Dear Faithful Praying Family & Friends,
Thank you for reading my blog, praying, and for leaving comments. I received several comments over the past two days, which greatly encouraged me! It is wonderful to hear from each one of you!
Today is the day for surgery, when Dr. Crooms will implant the Infusa-Port*: I report to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital [TMH] at 12.30 pm and the surgery will begin at 2.30 pm. Pre-op called yesterday and said to prepare for a 5-8 hour day at TMH, so we may not return home until 9 or 10 pm tonight. I slept well last night.
The beginning date for chemotherapy was delayed by one week: Monday, 09.21.09 instead of Monday, 09.14.09. The reason: Dr. Carroll has ordered and must have time to analyze four diagnostic tests in Tallahassee. These four tests will determine the strength of my heart: CT scan, EKG, Echocardiogram, and a blood panel. I learned yesterday that I will receive Herceptin each time I receive chemotherapy. [Herceptin will also continue for one year.] In terms of a possible long-term risk to the heart, Herceptin poses a greater risk than does the chemo drugs.
The Echo, performed yesterday, indicated that my heart is strong, which is very encouraging, considering that I swim 1500 meters, every other day. All that hard work is paying off! Stephen, also, is making steady progress with his swimming. It will be my turn to sit on the edge of the pool and cheer him on, as I will be unable to swim for about 10 days, post-surgery.
Now, dear friends, may I ask you to pray for me today, from the Book of Common Prayer? I have written these out for you [from pages 459-460]. Just think: We will be praying these words together!
Before An Operation:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, graciously comfort your servant, Margo, in her suffering, and bless the means made use of for her cure. Fill her heart with confidence that, though at times she may be afraid, she yet may put her trust in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Strengthen your servant, Margo, O God, to do what she has to do and bear what she has to bear; that, accepting your healing gifts through the skill of surgeons and nurses, she may be restored to usefulness in your world with a thankful heart; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For Doctors and Nurses:
Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[Surgeon: Dr. Crooms. OR Nurse: Kristi. Oncology Nurse: Karen.]
Stephen or Garrett will update my blog tonight.
Lord be thy word my rule; in it may I rejoice; thy glory be my aim, thy holy will my choice.
Benedictus es, Domine.
Coram Deo,
Margo
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*This is a “central access device, a portacath — a catheter-type device placed under the skin into a major blood vessel in the upper chest. Needles can go in and out of that device and spare the patient the discomfort of having peripheral veins stuck.” [From Dr. Susan Love’s Breast Book.]
Margot’s Corner 
Margo , we will indeed be praying for you (and Steve) as you undergo surgery today. We have and will continue to pray for you as you continue on this difficult journey. Lamentations 3:22-23 is the theme verse for our Fall Women’s Ministry Event, It’s a New Day. May you find comfort and strength in the knowledge that our Lord’s compassions do not fail and His mercies are new each day.
In His Love, Carole
Carole and I have both set aside specific times throughout the day to pray for you. Praying for you is a great comfort to me because I know you are God’s child and am confident He will provide the best for you. I share one of my favorite passages:
1 Peter 1:3-7 (NIV)
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
I’m thanking Him for a successful procedure. We love you. Rick