Dr. Loranga just came out to meet with me. She said the surgery went well and that Dr. Smith was over halfway through. So she should be out by 2:30 EST!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
She is in surgery
Jana went in about 11:30 EST for surgery. She is scheduled to be finished about 3:45 EST. She was in good spirits and ready to go. Lisa Sanders is her waiting with me and she brought me some Starbucks coffee!
Still waiting
We are both in the pre-op holding area. And they let us get on their computer! Cell phones and lap top are off for the moment, but hopefully they will come and get Jana any moment now. I will call and update soon.
Waiting
We checked in at 6:55 a.m. and went through the check in process. They just took her back in nuclear medicine for the radioactive tracer procedure that should take about 30 minutes. Then we go back to the surgery area and wait for them to take her back. Thank God they have free wireless, tea and coffee! I'll update this blog as information becomes available.
Monday, June 29, 2009
In Tampa and Ready to Go
We made it to Tampa about 5 p.m. after stopping to see the Manatees in Homasassa Springs (and many other wild animals). Going out tonight to celebrate Doug's birthday. And we want to make it good since is was going to be Jana's last meal for a while.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Miccosukee VBS & Family News
We had a great week in Miccosukee doing Adventure Week (VBS). We met in a small community center in this area just 13 miles north of our church. Lindsey shined in the Shine Squad (led worship), Doug led the week and did the Bible station, Jana helped get kids registered and with snacks and Samuel helped with recreation on the days he was able. We had four kids accept Christ and where able to give each child a backpack that children at our church had collected to give them.
Doug and Jana will be leaving Monday morning for Tampa. Samuel and Lindsey will be enjoying havin Grandpa and Grandma staying with them for the week! Jana's surgery will be Tuesday morning and last until the afternoon. She then be in for about two to three days. Thank you for your continued prayers. If internet access is available (should be able to connect), we will post updates on this blog.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Family Update
Lindsey in the "Shine Squad" for Adventure Week
June 7-11 - It has been a busy, but great, week. Give God the glory. Started off with a great Starting Point Class from which God led 13 to join our church family (4 by baptism)! Since January we have had similar results each month. All of us worked in Adventure Week which was a blast with 300 kids. I was able to conduct the Bible station and was thrilled to see 15 pray to receive Christ and many indicate they wanted to know more.
Monday, June 15 - Samuel's summer job with the Summer Camp starts. He'll be working 1:30-5:30 p.m. each day doing recreation with children.Wednesday, June 17 - Jana and Doug will go to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa for some pre-operation visits. We will talk with the anesthesiologist, the plastic surgeon and have some blood work done. We will leave early Wednesday and return late that same day. Psalms 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Sunday, June 21 - Father's Day Car Show will begin after our second service. We are expecting well over 100 cars to be shown, a lot of good food and fun. This has grown to be a community event that we co host with another church.
Monday, June 22 - As a family, we are excited to help lead our mission VBS to the Miccosukee Community, 12 miles north of us. It will use the same materials we used at our church's Adventure Week (VBS) It will last four days till Thursday.Tuesday, June 30, is the scheduled date for Jana's surgery. Doug and Jana will be going to Tampa on Monday. Sentinel node biopsy will be at 8:00 a.m. with surgery scheduled for 10:45. The doctor indicated that she will be in two three days after surgery.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Marvelous Moffitt
We had a busy, but productive morning at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. After talking with Dr. Laronga and her staff, we felt confident this was the place we needed to be. Because this kind of cancer and surgery is all that they do - all the time, we knew they could give us the best information. One good surprise they shared is that the cancer is stage ZERO! They also opened up some new possibilities in surgery.
We have decided to change plans and have Jana treated at Moffitt. So we have scheduled for Jana to have her pre-operative visit with the anesthesiologist and plastic surgeon on June 17th and the actual surgery on June 29th (tentatively). She would stay in the hospital for two to three days afterward.
