell Andy. He doesn't work for Baskin Robbins.) 

I know it has been a while since I updated- sorry, not sorry! That just means since the end of chemo, though life has not been without challenges, things have been pretty good. Wendy's favorite line when asked how she is doing: "Can't complain (and it wouldn't help if I did!)" 

Wendy's labs have remained mostly stable since the end of chemotherapy. She did receive one final blood transfusion the day after her last treatment, but has not needed another, which is a blessing! She has continued to take the oral supplements for her potassium and sodium levels, but they seem to be working at keeping things stable. Her energy is improving everyday, and we are just waiting patiently to see signs of new hair!! 

She has continued to wage battle with her ear, and saw an ENT before Christmas to help her over the hump of constantly being in a "tunnel". Thankfully, the pain has improved; and, after a round of steroids and some nasal spray, it is slowly clearing up. 

Wendy saw her surgeon on December 14. It was a great visit, and both she and Andy walked away with a lot of answers and a general peace over what would happen next. It was, as expected, a fire hose of information, but the plan is in place! Wendy will undergo outpatient surgery Monday, January 11th- the official Phase II of Striking Out Breast Cancer. 

The surgeon repeated her mammogram and reported the CANCER APPEARS TO BE GONE (pause for celebration....) (....more cheering) (....look to Heaven and thank GOD!) Therefore, the surgery will focus on two areas: 1) cleaning out the borders of the area where the tumor was located, and 2) removing any lymph nodes that were affected (presumably, this is one lymph node; however, they will test the surrounding areas to be certain and remove anything suspicious). 

This procedure is outpatient, as I mentioned, and Wendy will be allowed to go home the same day. There will be some minor restrictions, but they are unclear as to what those are until the results of the surgery are revealed. 

Wendy has never had surgery before, so while she is ready to conquer this next hurdle, it is certainly a little mind boggling and nerve-wracking! (or nerve-racking, per Merriam- apparently both are acceptable...sorry for the aside.)

Following surgery, she will recover for approximately 4 weeks before preparing for and beginning the final phase of treatment, radiation therapy. 

Friends, it has been 192 days since hearing the dreadful truth that led us here, 4 days before surgery. But our God is faithful, our friend is mighty, and our ultimate battle is WON. Join with me to pray for Wendy as we head toward Monday: 

-- Pray for Wendy's general health. While she is improving, we still must pray for her labs, and for her overal energy and wellness. Pray that gates of protection would surround her and nothing will delay her surgery!

-- Pray for Wendy's ear. While it has improved significantly, it needs to continue to heal. 

-- Pray for ultimate peace over Wendy and Andy on Monday (as well as her kids and her family.) Pray for a successful outcome with as little invasion as possible, for minimal pain, for the stable hand of her doctor, for no infection, for an easy recovery, and for encouraging news!  

-- Pray for Andy, Wendy and their kids. There have been many successes and many setbacks in this battle, and though we celebrate the HUGE successes, we also face realities that are still hard! Let us not forget to pray for strength and to offer encouragement!

-- Pray for Hal and Nancy as they continue to care for their kids and grandkids! 

Thank you for joining me on Team Wendy-Woo! Monday, as my bestie puts on her big girl pants and braves surgery, please put on your Woo-Wear in support of Wendy as a reminder to PRAY ALL DAY! Post pics and send a note to encourage her on her big day (but be gracious and don't expect a response- she is gonna be a little busy!) Look forward to an update as soon as I have one! (If you need some special Woo-Wear, let me know- I still have t-shirts and bracelets available!) 

So...that's the scoop for now. Sit back and watch God finish what He has started! 

"I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Isaiah 46:4

Blessings - K

It Happened Today...Hooray!

So THIS happened today: 

Wendy has OFFICIALLY RUNG THE BELL! Chemotherapy treatment 16 of 16 completed! What a wonderful celebration that is! May we give GLORY to God! Phase one of Wendy-Woo Striking Out Breast Cancer is OVER!!

Please, please continue to pray as Wendy has some additional tests/treatments done this week, including a blood transfusion tomorrow, as her red blood cells were low today. More updates to come...but for today I will leave you with this!

So it is said..."And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Philippians 4:19-20

 Blessings, K

The Final Countdown

Well, friends...it's the final countdown to Wendy Woo's last chemo treatment! It has been a long week since treatment no. 11, with some very frustrating and nerve-wrecking setbacks along the way, but we are choosing to look forward to the week ahead! 

Tomorrow, Wendy heads in to discuss surgery details with her surgeon. It is a BIG appointment, as they are hoping to schedule a date for surgery in early 2016. Updates to come... standby. 

She also has a WBC booster planned for tomorrow, in hopes that ALL levels are chemo-ready on TUESDAY! 

And finally, IF all is well, Tuesday afternoon will mark 16 of 16 total chemotherapy treatments and the END of this phase of striking out breast cancer! 

Friends - I couldn't possibly over-emphasize how important prayer is in the next 48 hours. I KNOW you all think of them and pray often, but please, please lift them up. They are still fighting and WILL NOT quit, but they are understandably weary. Ready to be done with this phase and put it behind them!! Every setback is a heartbreak, and we are trusting God for His best this week!

- Pray for Wendy's appointment tomorrow with the surgeon. There will be a lot of new information and a formal reality (the date) for the next step. Pray that she is not overwhelmed but comforted by the plan. 

- Pray for Wendy's WBC and for success of the booster shots she has received Thursday, Friday and tomorrow morning. 

- Pray for Wendy's ear, which is still giving her fits. Though it seems the infection is improving, she still cannot hear well. She will likely need to see an ENT.

