My dear friend,

How long is a piece of string? Well, I’m not going to string you along, for sure, but there isn’t much certain news. Anything and everything may change. But, God will not change…I’m hanging on to His promises, especially that He knows all about my situation, has a plan for my life and has made it quite clear He will be with me continually. Thank you for hanging on to God’s promises along with me and for your prayers and loving concern. When Dr Richie Gillespie, the surgeon, told me this morning she will do the best she can and pray a lot, I was able to tell her that she will be prayed for all around the world. What a gift to me to be able to say that! Thank you!

When I last wrote my arm was red, raw and sore from the radiation treatments.  It’s looking much better. This morning the surgeon was happy with how well the skin has healed. Dr Richie Gillespie is keen to preserve as much of my arm as possible and avoid amputation. I still don't know the exact outcome of surgery but I do know that I’m having surgery on my right arm on Thursday 10th January.

The outcome depends on whether my radial artery is involved in the tumor. If the radial artery can be preserved, I can do quite well apparently without the ulna artery, which will definitely have to be cut out. Dr Richie Gillespie says she will probably be peeling the radial artery off the tumor, but she hopes very much to leave me with blood supply to my hand. The function of the hand will be greatly decreased, even if she can save my arm.  If the radial artery is not retrievable she will need to proceed to an amputation. She was adamant that this would be her last resort.

The surgery will likely take three to four hours. Please pray for that time, especially that I recover quickly and don't have any chest problems after surgery. Then I really need you to pray that the skin, which has been damaged by radiation, will heal well.

The next day or two will be busy. Tomorrow I go back to Fort Worth for all the pre-op blood tests, and X rays, and hospital admission procedures. On Wednesday I have an appointment locally with the chemotherapy doctor. Interestingly Dr Richie Gillespie said today that I might not need another course of chemotherapy. That too will be a judgment call depending on what she finds during surgery. On Thursday we need to be at the hospital in Fort Worth by 6:30 am.  I am so glad Brian is now with us to help in all kinds of ways and to do the driving back and forth. Val is planning to stay with me in the hospital. At the moment we are expecting that I'll be in hospital for two or three days.  

God is answering your prayers. I am sure the ball of string is unrolling as He planned and He knows how long it is. Smiles. I am not unraveling, thankfully, and am experiencing peace in the midst of uncertainty. Please keep on praying and loving me through.

Much love and many thanks,

June