A sincere thank you to all of you for your prayers, acts of generosity, and support since our April 13th diagnosis with breast cancer. Your time spent in prayer has lifted our spirits and relieved anxieties from the forefront of most days. The response to this diagnosis from you is humbling and awe-inspiring. It has allowed us to feel some joy during a time of suffering - knowing God's arms are wrapped around us and there are prayer warriors wherever we turn. We are forever grateful for your support. We prayed for direction and we were lead to medical oncology treatment with Dr. Mark Hermann. We felt peace and relief to have that decision under our belt.

This is a big week for us. On Tuesday, May 16 Kathleen is scheduled for out-patient surgery to place a port (implanted catheter to large veins for fewer needle sticks) for chemotherapy treatment. Thursday, May 18 at 9 a.m. Kathleen will receive her first chemo treatment which will last approximately 6 hours during the first visit. The port site will most likely be bruised and sensitive from the recent surgery, but a topical anesthetic has been prescribed.

Prayer Request: We specifically pray that there are no complications with this week's surgery and chemotherapy treatment. We pray that the port functions properly and the side-effects of chemotherapy are bearable. We pray that the treatment plan permanently removes all cancer from Kathleen's body and she will proclaim herself "cancer-free" for the rest of her life.