Post # 26 -- Becoming a Prepared People

Dear Family and Friends

We all know that it is important to exercise and eat healthy so that we can help keep our bodies is good physical shape, right? We try hard to keep ourselves emotionally healthy by thinking positively and finding the good in others as well as in ourselves – this one is something that I have struggled with all my life. I can see the good in others, but it has always been really difficult for me to see it in myself.

I want to be healthier physically, but for many years first with my back giving out on me so often that it became a way of life to be in pain. Until I went to a chiropractor and he fixed my back. Then for the last eight years I have been in terrible pain because of my knees. Guess what? I went in for my check up with my orthopedic surgeon who replaced both of my knees and I have been cleared so I don’t need to go back for a year.

I want to tell you it is so good to be able to walk without pain. I do still have the neuropathy in my hands and my feet, which makes it painful to walk too far or for too long, but my knees don’t bother me, and I no longer walk with a limp to one side or the other and I no longer need to use a walker. All I’m saying is that it is hard sometimes to get into good physical health even when you really would like to do so.

We have always heard about different ways we can prepare our bodies for good health, physically, and emotionally. How to prepare for a natural disaster, for emergencies, and for other threats against our families, ourselves, and others.  How to prepare financially. Something that is not spoken of as often is how do we prepare ourselves spiritually? I was reading an article on preparedness that I would like to share with all of you. It is from The Women’s Meeting of the Church September 1988. I think the information is still very important and relative for us now. This talk was given to the women of the Church, but it really applies to us all, male or female, married or single.

Becoming a Prepared People

President Barbara W. Winder          Relief Society General President

“Make me an instrument of thy peace.” What meaningful words for the women of the Church!

Others, too, teach us of women. In Proverbs we read, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” (Prov. 31:10; Prov. 31:10–31.) The virtuous woman described in Proverbs was a woman who was prepared. She worked willingly, stretched out her hand to the poor, saw to the physical needs of her household, sought after knowledge. She had profound reverence for the Lord. While many of her tasks may appear to be temporal in nature, her blessings were eternal ones.

When we speak of preparedness, often our first thoughts center on temporal or physical preparations—food, clothing, shelter. While these preparations are important and necessary, they are not all-inclusive.

There is a crucial balance between the temporal and the spiritual aspects of this principle. The Lord has said, “All things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal.” (D&C 29:34.)

The Lord taught us a very important lesson when he visited the home of his friends Mary and Martha. While Martha attended to the needs of her guest, Mary sat and listened to the words of the Savior.

We read: “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.

“And Jesus answered … , Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

"Prayer is a gift from God. We need never feel lost or alone. I testify that every moment of precious prayer can be holy time spent with our Father, in the name of the Son, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

—Carol F. McConkie, "The Soul’s Sincere Desire"

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40–42.)

In his counsel, “but one thing is needful,” could the Lord have been referring to one thing lacking in Martha’s preparation? Probably. There is need for balance. Our physical preparation—including a clean, orderly home—makes it possible for the Spirit to be present. Likewise, the Spirit of the Lord brings an atmosphere of peace and contentment to our orderly home.

One sister told of her preparation to receive a General Authority guest in her home for stake conference. Everything was to be perfect. Extensive cleaning and cooking were done. Her ten children were prepped as to what their roles should be. She worked hard! By the time he arrived she was exhausted and couldn’t enjoy his visit. Too late, she realized that spiritual preparation was “needful” also.

"It is soul-satisfying to know that God is at the helm, that He is mindful of His children, and that we can with full confidence place our trust in Him. Prayer—persistent prayer—can put us in touch with God, our greatest source of comfort and counsel."

—Ezra Taft Benson, "Living Joyfully in Troubled Times"

She stated, “It is because of our spiritual preparation that we can find answers to our everyday challenges. It is because of our spiritual preparation that we can find joy in enduring and overcoming our trials. It is because of our spiritual preparation that we can feel the greatest joy of all, a nearness and closeness to our Savior and Father in Heaven.”

"We must not imagine that any kind of prayer, no matter how sincere, will be very effective if all we do is to say the prayer. We must not only say our prayers; we must also live them. The Lord is much more pleased with the person who prays and then goes to work than with the person who only prays. Much like medicine, prayer works only when we use it as directed."

