The Bushgang Blog

We just got word about 15 minutes ago that the pathology report has come back - 3 lymph nodes, all cancer free,  the tumor was 2.5 cm and all surrounding tissue was clear. I don't have many more details than this yet but this is exactly the news we were praying for to keep Stephanie from having to go through chemotherapy again. I hope it is not lost on anyone that we have an awesome God and He can do amazing things! He has given us what we can handle and we have the experiences to help others who find themselves in similar situations. All the glory to God. We praise him continuously! Thanks to everyone who has spoken to Him on our behalf!

Sorry for the delayed post. I brought Steph home today at 2:00 pm. She has been resting and doing very well. So well in fact , I had to get on to her this evening for trying to help clean up after dinner! Most of you know how much of a neat freak she can be. Dolly, Steph's Aunt, and I have been really trying to keep the house straight so Steph doesn't get tire tracks on the walls! We came really close this evening as the "model home look" was in jeopardy! Fortunately , we got things in order and she settled down in bed. For those that may not know the level at which her neatness exists, a little story. Today, mind you she got home and went straight to the bedroom at 2:00pm, she was laying here and I was standing on my side of the bed. I asked her if there was anything she needed for me to get her at approximately 3:15. Her response was, "Can you move my candlestick on the dresser back to where it goes? It has been driving me crazy." She has three candle

We are looking at one more night in the hospital. Steph had a couple issues today with unexpected swelling and tightness and they wanted her to hang around. We plan to bring her home tomorrow around noon. Please pray that she gets a good night of rest!

Steph is doing very well, up and walking around and eating solid food. She doesn't feel well enough to go home yet and is enjoying the time at the hospital to relax and get better. Please contiue to pray for a fast recovery for Steph! Thanks!!!

Steph is starting to feel better and has actually had a few bites of her chicken sandwhich. We are not yet sure when Steph will leave the hospital but tomorrow at the earliest. We don't have a time yet and they may actually want to have her stay Saturday night as well. I want to really thank everyone so much for all the prayers and all the outreach for help. It is overwhelming to see how many people really care deeply for Stephanie. We are blessed more than I could have imagined! Steph is in room 216 on the second floor, Las Colinas Medical, at Macarthur and 161. We look forward to seeing visitors!

Steph is still in considerable pain but they have given her something extra to see if that helps. Getting and walking like they want is really hard. In contrast, after her c-section from Levi, she was walking all over the place. Please pray for the pain to reduce! Visitors, I will update later but please hold off until this afternoon. Thanks!

Stephanie is now in her room, resting. She is battling nausea and in some pain but otherwise in very good shape. Please pray for her speedy recovery and don't forget to praise God for answering all our prayers!

Dr. Lemmon just came out and said the surgery is finished. Steph is doing well and will be in the recovery room shortly. Thanks for all the prayers!!!

Dr. Clifford just came in and said the mastectomy part of the surgery is finished and went very well. He said nothing looking concerning regarding the tissue or lymph nodes. We won't know for sure until the pathology report comes back on Monday whether or not chemotherapy needs to be explored as an option. Dr. Lemmon is now working on the reconstruction portion of the surgery. That is expected to take about 2 hours. I will update around 3:30 pm. Thanks for the prayers. Please continue to pray for all involved.

Steph was just wheeled back for surgery. Dr. Clifford said the mastectomy surgery would take him about an hour and a half. I expect to provide the next update around 1:30pm. Every indication this morning is positive that things are going to go smoothly. Please pray for Steph and the doctors and nurses!

We are at the hospital in the day surgery prep room and appear to be on schedule.

Here we go: 10:00am Check in 11:00am Mastectomy surgery starts 01:00pm Reconstruction surgery starts 03:00pm All surgery completed 04:00pm Out of recovery Warning! These times are estimates and could be subject to change. I plan to update the blog regularly throughout the day so those interested can follow along. I will post additional prayer requests as needed. Prayer Warriors, thank you!!! If you want to be notified at each update via email, become a follower! On the left side, check it out!!!

Steph has her final appointment with the plastic surgeon this morning at 9:30 am. We don't anticipate anything new coming from this meeting but will be a good reinforcement of the process and what we can expect along the way. I have made a slight change that will hopefully help everyone. You can now access this bog by simply typing " bushcrew.com " into your browser and it will direct you here. This is much easier to remember and share.

This will be short and sweet. Stephanie's surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, 10/23 @ 11:00 am. She should be in the hospital for 2-3 days with a 6 week recovery window. I plan to provide updates Thursday and after on a very frequent basis to keep everyone in the loop. If you would like to visit Steph in the hospital , she has asked that Friday be the first day for visitors. Please check this blog for updates or changes to that time frame . I would like everyone to be flexible as I am not sure how "up for company" she will actually be. We are both keeping a very positive outlook as we are absolutely sure God is guiding us through this! Please pray for the steady hands and focused minds of the doctors and nurses involved and the speedy recovery of my wonderful wife.

While getting ready for church, Levi was into the sticker drawer and before you know it, this is what happened.

I wanted to post something so everyone knew we we not forgetting to update the blog. We have been meeting with doctors and reviewing options. This process seems more complex than last year when Steph was originally diagnosed with breast cancer. We are expecting a call from Dr. Clifford, Steph's surgical oncologist, today. Hopefully, this conversation will provide the needed information so that we can begin to lay in other decisions and start scheduling events/surgeries. I will keep you all posted. As always, please be in prayer that this process is as quick as it can be, the doctors and other decision makers (like us) have clarity of mind and wisdom beyond their experiences and please pray also for the wonderful support network we have! Finally, it is my hope and prayer that as we go through this one more time that those people around us see the love and hope and faith we have through our relationship with our living savior, Jesus Christ. "The lions may grow weak and hungry, b