Change In Plans...What's new?

“Let  the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

At times it is hard to remember to be thankful…right? When you have a sick kid crying at 3am for no reason it is hard to be thankful. When you have a child that is suffering from breast cancer it is hard to remember to be thankful. But, here we are told that we are called to peace. We are called to not worry…because what good is that going to do any of us? Worry steals the joy of what God can do.

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

I AM…that is all the Lord had to say at times. Isn’t that amazing? So, as we received news today that Aj will be having to have a double mastectomy I can tell you I held tight to the devotion we (Aj and I) both had this morning in the book Jesus Calling. I AM…he is telling us IAM going to take care of you. I AM in control, I AM in love with you and will take care of every need.

Aj went to meet with her surgeon today who informed her that there were 2 spots that looked suspicious on her MRI. So, after some discussion with her surgeon the decision was made that this is what was best. Aj wasn’t leaning toward this in the beginning. But, her words… “Katie, it was like a peace fell on Bobby and I both that this is what I needed to do.” So, there you have it. I have prayed every day since September 3^rd that she will have a peace about this whole process. Today she says I am getting a tummy tuck and a boob job and my insurance is paying for it. Tomorrow might not be as easy to swallow. So we will carry on just like we have since day one…one day at a time. We ask you to wear your TEAM Aj Bracelets more now than ever. Pray for her, the doctors and all those that will come in contact with her over the next few weeks. If anyone learns anything about her journey we want it to be this…I AM is holding her hand, He is walking with us, healing her and teaching and molding each of us along the way.

Tomorrow she meets with the plastic surgeon and we will know much more detail. Please pray for that appt. at 1:00pm tomorrow.

Love to each of you!

Step 2

Aj started feeling pretty good about Wednesday. She enjoy yesterday getting up and doing some stuff around the house and getting Bailey to school. I faced timed with both of them last night and everyone seemed so well!

Here is where we are at and what we need you praying for. Aj is having a MRI today! Yuck...I am no help in this matter because an MRI makes me want to have a nervous break down just thinking about it.

She is meeting with the surgeon that will do her surgery on February 24th and having the MRI today.

Please pray :

For the surgeon

For the results shown on the MRI

For Aj as she lays there -- she said those things are not made for people her height.

Pray for Bailey -- She said last night while I was talking to Aj..."Momma, are you going to keep shaving your head (she doesn't understand it fell out) because I think you are so pretty." Just made my eyes tear up. Heart like a child!

Bobby as he is still taking classes, and getting AJ every where she needs to go.

Aj Would like to thank the following ladies for helping with the cleaning of her house and getting that set up. She said it has been the biggest blessing! And she is so grateful!

Thank you,

Cookie Barrere

Laura Butler

Roni Archer

Jena Clowers

Laura Truitt

Nancy Dyess

Tammy Hester

Susan Williams

Britni Haskin

Amazing Ladies! We love you!   

Team Aj...DONE!

Drum Roll Please...................Aj is DONE! Wahoo...she has been such a trooper...there have been bad days, there have been good days, there have been laughs there have been tears and there have been new friendships made and old ones made that much more special. Each of you have had a part in this first loooooong leg of her journey and she is so thankful for each of you. For the calls, the meals, the cards, house cleaning, the donations to help her family finically. The list goes on. They have been blessed in so many ways and I am just thankful to have been able to have a front row seat to see God work. 

Aj and I were talking the other day...a day I was feeling overwhelmed and she said..."Katie, the only thing that has gotten me through all this is the name of Jesus." How cool is that....just the power of HIS name has carried her during this awful time. And the best part is she knows it! Some times it takes us days, weeks and months to see that God was the one getting us through each day...but AJ knew it! God is so faithful! 

God has used people from all over the world to work in Aj's live and we are all so grateful.

Today was her last chemo treatment. She sent me a picture first thing this morning of this...

This is her mail box with a bow on the tree as well as the balloons...how cool is that? Someone add a little fun to her day before she even left for Chemo. 

She moved her Chemo time today without telling me...how rude! But, I had arranged for a wonderful, sweet loving support friend pick up a cookie cake (her favorite) and take it to the cancer center to share with the sweet ladies that have become such a part of her life over the last 5 months. So, all was well....got an email that the cake was picked up and perfect and on the way to Aj...about 20 min later I get a message from Aj saying she had moved chemo to....two....ahhh..but the awesome nurses made it all work as well as our sweet friend Susan! 

I think the cake was a hit!!

Aj is home rest now after her treatment. It takes her till about Wednesday to rejoin the rest of the world but the best news is....she has had really good days to follow her last treatments and we expect the same this time to. 

Many of you have asked what is next...

Rest...

Then on February 24th she will have surgery. Please be praying for this now. Please pray for the Surgeon, the nurses, that she stays heathy and everything goes perfect leading up to the surgery and then following. Aj is planning on starting to work her way back into the working world Please be praying that this will go smoothly and she will feel a peace about returning to work and not push her body too far. After she has surgery she will have 6 weeks radiation. I don't have a lot of info. on that part of this journey but I will be getting more details as the time gets closer. 

So, as we are so thankful for your prayers this far we beg you not to leave us just yet! She still needs them! I will do my best to keep you updated on things as I get them. I always know Aj is having a good day when I don't hear from her...but, I do get a little cranky when I don't hear from her to just hear her voice to see how she is "really" feeling! 

Love to each of you where ever you are. I know our friends in Panama are sitting at a nice 90 degrees and I am wishing we were there right now as we are looking at waking up at a warm 7 degrees! Stay warm!