—J. Devn Cornish, "The Privilege of Prayer"seness to our Savior and Father in Heaven.”

How, then, do we prepare?

We prepare by developing a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father through prayer, scripture study, and obedience to the commandments; by knowing our own worth; and by sustaining the priesthood.

"When you pray with faith, you will feel God’s love as His Spirit speaks to your soul. No matter how alone or uncertain you may feel at times, you are not alone in this world. God knows you, personally. As you pray, you will come to know Him. As you study the scriptures, you not only learn about the Savior, but you can actually come to know the Savior."

—C. Scott Grow, "And This is Life Eternal"

Qualities of spirituality do not come without effort. Like any other talent with which we are blessed, they must be constantly practiced. A famous pianist once said, “If I fail to practice for one day, I can tell the difference in my playing. If I fail to practice for two days, my family can tell the difference. If I fail for three days, the whole world can tell the difference.” This same principle applies to us in our quest for exaltation.

In applying the parable of the ten virgins to our lives, our modern prophets have explained that the oil of preparation is accumulated drop by drop through daily righteous living.

Consistently attending sacrament meetings adds oil to our lamps. So too will fasting, praying individually and as a family, visiting teaching, controlling our bodily appetites, teaching gospel principles, nourishing and nurturing, watching over one another, studying the scriptures, keeping the commandments. Each act of dedication and obedience is a drop of oil with which we can refuel our lamps. Keeping the commandments and following the words of the prophet may be the greatest preparation we can make for any eventuality to come.

A few years ago while we were serving in the mission field, a minister who was investigating the Church said, “I hear you talk about the benefit of a living prophet. What sort of pronouncements has he made lately?” We replied, “The prophet has taught us that we need to live frugally. We need to stay out of debt, fix up our homes, and plant gardens that we may enjoy the fruit of our labor.” The minister thought for a moment and then said, “That is not what I would have imagined a prophet to say, but as I consider it, what better advice could be given?”

Often the advice that is given by our prophets is so simple and practical that we overlook it and fail to heed it.

We are taught that we have great worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. The Primary children sing, “I am a child of God.” The Young Women recite their theme which begins, “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us,” and the prophets have declared that virtuous women are more priceless than rubies.

We are all children of our loving Heavenly Father – He love each of us, no matter what we have done or where we are at in our life. 

Listen to this simple direction from our prophet to the young women of the Church, which applies to all of us: “Live up to your divine potential. Remember who you are and the divine heritage that is yours—you are literally the royal daughters of our Father in Heaven.” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 85.)

“Don’t settle for less than what the Lord wants you to be.” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 84.)

Unfortunately, many of us fail to recognize what the Lord wants us to be. A sister wrote to me recently, telling of some events that led her to realize how much her Heavenly Father loved her and had blessed her. She said:

“I have had very low self-esteem and have not felt ‘good enough’ to have a close relationship with [my Father in Heaven]. This has kept me self-centered and unable to serve as effectively as I could. During the last few months I have felt a yearning desire within me, an urgency, if you will, to draw nearer to my Father in Heaven. Lately I have felt his arm around me and his great love extending to me—a beautiful feeling of acceptance. With this have come many gifts: more patience, more self-control, [more understanding]. I know this is the Holy Ghost teaching me.

"The most important thing you can do is to learn to talk to God. Talk to Him as you would talk to your father, for He is your Father, and He wants you to talk to Him. He wants you to cultivate ears to listen, when He gives you the impressions of the Spirit to tell you what to do. If you learn to give heed to the sudden ideas which come to your minds, you will find those things coming through in the very hour of your need. If you will cultivate an ear to hear these promptings, you will have learned to walk by the spirit of revelation."

—Harold B. Lee, "Chapter 6: To Hear the Voice of the Lord"

I can really relate to this Sister as I have never had a good self-esteem or thought that I was anyone special or that I had anything worth sharing with anyone. I am sure that some of you have felt this way about yourselves too, as some point in your lives. And I am sure that all of you are not as healthy – physically as you would like to be, if you are as healthy as you need to be – good for you!!!

