Surgery Scheduled for Feb 12
I am scheduled to have my mastectomy on Tuesday, Feb. 12th at Fairfax Hospital. They will also perform reconstruction during that surgery, and look at my lymph nodes to see if the cancer has spread there. Last week, the general surgeon felt my lymph nodes under left my arm and did not like what he felt, which sent me into shock and then 12 hours of fear that the cancer has spread.
Many of you have been so wonderful to ask what you can do to help. Right now, what we need is prayer. Later, when I am going through chemo and radiation, I’m sure I will take many of you up on your generous offer to help with the kids. I have been battling a lot of fear, especially since yesterday’s appointment. I have received wonderful counsel from wise believers and from God’s Word. I am clinging to the Father like I never have before. I realize that I need him each moment to get through this. I first need your prayers for peace in this storm of fears about the future. I so desire to live this life God gave me and want to see my children get older and am scared about all of that. I know that the Lord’s peace is possible because it comes from the Prince of Peace, and that Jesus desperately wants to offer me this blessed gift. There are times I have it and times that my fears take over. I also would desire that you pray that the Lord would heal me—even now before my surgery and subsequent treatments. To that end, please pray that the cancer would be contained in the left breast and that it hasn’t gotten out. Lastly, I want the Lord to be seen for who He is in all of this—that his glory would shine. I desire to meet with the Father and see His face through all of this, and I know I have already seen his face and heard his words through much of your godly counsel. He is indeed holding me and my family. I know this will be a difficult year but I also know that God is good and that He will be with me and that there will be blessings along the way.
I have found great comfort in Isaiah 43:
1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
Lastly, thanks to many of you for your calls, e-mails and cards. They have been very comforting. If I don’t talk to you or write you back, know that I appreciate all of your advances but am unable to get back to each of you. Thank you for walking with me and Chris in all of this. We know we are not alone. We so appreciate your prayers and offer to help. We love you.
Resting in His mighty hand, Sara
on February 8, 2008 on 3:55 pm
Hey Guys,
We just wanted to say we love you so much and are in prayer for you during this crazy time. Gosh what marvel it is that God allows His children to go through episodes like this just so we can draw closer to Him. I am sure you are in the midst of that challenge now. Sorry Sara but I have to side with Chris’s optimism on this. Anyhoo we love you all and are excited for the testimony of God’s goodness that this is going to be and how it is going to be used in many lives to bring glory to our great Father.
Matt&Carrie
on February 8, 2008 on 4:05 pm
We are CONTINUING in prayer as you ask dear friends. Really wishing we were closer but trusting in all aspects of this circumstance. Thanks for sharing your genuine fear and your genuine hope in Jesus, your great photos and for allowing us to walk this road with you. We love you guys. Carolyn (and Tim)
on February 8, 2008 on 4:11 pm
Chris and Sara,
We are PRAYING! We know HE will answer and surround you, Sara, with his peace on Tuesday! We are passing along the verse Deanna claims when she is dealing with fear (dubbed Deanna’s CA earthquake verse).
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear for I am with you. Do not anxiously look about you for I am your God. Surely, I will help you. Surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
We love you! Yes, and please tell those surgeons you want to listen to your favorite praise song when you go under Sara if that is what you need. We KNOW He will answer!
Love,
Deanna and Anthony
on February 8, 2008 on 4:29 pm
Hey just clicked to make a comment and I see my hubby beat me to it. All i gotta say is “amen”. We love you. Carrie
on February 8, 2008 on 4:39 pm
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your great loving kindness. Bless Sara and Chris by holding together all the details of their world as events unfold. In character with the Good Shepherd, gently hold Sara in your arms of warmth and strength and enable her to rest. Bestow such wisdom and knowledge on the doctors and staff so that everything is taken good care of. May your healing hand be upon Sara’s body to bind up the cancer cells and cast them away. Grant a flood of your peace to flow over them and their household. We praise you because you are the God of the Bible. Thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!
