patience is a virtue

and knowledge is power - right?

So I am gaining virtue and power as I proceed with caution.

Sabrina and I met with a nurse at Carle (Mills BC Institute) on Tuesday. This was a follow up to the appointment we had with the plastic surgeon last week. She has been in the surgery / reconstructive department for apx. 30 years. She was incredibly helpful in answering our questions, voicing concerns and encouraging second opinions.....

As I told my mom earlier this week; we can choose to ignore that still small voice within us, or we can tap into it and investigate a little further. Since the beginning of this journey, things have been falling in to place, just as they were supposed to. The progression of steps along the way, the people I've come in contact with, and the experiences I've had, are all for a reason (and in my opinion - orchestrated by God). This is very much the same way. I knew that God would lead the way, my job is to pay attention and follow. Some days I do better at this than others : )

Anyway, I have told the scheduler w/Carle to hold off for now. And I have an appointment to consult with a plastic surgeon in Springfield on March 17th. It's an early appointment (8:30a.m.) but Sabrina said she'd gladly go with me.... stating that when I asked her to begin this journey with me, she fully intended to see me through to the end. { big hugs to her! }

Though I am incredibly anxious to have my reconstructive surgery, I also want to be safe and go about it the right way. I mentioned before, that a Sanibel vacation fell into place between now and then anyway (which again - I feel is not a coincidence). My friend Reba took off work the end of April / first of May and it sort of snowballed from there..... it has developed into a full-blown celebration; or as we are now calling it, a Shellibration! There are friends flying and driving in, to be there and celebrate with me. We will be on Sanibel during the one-year anniversary of when I was diagnosed! I already feel so blessed and loved ~ my friends and family are awesome!

So my intent is to find the perfect plastic surgeon for me, and make arrangements to have surgery as soon as I get home in May. (Much like I prepped myself to come home and have surgery last year; I'm just looking forward to this one a bit more! : )