“I have learned when priorities are in order and I prepare personally each day with prayer, scripture study, and physical care, I am happier and a more profitable servant.”

We learn from this that we also prepare by serving, teaching, nurturing, and helping others prepare. As we work daily to attain righteousness and a spiritual way of life, we have a responsibility to elevate others, to help them realize their divine potential, and to be an instrument in the hands of God.

Yes, being a woman brings blessings and responsibilities. Often there are tasks which, when filled, are without visibility, acclaim, or attendant worldly power. Nonetheless they are vital to the progress of humankind. When we are diverted from our course, serious weaknesses may appear in our lives and in the lives of family members, as well as in society.

Because of “the subtle craftiness of men [who] lie in wait to deceive” (D&C 123:12), many, even of the very elect, are being deceived. How diligently, sisters, we must strive to reach out to those who “know not where to find [the truth” (D&C 123:12) and bring them home again unto the fold. No effort is too great, no endeavor too much.

I am reaching out to all of you, so that we all can become a prepared people – all over the world! I know that when we set a goal to do what the Lord has asked us to do, it is then that the adversary rears up his ugly head in many different ways in order to make us change our plans to follow our Heavenly Father’s counsel through our prophets and other leaders of the Church. So if the adversary gets you down – follow “POPPY’S” advice from the movie Trolls and GET BACK UP AGAIN!!! Begin again to do what you know your Heavenly Father would want you to do. No matter how many times we get off track for one reason or another, we need to get back up again and begin again.

Our preparation does not always proceed just as we had planned it. My own mother has shared with me some of her goals and aspirations. Often as she began a project, something would happen to change her course of action: a mother-in-law in her waning years needed a home and special care, a younger sister needed help to complete her schooling. There were those with whom she worked who also desperately needed help. She was always there to serve. She gave this service graciously, and though not all her own personal plans were accomplished, she looks back on her life and says that if she had it to do all over again, she wouldn’t change anything. Service to others brings that kind of satisfaction.

It is according to our natures, sisters, to have feelings of charity and benevolence. It isn’t always easy to put these feelings into action. But as women, we should pray for charitable desires and opportunities and then work to foster these godlike attributes.

I suppose that Emma Smith had more than her share of frustration and disappointment. Her life couldn’t have been easy as she suffered persecution along with her husband, the Prophet. It is reported that shortly before his martyrdom, Joseph sent a message to Emma in answer to her request for a blessing. He was not able to give her a blessing, but told her to write one, and when he saw her again he would sign it. I am impressed with the faith and the righteous intent revealed in her words:

“I desire the Spirit of God to know and understand myself. … I desire a fruitful, active mind, that I may be able to comprehend the designs of God, when revealed through His servants … I particularly desire wisdom to bring up all the children that are, or may be committed to my charge, in such a manner that they will be useful … in the Kingdom of God … I desire … that I may wear a cheerful countenance … and be a blessing to all. …

"I have had prayers answered. Those answers were most clear when what I wanted was silenced by an overpowering need to know what God wanted. It is then that the answer from a loving Heavenly Father can be spoken to the mind by the still, small voice and can be written on the heart."

—Henry B. Eyring, "Write upon My Heart"

“I desire with all my heart to honor and respect my husband.” (Ms., Historical Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

President Ezra Taft Benson has declared, “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities.” (Ensign, May 1988, p. 4.)

We need to put God first and balance our spiritual and temporal preparations, that we might become virtuous women, righteous daughters, instruments in his hands to help prepare the way for his coming. 

"When I say that prayer is a sweet privilege, it is not just because I am grateful to be able to talk to Heavenly Father and to feel His Spirit when I pray. It is also because He actually answers and speaks to us. Of course, the way He speaks to us is usually not with a voice we hear. President Boyd K. Packer explained: “That sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. … This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions”."

—J. Devn Cornish, "The Privilege of Prayer"

Sisters, “shall we not go on in so great a cause?” as we read in the Doctrine and Covenants. “Go forward and not backward. Courage … and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad.” (D&C 128:22.)

