Message from Rhonda

It’s three days and counting until my surgery. It seems like I’ve been dealing with cancer for a long time; alot has happened since I first heard the news, as you know from Denise’s e-mails. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to go in and get the surgery done. I have been so thankful for these past four weeks, that I’ve had my good health back, to have been able to catch up with my family (especially being able to help Andrea plan her wedding) and with many of our friends, and of course the every day duties of our lives. I am really looking forward to this coming weekend. My family will all be home and we’ll have a couple of days to spend together. I am especially excited to see my granddaughter, Kaitlyn!

The closer the surgery gets, the more anxious I feel which I think is normal for anyone having surgery. Hopefully we’ll have more answers about the cancer after it is surgically removed. I know everyone has alot of the same questions we have, but the doctors really can’t tell me any more until after the surgery. They are treating it as a Stage III cancer. They will remove about a foot of colon. Because of the location and the stage, the doctors think I will have to wear a colostomy bag temporarily. Although the surgery is scheduled at Allen Hospital at 10:00 a.m., I have to be at the hospital at 5:30 a.m. Monday morning. The surgery will last about three hours. I will be in the hospital for three to five days, and then about three to four weeks of recovery at home. They tell me, after about four weeks of recovery, I will begin twelve weeks of chemo.

So many people have told me that I have been strong and positive through all of this. I can’t say that I’m not nervous or a little scared about my upcoming surgery, I’ve never had surgery before, but I put my faith, hope and trust in God, and I ask that you all do the same. I know and truly believe that it is God who has given me the strength so far to get through all this.

I want to thank everyone again for your care, concerns, thoughts and prayers along with all the cards, food, visits, e-mails, phone calls, etc. I can’t begin to tell you all how much it has meant to me and has truly helped me through the first phase of this journey. One of the church sermons I listened to recently was about how we are all God’s angels; that day, sitting in church, I truly realized that all of you are God’s angels, and have been here doing God’s work for me and my family during these past few months. I know that I have been very blessed.

Denise will let you all know how the surgery goes on Monday. Many of you have asked what you can do for us. I really don’t know because I haven’t ever been through anything like this. Denise seems to see our needs so I am sure she will share with you those needs. For the time being, please just pray for us.

I love you all and thank God for you.

Rhonda