Leonor and Daniel
By the way, great website.
on February 8, 2008 on 5:18 pm
Oh Friends,
Despite the distance know that you are in our prayers and thoughts, as are the children. We second all the prayers above and entrust you to the perfect will of our Holy Father. To Him be all glory, power, and honor through it all.
Love
Susan, Steve, Emma, & Lillian in Ohio
on February 8, 2008 on 6:41 pm
Great Big Love from The King Above.
Thanks for sharing and being real.
We love y’all.
Brian and Sherri
on February 8, 2008 on 7:01 pm
Sara, you are on our hearts and in our prayers whenever you come to mind. I am praying that you will have the peace like a river that God speaks of in Isaiah. I don’t think that you have many rough edges, I certainly see a shining gem even at this point in your life, but I know that God will make you even more beautiful through these rough, scary rapids. I love how you are laying it all out on the table in your conversation with God and allowing us to observe some of the necessary, but exhausting wrestling going on between you and the Lover of your soul. What a blessing you are. And speaking of blessing, praise God for Chris and his vision for you right now in the midst of this storm. We are praying for you Chris, and for your children, your extended family and your marriage, that it will be strengthened during this crisis. God is good, all the time.
Love,
Gale, Doug, Trevor, Sydney and Graham
on February 9, 2008 on 7:48 am
Sara, thank you for making me stop and think. Whatever lies ahead, you are already building up the faith of many people in the way you’re facing this challenge. Your entire church family is together with you in this, but best of all as you have already discovered in His word, your loving and sovereign Father is with you and in you. Lora and I have been praying for you daily.
Dave
on February 9, 2008 on 11:36 am
Dear Sara,
You don’t know me, but I am part of the Rockwell’s church family and received a request to pray for you. I will certainly do that, and can say that I will pray with understanding, as I have been where you are. I’ve also had the surgery, and perhaps can answer questions, if you have any. There was great dread before, and grief after, but God held me up at the moment needed. He will surely do the same for you.
It has been 6 years since my cancer diagnosis,and I am still doing very well. Most people I know do as you are doing, and choose to have traditional treatment for their cancer. My husband and I, however, didn’t feel that was the best for me, and after a year of searching and prayer, were led to an M.D. in New York who treats cancer in another way. I have been doing his program with great results for the past five years.
I’m glad you had fun at Disney World here in Florida.
Please feel free to contact me anytime if you would like to talk.
I’ll pray for you now.
Sincerely,
Michelle Hobbs
on February 9, 2008 on 5:11 pm
Sara and Chris, You both continue to inspire us in the outlook you have on life and in the many ways you show the world to trust in God regardless of the circumstances. I have watched my grandfather deal with cancer for the past 12 years and can honestly say his faith in God and positive attitude have gotten him this far. Continue to trust in Him each step of the way and know that there are many people cheering for you as you beat this disease. We love you both and are here for you if you need anything. Please don’t hesitate to call.
on February 11, 2008 on 7:44 pm
Dearest Sara,
I KNOW the Lord is with you RIGHT now. You are one of His best creations and we love you always.
Susan
on February 11, 2008 on 9:02 pm
Sara…my girls Tori (12) and Gabby (10) said prayers with me at bedtime tonight and you were the star. God bless and know that you are in our hearts tomorrow and beyond.
Mike, Lisa , Victoria and Gabrielle Scibetta
on February 11, 2008 on 9:20 pm
Chris,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know you will all get through this ok.
Steve
174 NY Beta sigma
on February 11, 2008 on 9:44 pm
Sara,
I am so humbled and awed by your strength and unwavering faith. God surely has a special plan for you. Please know that you are in our hearts and prayers tomorrow as you take your first step to being cancer free. You are and inspiration to us all. God Bless you and your family and again. . . if there is ANYTHING I can do, please call.
Love to you all,
Cheryl
on February 12, 2008 on 8:30 pm
Chris and Sara,
Our prayers continue to be with you both. We were so sorry to hear of Chris’s Grandmother’s passing. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers. Ed and Janet