I pray, sisters, that we will rejoice and go on to victory as we prepare for the second coming of our Savior. I pray that we will not be led away by the subtle enticings of the world that sometimes come to us even from those near and dear to us—the enticings that say to us, “Seek for visibility; seek for power and influence; be sure your own needs are being met.” These are not the teachings of him whose coming we await. He says to us, rather, be the servant of all (see Mark 9:35; Matt. 20:26–27); “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16.)

I pray that we will not be discouraged and not be led away, not be deceived—but “cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God.” (D&C 123:17.)

I know our Father lives and that Jesus is the Christ. We are engaged in his work. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I want to add my prayer to hers that none of us will be discouraged or led away, that none of us may be deceived – but that we will cheerfully do all the things that are in our power to do, “and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God.’ It is very important for each of us to be prepared for all things that may happen in our lives and when we are making our preparations to be prepared, remember that we will never be fully prepared to meet life challenges without being Spiritually Prepared. I don’t know about any of you, but I am going to begin again and do a better job this time in my preparations by beginning with my Spiritual preparedness first!! May the Lord bless you in all your endeavors to become spiritually prepared. Until my next post, stay safe, renew your relationship with your Heavenly Father and continue or begin your own spiritual preparation.

Post # 25 -- Sweet Hour of Prayer

Dear Family and Friends

I have mentioned to you about some of the side-effects of the chemotherapy and I would not be able to get through my day without the strength of the Lord. He is there for me and for you, all you need to do is ask Him to be a part of your lives. You can talk with Him anytime, anywhere, and you do not need to be on your knees for Him to hear your prayers. So, it will be with His help that I will be able to walk without the neuropathy pain bothering me too much😊

How do we develop the faith we need to call on our Heavenly Father in prayer, to thank Him for our blessings and to ask Him for help when we need it and there is no one else around that can really help us? Well, I believe that prayer is where it begins. I was reading an auricle from our now Prophet – President Russell M/ Nelson. he teaches us so much about prayer and I wanted to share it with all of you, I hope you get as much from it as I have. If you are new to prayer it is a good beginning place for you and if you have been praying for a life time – it is a good refresher.

Sweet Hour of Prayer - Russell M. Nelson

Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

 We should pray in accord with the will of our Heavenly Father. He wants to test us, strengthen us, and to help us achieve our full potential.

In this day of computers, phones, and pagers, people communicate with one another better than ever before. Even so, good communication is often lacking.

I think we should add cell phones, internet, Facebook, twitter, snap chat, Instagram, gmail, email, messenger, tumbler, face time, and so many other ways of communication today than I can think of – you probably know about a few more as you are most likely more tech - savvy than I am:)

Recently while visiting a nursing care facility, I spoke with a woman about her family. She told me that she had three sons, two of whom visit her regularly.

“What about your third son?” I asked.

“I don’t know where he is,” she replied tearfully. ‘I haven’t heard from him for years. I don’t even know how many grandchildren I have.”

Why We Pray

If such a mother yearns to hear from her sons, it is easy to see why a loving Father in Heaven wants to hear from His children. Through prayer, we can show our love for God. AND He has made it so easy. We may pray to Him any time. No special equipment is needed. We don’t eve need to charge batteries or pay a monthly service fee.

No special equipment, no monthly fees, and you don't have to charge the batteries to use prayer and you can pray from any where at any time, standing, sitting, lying down, on the move or perfectly still, using words or a prayer of the heart and mind, with your family, as a group or individually. WOW!!! what more can we ask for? 

So, what are you waiting for? If you are not a person who prays, why not begin today? I promise you that it will be well worth any effort that you put into it. Your Heavenly Father loves you and He wants to hear from each one of you. It won't const you a thing except a few minutes of your time and i don't know about you, but i often use some of my time on less significant things throughout each day. let's each try to do better to talk with our Father in heaven who is waiting to hear from each one of us.

Some people pray only when confronted with personal problems. Others don’t pray at all. a scripture makes this observation: “Ye do not remember the Lord your God in the things with which he hath blessed you, but ye do always remember our riches, not to thank the Lord… for them.”

Prophets have long told us to pray humbly and frequently.

How to Pray

Jesus taught us how. We pray to our Heavenly Father, in the nmae of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Ghost. This is the “true order of prayer,” in contrast to “vain repetitions” or recitations given to “be seen of men.”

