TJ's Health Update

Dear Family and Friends in Christ:

TJ and I would like to share how encouraging you all have been throughout this ordeal and all the special thoughts and prayers you’ve been pouring on to our family -- your prayers have touched us so much. Also, your support has been tremendous, knowing our loving God speaks specially through our fellow servants of the Lord. TJ and I are so blessed and in awe of your never-ceasing love and care.

Since the recent cancer recurrence, we have been spending every day for the past two weeks at Mayo Clinic, meeting with the doctors to prepare for a TJ’s upcoming major surgery: I thank God that I’m back in Jacksonville to be with my loved ones. Although Mayo Clinic is 45 minutes away from our house, driving there early in the morning and returning late in the afternoon can take a toll on our body. Maybe, that is one reason why TJ and the rest of us have been sick for awhile. TJ usually sleeps during our drive to and from Mayo but once she returns home, she is on the phone talking with Mayo to arrange next day’s visit. Because of our hectic schedule, we do, unfortunately, miss the kids’ in-school and after-school activities. It is this reason why TJ and I are eternally grateful for her parents, who have been with us for the past two years, taking care of Matthew and Hannah when either or both of us can’t participate. It disappoints TJ much for not being there for our children, but having her parents there for our kids brings some comfort, however.

TJ’s surgery date is set for Thursday, February 5^th 2009; the exact surgery time will be determined next week. The surgery is the first of three stages to her recovery process; radiation and chemotherapy treatments, being the other two, will follow the surgery. Three doctors will be performing the surgery simultaneously: Dr. Sarah McLaughlin (breast surgeon), Dr. John O’Dell (thoracic surgeon), and Dr. Gavin Perdikis (plastic surgeon). As discussed in my earlier emails, the tumor cells are near the ribs and cartilages, so there is a possibility of needing thoracic surgeon’s expertise. In addition, a plastic surgeon is needed if the removal of cancer tissues is substantial in which grafting of skin/tissue from another part of TJ’s body is required. Monday/Tuesday of next week, we’ll have our final consultations with the doctors at Mayo Clinic.

Please join us in prayer that God will prepare TJ both physically and spiritually for the surgery, lead the doctors and provide steady hands during the surgery, remove all the cancer cells from her body, and recover quickly from this arduous and demanding surgical procedure. This surgery will take approximately four to five hours, and the recovery period at the hospital will be from one to four nights, depending how much they find and remove tissues during the surgery. The whole recovery from the surgery would take three to four weeks before next stage of treatments commences. We pray that the surgery itself would be minimal, and that TJ will return home quickly to start the recovery process. Also, we asked that you’ll keep Matthew and Hannah in your prayers, as they will not be able to see their mom for a couple of nights. Although the kids will be home with TJ’s parents, we asked that God will bring much peace and comfort in their hearts through this perplexing period of their young lives.

God has been very faithful to TJ and me, as our faith in Him has not diminished but emboldened since discovering the cancer in 2006. We truly believe in the mighty power of our Lord and know that He is good. One of our brothers sent me this encouraging bible quotation that I would like to share it with you: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32

We thank you and may our loving God continually bless you and your family!!!

In His name,

TJ and Kwang