We were thankful to God for a good visit that answered many of our questions and gave us a clearer path to take. The rest of the day we explored and shopped in Tampa and in the evening went to Clearwater Beach to enjoy seafood at Frenchy's and a beautiful sunset.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Possible Surgery Date Scheduled
God continued to provide by getting us in to see the surgeon quickly on Monday, June 1. Dr. Harper took his time to skillfully explain all our options. He said he was a man of faith and prayer! Dr. Snyder and Dr. Harper's offices have coordinated to set the surgery date for June 15. Both encouraged us to get a second opinion, as we have scheduled, for this Friday at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Also on Monday we were able to pick up Jana's MRI images on a CD to send or take with us to Moffitt.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Thank You God
Our prayer is that God will heal Jana of this Breast Cancer!
He is at work providing for her needs:
1. Early diagnosis.
2. Quick action to get her in for tests, consultations.
3. Living in Tallahassee with many resources within range.
4. Having a totally fun Memorial Day weekend with friends before getting the diagnosis.
5. Being at Celebration with a support group and many who can empathize. The monthly group had it's May meeting the day after Jana was diagnosed.
6. Wonderful guidance from Carolyn Ward, Melanie Stowers, Donna Reeder, Dr. Forester and many others.
7. Being able to get copies of the pathology report at short notice without any trouble.
8. Getting in to see Dr. Snyder on short notice, and his great counsel.
9. Getting an appointment for Friday, June 5, with a leading doctor at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, just a week after diagnosis.
10. Getting a good hotel near the hospital that was recommended at a discount, and for providing a place for Samuel and Lindsey to go while we are away.
11. For 90 Year Old Aunt Peggy to call and share her story about having the breast cancer surgery just a week ago. She was in the hospital for just a day and back to work soon after.
12. For the many prayers and support from family & friends in Tallahassee, Columbus, Pensacola and all over the country.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
God's Provision for Jana
A little over a week ago, Jana went in for her regular mammogram not suspecting the events that would unfold before the month ended. The results prompted biopsies of 3 areas and a diagnosis of breast cancer followed (just this past Wednesday 5/27). Within hours of the news, God provided so many wonderful ladies from our church family who could empathize, guide her and give her resources. On Thursday we were able to talk with a Doctor who is a trusted friend and church member. Upon his advice and his request, Jana was able to get a last minute appointment with the best and most experienced surgeon in Tallahassee on Friday. The surgeon was very knowledgeable, straightforward and explained it clearly. The cancer is confined to multiple ducts (in situ) and has not invaded other tissues. Keep praying for Jana and our family to receive from God what we will need for this journey together. We still need to meet with one other surgeon, and possibly get a second opinion. Pray for wisdom for us, as there are so many decisions to make, and praise God with us for the care He has already shown our family!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Weekend 09
We had a great time at St. Teresa with the Wilders for Memorial Day Weekend. So great, we forgot to take pictures! Although the weather was forecasted to be stormy, it was perfect. We couldn't ride the boat in the gulf, but enjoyed the boat in the bay. Fishing, delicious seafood, crazy dance competion and other fun activities made for lots of memories. Doug went back to Celebration for services on Sunday, while Jana, Samuel and Lindsey joined the Wilders at the St. Teresa Church where Fred gave the sermon. Thanks Fred, Terry, Shannon and Mr. & Mrs. Wilder - Fred's Mom & Dad!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
FSU Marine Lab Open House & Bald Point Beach
We spent most of the day enjoying the FSU Marine Lab Open House at their facility in St. Teresa. Lots of displays, demonstrations, hands on areas and good seafood! We couln't help but
go back by our favorite little beach area at Bald Point State Park till we had to go back to Tally.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Enormous Easter Egg Hunt (Race)
With almost 700 racing after 5,000 Eggs, the Easter Egg Hunt at Church was a blast.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Bald Point Beach
We had a great beach day at Bald Point Beach (about an hour from our house). Of course, Samuel spent the whole time in the water with his nets and collected a lot of corals and sponges from the shore and water. Lindsey, of course, was looking for "photo ops."Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Samuel's Aquarium
Fire Fish Goby
Coral Banded Shrimp
Zoanthids
Green Chromis
Leather Toadstool Coral
One of the two Clownfish
One of the two Clownfish
Yellow Tang
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