The Blessings of a Prayer Support Team!

        

     Our daughter, Shanda, had extensive breast cancer surgery last Monday, June 29. There were many things to pray about: her protection during the long operation; peace of mind for the entire family; wisdom and guidance for the surgeons; decisions which had to be made during the surgery; a good recovery from the anesthesia; and for our son-in-law while he waited. The distance between our home in Springville and the family in Michigan seemed to grow even greater.
     Chris, Shanda’s husband, kept us in the loop by emailing during the day. The first one was sent just as she went into the operating room: “Shanda just went into surgery, singing ‘Oklahoma’ on the way in.  She's in great spirits.  Rev. Laurie Haller from church came and spent time with me, and then said prayers with Shanda and me in prep before she went in.” What a blessing that one of the pastors from their church family came and prayed with them!

     And why was Shanda singing the chorus from the musical “Oklahoma?” It was a tradition which came after a previous surgery when the nurses and doctor told her that she had sung some lines from “Oklahoma!” An upbeat way to go into surgery!

    He emailed us again after the first half of the procedure. “Ok, the surgeon just came out and the first part of the surgery is done, sentinel node came up negative for cancer (yay!), so it appears the chemo did exactly what it was supposed to.”  Only a few nodes had to be removed. He added that she would be eligible for the trial group to skip radiation. Good news!

    The last update from Chris was that she was out of surgery and in recovery. The total time was about six and a half hours. When our phone rang later that evening, we were amazed to hear Shanda’s voice on the other end of the line. She too was happy at the outcome of the surgery. “It was so much easier than the chemo! If I could get out of bed and do a happy dance right now, I would!”

     Yes, there were many reasons for us to be happy…so many answers to prayer. Shanda was able to return home the next day, where she was made comfortable on the recliner in the family room.

     Many relatives and friends spent the day thinking of her and praying, even while at work. Those who received Chris’ emails sent their encouragement and enthusiasm at the good prognosis. My brother Jack wrote this email after I had notified my side of the family about the results: “That's GREAT NEWS. Tomorrow night is my last men's bible study. We spent 14 weeks and went over every chapter in Romans. It's amazing that she had just started chemo when we began chapter 1 and now she ends with SUCCESS the night before our class ends. She was on every one of my prayer cards every week. All 10 men in my group have prayed for her since our first day. It's a GOOD DAY. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!” 

     Amen! All of the prayer support could be felt and was so appreciated (still is!) As my husband says, “God is the great Physician!”

    
     Dear Lord, Thank you for all of the people who faithfully prayed for Shanda as she went through the chemo treatments and then surgery. And thank you for hearing our united prayers. Help us to be faithful to pray for one another. We love you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 NIV