Monday, August 24, 2009

Surgery, finally!

Day One of Empty Nest: 

- Stay up until 1:00 a.m. (I thought Ashley just went to college not me!!)
- Sleep until 9:00 a.m. (Wow, when was the last time I did that?)
- Stay in my pajamas until noon (Because I can)
- Eat jello for breakfast... (Reality comes crashing through!)

Oh yeah, I'm having surgery tomorrow! The empty nest will have to wait.

I am happy to report that I survived the colon prep ordeal again! Thankfully, I only had to drink half a gallon this time! Now, I am just praying that I survive the imposed fast until surgery at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon!

My dad always taught me that "prior planning prevents poor performance." I've done everything I can to prepare for this surgery. I've packed my bag and I'm ready to go. The only thing left to do on my list is this:

263. Ask my blog friends to pray for me.

This is where you come in! Just as you have been carrying me through this whole adventure from day one, I am asking you to please carry me through surgery tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Here are my specific request.

  • Please pray for successful surgery and the removal of any remaining cancer cells
  • Please pray for no complications during or after surgery
  • Please pray for quick healing of the surgery sites and no infections
  • Please pray that my intestines will "wake up" quickly after anesthesia and surgery
  • Please pray that I will learn and adapt quickly to the ileostomy
  • Please pray that God's peace will surround my family
  • Please pray that God will work through my surgeon, Dr. Cali, and his team
My daughter, Sarah, will update my blog tomorrow afternoon, sometime, so you will know how everything went. Surgery is expected to last 2-4 hours, and I will be in the hospital for 5-7 days. I'll be back to the blog as soon as I feel up to it.

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to pray for me! 

"The LORD said, " I will go with you and give you peace." Exodus 33:14  




15 comments:

  1. Praying for you and will lift you up to our Father in the days to come! Asking God to provide you complete healing!

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  2. Will be praying, Laura.

    Funny story for you....although I don't know when you'll see this.....yesterday, going barefoot in parking lot, I burned my feet! I wonder if God was wanting to keep you, and thus Him, in my mind! Every step I took, as I walked around the waterpark for the next six hours, my feet burned and ached. I hobbled every single step, and with most steps thought of you and your hand foot syndrome! Of course my tiny little bit of discomfort does not compare to what you've been going through, but nonetheless, I couldn't help but have even more empathy for you. It reminds me to pray for you, and to desire to emulate your faith. You've been amazing and an inspiration to me.

    Bless you, dear Laura!

    Maura, that high school friend of Big Bro Steve's again

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  3. I love you and praying for you!

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  4. Laura,
    Grace and peace unto you from God, The Father and The Lord Jesus Christ Who loves YOU and gave Himself for your sins, according to the will of God, His Father; To Whom be glory forever! This same Great One is holding you.
    Thank You Father for Laura Shook and Your Beautiful life Shinning through her! We keep praying and praising for you!
    Love, Charity (marcus' mom).

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  5. Laura, you don't know me... my son Johnathan Siefert is a young pastor at CFBC. I am praying for you and will do so tomorrow. Janet

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  6. Love you and praying little sister!!!

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  7. Up and praying for you now! Greater is HE that is IN YOU, than he that is in the world (and the cancer) I cannot wait to read the updates and watch how God will continue to use you to minister and bless others!

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  8. We have much to do and see!....I love you! Remember your pillow! See if you can pick your color of equipment! LOL...
    You are amazing!

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  9. I am praying for you and i hope you feel better so soon.

    love, theresa.
    (third grader at cof)

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  10. Ditto what Teri says "YOU are Amazing"!!!!!!!

    God has his angels all around you and your going to go through this surgery surrounded and encompassed by God. !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. Woke up at 2am praying for you. Praying for peace to absolutely FLOOD your soul, to the point that to others around you its just doesn't make any sense how calm you are...on the inside and outside. KNOWING that our great God is going to do a MIGHTY work in your body today....It will be HIS hand doing the surgery...he knit you together in your mothers womb...If anyone knows your body...it's Him. Praying for a supernatural ability for you to TRUST Him today. Will be praying all through out today and into the next week for all the things you mentioned above. Love you! debbie schreve

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  12. The kids and I sent up some extra special prayers for you and your surgical team this morning. We are also praying for the Mark and your kids as they anxiously wait with you. God rocks!

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  13. You're in my prayers.God is your strength,He is holding you in His arms.I praise Him now for all of the answered prayers you asked above.Matthew 21:22 And all things,whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,believing,ye shall receive.

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  14. My dear friend. I am praying for you and your family always. Praise music on all day at my house too! One set of footprints in the sand for awhile, let Him carry you.
    LOVE
    Debbie

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  15. Laura...thinking of you...may God bless you beyond belief!! I will be praying....with love....Vickie D

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