"Let's Do This!"

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Just the day before I had Procedure Two, the nuclear medicine injection. Radioactive dye injected into my lymph nodes area in order to catch any traces of the cancerous cells that may have forged a path to my lymph nodes. This poor breast. Already inside is a radar beacon and now radioactive dye. Regardless of it all I was able to sleep like a baby.

As I fully release control of what I cannot control I lay down both in peace and sleep.

Psalm 4:8

THE MORNING OF

I awoke with relaxed anticipation. I was very grateful for the quiet of the courtyard of my apartment building. In the stillness with God, I offered up praise and worship. Praying over my surgeon, her operating room staff, each nurse assigned to me for my care, and over the strength and healing of my body. And that there would be no surprises once they went in.

As my friend and I made our way to Cedars-Sinai in the darkness of the early morn, I couldn't help but feel serenity and calm. The empty streets glistening under the glowing streetlights created an environment of tranquility.

Checked in, checked through, and then waited.

Pre-op was smooth, everything that needed to be hooked up got hooked up. My breast was marked up and ready. My pre-op nurses were absolutely inspiring! I was there at 5am, other surgical patients were there before me, which meant the pre-op nursing staff were there much earlier. When people love their job it shows. They are in the caregiving business, this is their chosen career, and I can see why. At 5 o'clock in the morning we had a few giggles and shared encouraging pleasantries. If there is such a thing under these circumstances, the moment was lovely!

My oncology surgeon and the anesthesiologist came to my bedside, each at different times, to go over procedures and the processes.

Finally, I'm up. The head O.R. nurse comes to wheel me into the operating room. She is all of 4ft tall, 100lbs soaking wet, and just a firecracker. I was in the middle of taking a selfie and she joyfully waited

patiently until my photo shoot, as she called it, was finished.

We had a good laugh with that.

Her demure stature was no problem for pushing my down the hallway, oh my gosh, she was moving me like she was 6ft 200lbs. The door opened and she introduced me to my operating room. Already inside were the anesthesiologist and another operating room nurse.

They turned and gave the biggest smiles. I could tell because their eyes gleamed over their masks. Then I saw it!

Dr. Dang - Surgical Oncology

Dr. Omran - Anesthesiologist

Dr. Gonzalez - Assisting Surgeon

RN Cando - Head O.R. Nurse

RN Maria - O.R. Nurse

Girl Power! I exclaimed it! And they cheered along with me!

In the beginning, from the ultra-sound of the mammogram finding, my prayers over my unknown physicians was for God to connect me to His best. For Him to lead me through this uncertain path to the women or men, whomever, that will provide the best care for me, total care. I'm talking more than their expertise, knowledge, and experience, but their energy, their character, their heart.

My OB/GYN, is an endearing man, when he called me at the crack of dawn to tell be about the cancer, I could tell it was a difficult call for him to make. He is one of the best and he knew the best oncology surgeon, so he gave me his best.

I'll say it again, He gave me His best.

These five amazing women were there for me, yes, they were there for others as well, but that's the thing with physicians who care, they make you feel like you are their only patient. They make you feel like you matter and that you are not just someone on a docket to clear by the end of the day.

These five lovely women and I shared inspiring moments as we spoke positively over this circumstance.

Nurse Cando asked me, "Your outlook is so wonderful. How do you stay so positive?"

"I cannot do anything here. You all are doing the heavy lifting, and you each are making this situation more pleasant than I could have ever expected. But it is my faith that uplifts me, my faith in....."

Nurse Cando interrupted me, she tapped her heart, "In Jesus."

"Yes. My faith in Jesus." As a believer she knew He lives inside of us.

As they continued to get me ready, Dr. Dang asked me how I was feeling. My response garnered more cheers.

"I'm feeling good. Let's do this!!!"

"Yes!!! That's what we want to hear!"

"Alright! You heard her! Let's go!"

The last face I saw was that of Dr. Omran. Her eyes smiled at me as I quickly went to sleep.