Jesus revealed that we pray to a wise Father who knows what things we have need of, before we ask Him.

Mormon taught his son, Moroni, that we should pray “with all the energy of heart.” Nephi exclaimed, “I pray continually for [my people] by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, … and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.”

The sweet power of prayer can be intensified by fasting, on occasion, when to a particular need.

Prayers can be offered even in silence. One can think a prayer, especially when words would interfere. We often kneel to pray; we may stand or be seated. Physical position is less important than is spiritual submission to God.

We close our prayer “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.” When we hear another’s prayer, we audibly add our “amen,’ meaning, ‘That is my prayer, too.”

I teach the steps of prayer to my preschool class and they pray with me every day. I teach them that first they should 1. address God as our Heavenly Father, next I teach them to 2. thank their Heavenly Father for  all their blessings, then they should 3. ask Him for what they need, and last to 4. close their prayer “in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. They are so excited to learn that they can talk to their Heavenly Father at anytime and anywhere😊

When to Pray

When should we pray? The Lord said, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”

Alma said, “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.”

Personal Experience with Prayer

Many of us have had experiences with the sweet power of prayer. One of mine was shared with a stake patriarch from southern Utah. I first met him in my medical office more than 40 years ago, during the early pioneering days of surgery of the heart. This saintly soul suffered much because of a failing heart. He pleaded for help, thinking that his condition resulted from a damaged but repairable valve in his https://https://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/trust-in-the-lord-mm/watch/series/mormon-messages/trust-in-the-lord-mmheart.

Extensive evaluation revealed that he had two faulty valves. While one could be helped surgically, the other could not. Thus, an operation was not advised. He received this news with deep disappointment.

Subsequent visits ended with the same advice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke to me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and have been directed to yo. The Lord will not reveal to me how to repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so prepared. If you will operate upon me, the Lord will make it known to you what to do. Please perform the operation that I need and pray for the help that you need.”

"The home should be a place where reliance on the Lord is a matter of common experience, not reserved for special occasions. One way of establishing that is by regular, earnest prayer. It is not enough just to pray. It is essential that we really speak to the Lord, having faith that he will reveal to us as parents what we need to know and do for the welfare of our families."

—Spencer W. Kimball, "Strenghtening Our Families"

His great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away again? Following a fervent prayer together, I agreed to try. In preparing for that fearful day, I prayed over and over again, but still did not know what to do for his leaking tricuspid valve. Even as the operation commenced, my assistant asked, “What are you going to do for that?”

I said, “I do not know.” We began the operation. After relieving the obstruction of the first valve, we exposed the second valve. We found it to be intact but so badly dilated that it could no longer function as it should. While examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind: Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. “The valve tissue will be sufficient if we can effectively reduce the ring toward its normal size.”

But how? We could not apply a belt as one would use to tighten the waist of oversized trousers. We could not squeeze with a strap as one would cinch a saddle on a horse. Then a picture came vividly to my mind, showing stitches could be placed – to make a pleat here and a tuck there – to accomplish the desired objective. I still remember that mental image – complete with dotted lines where sutures should be placed. The repair was completed as diagrammed in my mind. We tested the valve and found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, “It’s a miracle.”

I responded, “It’s an answer to prayer.”

The patient’s recovery was rapid and his relief gratifying. Not only was he helped in a marvelous way, but surgical help for other people with similar problems had become a possibility. I take no credit. Praise goes to this faithful patriarch and to God, who answered our prayers. This faithful man lived for many more years and has since gone to his eternal glory.

Inquire of the Lord

When we pray, we should not presume to give counsel but should inquire of the Lord and hearken to His counsel. Joseph Smith’s first prayer ushered in the Restoration of the gospel. In 1833, he received the Word of Wisdom after asking the Lord for counsel. The revelation on the priesthood received in 1978 by President Spencer W. Kimball came after intense inquiry. Inspiration regarding the construction of smaller temples came after the pondering of President Gordon B. Hinckley.

Answer to Prayers

Not all of our prayers will be answered as we might wish. Occasionally the answer will be no. we should not be surprised. Loving mortal parents do not say yes to every request or their children.