- Pray for her RBC's and for her energy levels! We are praying for a transfusion free week again!

- Pray for her general health and well being, and for her heart. Cancer is a very isolating experience. Life goes on for everyone around her, leaving her feeling so out of the loop, and wishing she was in the hustle and bustle too. While we cannot understand fully what she is going through, we can empathize and pray for strength and peace! 

- Pray for Andy- her rock and caregiver. How incredibly hard it must be to watch your life partner and mother of your children suffer. Pray for his heart; for strength and peace as he stays in step with her, caring for her, the kids, working and ministering to others. 

- Pray for the kids. These last two weeks have been especially trying, and they have been rockstars.  Pray for their hearts, and for their schedules as well. 

- Pray for Hal and Nancy. They have had an extra load to carry as well. Pray that God would watch over them and grant them peace. 

Look for an update coming soon. In the meantime, cling to God. In the midst of our powerlessness to take this reality from Wendy, we need HIM more than ever. God is so very faithful. ALWAYS. He is an awesome God, mighty to save. As we pray together in one voice for our sister, it is sweet incense to Him. 

God proved His love for us by having His only Son Jesus suffer on our behalf, that we might be with them in heaven one day. And in due time, all things will be made new. In the meantime, we lift up our sister, trusting she is HIS, and KNOWING that He will glorify HIMSELF through her story and His answer to our prayers for her! 

Praying His blessings over YOU tonight- K

Fight Song!

A little update:

Treatment no. 11 of 12 happening NOW! Praise The Lord! Wendy's labs were MORE than adequate for chemo today, and her ear infection is improving!! Last week proved rough, but Wendy-Woo's still got a lot of fight left in her! Singing her fight song loudly today!

Heavy Burdens

This week has carried many burden's for Wendy-Woo... but we are resting in God's promises and have faith in HIS perfect plan. 

Wendy was unable to receive chemotherapy this week at all. As you know, her white blood cells were too low in the beginning of the week to receive therapy. Wednesday night, in the middle of the night, she awoke with severe ear pain. She was able to have the nurse practitioner take a look on Thursday morning, and her suspicions were confirmed...an ear infection. She was quickly placed on antibiotics, given yet another white blood cell booster, and sent home with cancelled chemo this week. 

She returned Friday morning to have her labs rechecked, and was able to see the Dr. Thankfully, her red cell counts had increased, which meant NO TRANSFUSION this week, which was a blessing in light of the chaos of the infusion center amidst a relocation! She did receive yet another white cell booster, since those counts are still borderline low, and has to increase her potassium intake as well. 

Now, we wait til Tuesday! Her ear pain is significantly improved over those first 24 hours, besides the inability to hear super well. Her reds were headed up, as were her whites! BUT WE REALLY NEED THOSE BAD BOYS TO STAY THAT WAY OVER THE WEEKEND! 

This journey has been blessed by the fact that Wendy has not had to fight a lot of illness. We praise God that despite white blood cells that have been in the tanker for quite some time that she has not been sick for prolonged periods. However, this stinks! The week has been filled with frustration and discouragement. And yet, Wendy is DETERMINED to complete this therapy that has been recommended to her. SO, prayer warriors, 2 MORE TREATMENTS it is, and we need to storm the throne of God for His provision! 

Pray for: 

• Wendy's ear and sinuses to heal. 
• Wendy's white blood cells to increase and remain at treatment level. 
• Wendy's red blood cells to remain or increase so no transfusions are needed.
• Wendy's potassium, which is slightly low.
• Wendy's general fatigue and soreness to go away. 
• Wendy's ability to participate in the longings of her heart this weekend: the Christmas Store, church and Luke's musical! 
• For Wendy's heart. Weeks like this remind her much too much that she has cancer. And cancer sucks. We hate cancer. Please pray for a renewal of her peace, hope and joy. 
• For Andy. It is hard to watch your love hurt and sick. It is hard to keep all the balls in the air. It is hard to receive her frustrations. It is hard. But he is a rock. God has gifted him for a time as this. Pray for him.
• For the kids- enough said.
• For Wendy's parents and family as they care for her. 

This week was not a surprise to God. His grace is enough. In His perfect timing, everything will turn out right. This is my declaration. 

Many blessings to each of you, K.

Keeping the Faith in Disappointment

God's plans were not our plans today...Wendy's chemo treatment was once again suspended for low white cells. As we near the end of therapy, her immune system is just wiped out from the chemo, and it takes her body just a little more effort to respond to the booster shots. She received another booster today, and will get yet another tomorrow and return on Friday to re-attempt chemo this week. Her red cells have also dropped, so they will also be monitoring those for the need for another transfusion.

Please continue to pray for Wendy's heart. Today was a disappointment of massive proportion, and she is understandably weary. When our hopeful expectations don't meet up with the reality of our current circumstances, hope is drained from us a bit. Pray that the God of healing, comfort, and peace would envelop her and her family tonight!

Blessings, K

The wrong number...

Well, it wasn't in the numbers today. Wendy was not able to receive chemo no. 11 today, as her WBC count was too low. While she received a booster shot yesterday, it apparently had not had enough time to give her a good boost into the safe zone. She received another booster shot today, and will have her labs rechecked tomorrow. Hopefully, if her counts are significantly improved, she will be able to have chemo and she will be back on target!  

Delay's at this point in the game are hard on the heart. Please remember Wendy in your prayers today, and let's shoot for a STELLAR day tomorrow!! In the meantime, praying HIS Numbers over you tonight, my strong friend! 

Blessings! K