Bits with the Belchers: My mom's surgery

Many of you know my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer a short time back. I haven't blogged about it because she didn't even blog about it herself until recently and it wasn't my place to write about it first. At least that's how I look at things. Her lumpectomy was scheduled for this Tuesday - the 27th and I wanted to be in town. Fortunately, Daniel felt the same way and he took off work to be in town as well. She had to arrive at the hospital very early and wanted her kids (if possible) to be there before she went back and when she awoke. That meant I needed to be there around 6am. Since Daniel is not exactly what I call a morning person, I thought it would be best if he stayed home with the kids for that part and we went back together when surgery was over. I decided to wait at the hospital the whole time- that way I could keep dad company and be there for any updates that came along. Daniel was fine with this, especially since the kids slept late anyway. But that story is for another post along the lines of "what really grinds my gears" lol.
Since I was there when the surgery finished, I was able to be in the room when the doctor explained what happened. Everything went very well and the doctor was very thorough- they got the whole tumor, which was completely round (a much better indication the cancer hasn't spread than one with tenticles or fingers) and they removed 3 lymph nodes for testing. Generally, if/when breast cancer spreads, it goes through the lymph nodes- or well, I think they're called guard nodes. They did preliminary testing on 2 of the 3- which were negative, praise God!- and all 3 will be sent off for further in depth study. The doctor said 4 out of 5 times, if the first 2 are negative, the 3rd one will be as well. Again, praise God! We should have those results early next week. Mom was groggy and tired when she first came out and most of the remaining day, but that's to be expected. I really think she was a trooper! I'll keep praying and am confident that God's healing is taking place.

before surgery

We decided to leave Wednesday instead of Tuesday night and before we left, mom asked us to take a walk. Will requested the greenway-- I'm sure because Daniel took him there the day before with a fishing stick-- so we did that once everyone got ready (I told you she's a trooper).

collecting rocks to throw in the water - the ones

that make a big splash!

Daniel loading Will's fishing stick with bread, Maggie

very interested

Then we decided to walk up the greenway a little further and what do you know? We ran into Daniel's brother, Edward! He works for the city and they happened to be on the greenway doing maintenance. So Will go to climb the big truck and boy did this top off his little day!