At a recent extended family hoe evening, our grandchildren were having a wonderful time. A six-year-old grandson became very upset when his father said it was time to go home. So what did this dear boy do? He came to me and said, “Grandfather, may I have your permission to disobey my father?”

I said, “No, sweetheart. One of life’s great lessons is to learn that happiness comes through obedience. Go home with your family, and you will be happy.” Though disappointed, he dutifully obeyed.

We should pray in accord with the will of our Heavenly Father. He wants to test us, to strengthen us, and to help us achieve our full potential. When the Prophet Joseph Smith was held in Liberty Jail, he pled for relief. His prayers were answered with an explanation: “All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

I believe that prayer is a good beginning of our spiritual preparedness. I also believe that the power of prayer is tremendous. Think about it for a moment or two, whom should you pray for today, what do you need to pray for? Heavenly Father knows of our needs before we ask Him, He is only waiting for us to ask. Just because we ask for something doesn’t mean that we will get it, or even in the way that we think or feel we should get the answers, but our Heavenly Father will always answer our prayers.

The answer may not be what we expect, or when we expect it, or even how we expect it, but He will always answer our sincere heartfelt prayers. It has been my experience that He answers our prayers through other people. I was watching a Christmas movie the other day – and yes, I know that it’s July! I watch  the Hallmark channels and they do Christmas in July, so I get to watch them when I am not working and I love it! I would watch Christmas movies all year round. and it's quite alright if you think i am a little crazy to do this, but Christmas movies just make you feel good.

As I was saying, in this movie a young single mother with three children shows up to a town to look for work as her husband just left her and the children. she has two girls of her own and a young boy that was her husband's before they were married, but when her husband takes off she takes the boy with her and her girls. She drives her car as far as she can with the money that she has available to her and ends up in a small town. she gets a job at a diner and tries to work leaving her children in the motel with the young boy watching the girls alone. The baby floods the toilet after he falls asleep, so the motel manager gets upset with her. His wife has shows her compassion and helps her out by asking her daughter to babysit for her while she works.This she agrees to do for little to no money. 


Anyhow, her husband finds her and hands her divorce papers then he takes the boy away with him ad his buddies. the young mother goes to a park and prays -- she wasn't sure that there was a God, but she takes a chance and says 'If there is a God, if you are up there please don't let him take my boy ( she called him by his name, but I don't remember it) away, he needs to be here where he is safe and loved. The father dumps the boy off because he stutters and wears glasses and is not good enough, his son tells him that he wants to stay there with his sister.  

The towns people fall in love with her and her children, they all come together to help her out and long story short – there is a line in the movie that I really like about how Heavenly Father sends angels to help us, they just don’t always have wings. There are a lot of us right here on the ground. Or something to that effect😊 This is so very true because we are God's hands here on the earth, He needs all of us with all of our gifts and talents to be His angels here on earth.

Have you been someone's angel before? I know that I have tried to be as often as I can, mostly anonymously.  One of my favorite things to do with my children was to deliver Christmas presents to neighbors in need without them knowing who delivered them. my children would take the packages to the door then ring the doorbell and run and hide and watch to be sure the gifts were taken inside.

 I don’t know that heavenly angels have wings because I have not seen one that I am aware of, but I have had experience with an awful lot of His angels right here on earth and they are some amazing people to say the very least! They have been there to answer my prayers and help my family and I our on numerous occasions – maybe one of them was you at one time or another, and if that has been the case, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for being in tune with the Spirit and being the Heavenly Father’s hands here upon the earth! Let us all be willing to pray to know who the Lord needs us to help each day. remember He needs all of our help! so don't forget to pray, everyday - morning, noon, and night-- and keep a prayer in your heart throughout every day. 

Post #24 – My next Surgery

Dear Family and Friends

I kind of got off track these past few posts, so today I am swinging back around a bit😊 so far we have been over my diagnosis, my surgery for my post, the red devil chemotherapy treatments, chemo brain, how laughter helps, how a great support system helps (emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically), and today I want to talk about my next surgery – these have all been a part of my cancer treatment.

 "Another cosmic fact: only by aligning our wills with God’s is full happiness to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion (see Alma 12:10–11). The Lord will work with us even if, at first, we “can no more than desire” but are willing to “give place for a portion of [His] words” (Alma 32:27). A small foothold is all He needs! But we must desire and provide it."

