Resolutions.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

CURRENT UPDATE:
Thank you all for praying so earnestly over our situation, especially over the insurance appeals process. We were able to quickly and efficiently submit all of our paperwork before the offices closed for the holidays. We are grateful that all of my doctors agreed to send letters of advocacy, and we also have a fantastic Cancer Institute Navigator, who is assisting us in this process. Our cancer navigator helped us to fax all documents and our application through the Cancer Institute, and now we are waiting to hear back from the insurance company. Now that the holidays are over, and everyone is going back to work, we should hear back very soon. We heard back from the doctor and the proposed surgery date is January 20th. Pray for NO DELAYS! More updates listed below.
As usual, our prayer list is at the bottom of this post. Thanks for reading/praying!

MORE UPDATES:
My last few appointments before the holidays went well. Here is a summary of each one:
*Oncologist (Cancer Doctor) – Our visit was excellent. Her whole office is kind and efficient. I had to give blood which was unpleasant (again with the needles, ouch). Here is a list of what we learned:

• 1. While we were in our appointment, my breast specialist called my oncologist and told her that my GENETIC TEST results were all NEGATIVE! This is one huge answer to prayer. This effects my type of treatment and greatly reduces my chance of recurrence. Huge win!
• 2. Type of treatment: The doctor has recommended chemotherapy which will begin after my surgery recovery. This was a little heartbreaking because it means that I will DEFINITELY lose my hair when I start treatment. Very emotional, but I know it will grow back when I am in remission.
• 3. Fertility concerns: Because of chemotherapy, there are concerns regarding fertility because I am so young. Derek and I have been married for 2 1/2 years, and we do not have any kids. We both have a strong desire and dream to have children one day, if the Lord wills. My oncologist referred us to a fertility specialist, who will give us counsel on what to do to give us our best chance of getting pregnant in the future.

*Breast Specialist- We really didn’t learn anything that we didn’t already know. I was able to ask questions of the Nurse Practitioner. I gave consent for surgery.

• One annoying detail that we learned from my specialist is that my type of cancer reacts to hormones. We have been making new choices in my diet to reduce the amount of estrogen intake, among other adjustments.
• I had already decided to do a Double Mastectomy after my first cancer meeting with my breast specialist. If I don’t do the double, my chance of breast cancer recurrence is 80%. If I get the DM, my recurrence chances drops down to 2%. (The average person has an 11% chance of occurrence). I am very young, and this decision will give me a long-game peace of mind. Derek and I have discussed, prayed, researched, and made this decision together. There have been many tears and emotions, but we believe this is my best option based on all of the information and wisdom provided by many sources.

*Plastic Surgeon/Reconstruction Specialist- This was the MOST important appointment of all. This meeting made me sure of what type of surgery I need, after considering all my options.

The surgery we have chosen that is best for me, after taking in all the information, is called the: DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator) flap surgery.

• This is a fat transfer surgery, taking fat cells and blood vessels from the abdomen area, and relocating them to rebuild after the double mastectomy. This surgery uses my skin and fat cells. Unlike other options, it is more natural as it is using parts of my own body.
• The surgeons will work together to perform both surgeries at once: the Double Mastectomy and the DIEP flap surgery.
• The surgeons we are considering perform 300-400 DIEP flap surgies a year, 3-4 a week. They have a success rate of 98%. They have also been performing this surgery for 7 years together.
• The DIEP flap surgery is unique in that it does not interfere with the abdomen muscle, unlike other older methods. It ONLY uses fat cells and a few blood vessels to connect to the system to blood flow in the upper area once transferred.
• The worst part of this surgery will be my scars and my recovery time. Recovery time is 6-8 weeks. After surgery recovery, I will begin chemotherapy.
• The possible surgeon is discussing further details with us.

*Cancer Nurse Navigator Once we confirmed the decision to have this surgery, the battle of the insurance began. We had AMAZING family who stepped in to help in various areas, and we met our cancer navigator. Our cancer navigator offered detailed, efficient, compassionate and speedy information and help with contacting everyone. She helped us know which forms to fill out, and made us aware of our options. She also let me know about programs at the Cancer Institute that are available to me during this season, a huge comfort. Once we gathered all documents and our application, she faxed it with the Cancer Institute letterhead to get it to the right people. While we were in her office, the breast specialist office called to confirm a surgery date.

*Tentative SURGERY DATE CONFIRMED & ON THE CALENDAR: JANUARY 20TH

NEW APPOINTMENTS/EVENTS TO COME:

• #1. Fertility Specialists: Tomorrow afternoon, we will meet and have a consultation regarding our best plan of action.
• #2. Meetings with my two bosses at church and school to discuss work adjustments.
• #3. One week before surgery, anesthesia pre-op
• #4. Tentative Surgery date CONFIRMED: January 20th.

They say the New Year is a time of perspective and reflection. A brand new start. It’s hard to look at 2020 when I know that it will be the hardest year of my life. That is very daunting. But we WILL prevail, with God’s help. That I know to be true, and I am RESOLVED to keep looking to Him for hope.

I am RESOLVED that this is the right plan of action. I am RESOLVED to decorate my disease with His light, while I carry it around. I am RESOLVED to fight, with those who are fighting alongside me to win this battle. I am RESOLVED that I have the best husband in the world, who loves so deeply and takes care of not only my needs, but my heart. Derek, I love you. I am RESOLVED in our decisions as a family, that God is guiding us and providing everything we need.

Today, here is how you can pray:

• Pray for peace, endurance, and provision for Hannah, Derek, and our families as we walk through this together.
• Pray for the continuing battle with our insurance company, and that God will continue to provide our financial needs during this season.
• Pray for Hannah’s work, for God to continue to provide subs/volunteers/helpers to keep programs running during this season.
• Praise God for NEGATIVE genetic test!
• Pray specifically for the surgery date, January 20th! Pray that insurance will approve so that this IS the date for surgery. Pray for NO DELAYS!
• Pray for a successful Double Mastectomy, and everything that means. Pray for the emotions that come with this decision, even though we know this is the right decision.
• Pray for a successful DIEP flap surgery, and everything that means. Pray for the emotions that come with this decision, even though we know this is the right decision.
• Pray for Hannah’s recovery after surgery. For no complications, for healing and a good report.
• Pray that the breast cancer cells would stay put, and not move to the lymph nodes.
• Pray for future fertility, that God’s will would be done in our family.
• Pray for our cancer navigator, that she would continue to advocate for us and have the wisdom we need to navigate decisions.
• Pray for all of the specialists, and the other surgeons and doctors to come.
• Pray that God would bring opportunities for us to share the love and grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ with others through this hard time.

RESOLVED to love God, love others, and beat cancer,

Hannah Rock