—Neal A. Maxwell, "Swallowed Up in the Willl of the Father"

I don’t know if I mentioned  to you that I would have to have my breast removed because of the cancer. I was OK with that, I told the doctor that he could take anything that he needed--that I didn’t need-- as long as it would leave me more time with my family. So, now I will need to make another appointment with my original surgeon. They were very kind from the office staff to the nurses, and the doctor.

My daughter was there with me during this time as well. Originally, they thought they would have to take both breasts, but decided after the genetic tests that is was only necessary for them to take the one that was cancerous. It had spread to my lymph nodes, so they couldn't do just do a lumpectomy. for those of you who have not experienced or known someone who has experienced a mastectomy -- here is some information for you.

Mastectomy

Overview

·        https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mastectomy/about/pac-20394670

Mastectomy

A mastectomy is surgery to remove all breast tissue from a breast as a way to treat or prevent breast cancer.

For those with early-stage breast cancer, a mastectomy may be one treatment option. Breast-conserving surgery (lumpectomy), in which only the tumor is removed from the breast, may be another option.

Deciding between a mastectomy and lumpectomy can be difficult. Both procedures are equally effective for preventing a recurrence of breast cancer. But a lumpectomy isn't an option for everyone with breast cancer, and others prefer to undergo a mastectomy.

Newer mastectomy techniques can preserve breast skin and allow for a more natural breast appearance following the procedure. This is also known as skin-sparing mastectomy.

Surgery to restore shape to your breast — called breast reconstruction — may be done at the same time as your mastectomy or during a second operation at a later date.

"Another cosmic fact: only by aligning our wills with God’s is full happiness to be found. Anything less results in a lesser portion (see Alma 12:10–11). The Lord will work with us even if, at first, we “can no more than desire” but are willing to “give place for a portion of [His] words” (Alma 32:27). A small foothold is all He needs! But we must desire and provide it."

—Neal A. Maxwell, "Swallowed Up in the Willl of the Father"

Why it's done

A mastectomy is used to remove all breast tissue if you have breast cancer or are at very high risk of developing it. You may have a mastectomy to remove one breast (unilateral mastectomy) or both breasts (bilateral mastectomy).

Mastectomy for breast cancer treatment

A mastectomy may be a treatment option for many types of breast cancer, including:

·         Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), or noninvasive breast cancer

·         Stages I and II (early-stage) breast cancer

·         Stage III (locally advanced) breast cancer — after chemotherapy

·         Inflammatory breast cancer — after chemotherapy This is the  type of cancer that I have so therefore the reason for my mastectomy. This type of cancer is very aggressive and grows more rapidly than other types of breast cancer as I have been told.

·         Paget's disease of the breast

·         Locally recurrent breast cancer

Your doctor may recommend a mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy plus radiation if:

·         You have two or more tumors in separate areas of the breast.

·         You have widespread or malignant-appearing calcium deposits (microcalcifications) throughout the breast that have been determined to be cancer after a breast biopsy.

·         You've previously had radiation treatment to the breast region and the breast cancer has recurred in the breast.

·         You're pregnant and radiation creates an unacceptable risk to your unborn child.

·         You've had a lumpectomy, but cancer is still present at the edges (margin) of the operated area and there is concern about cancer extending to elsewhere in the breast.

·         You carry a gene mutation that gives you a high risk of developing a second cancer in your breast.

·         You have a large tumor relative to the overall size of your breast. You may not have enough healthy tissue left after a lumpectomy to achieve an acceptable cosmetic result. This too, was the reason given for my mastectomy, my tumor was so aggressive and fast growing.

·         You have a connective tissue disease, such as scleroderma or lupus, and may not tolerate the side effects of radiation to the skin.

"The most important thing you can do is to learn to talk to God. Talk to Him as you would talk to your father, for He is your Father, and He wants you to talk to Him. He wants you to cultivate ears to listen, when He gives you the impressions of the Spirit to tell you what to do. If you learn to give heed to the sudden ideas which come to your minds, you will find those things coming through in the very hour of your need. If you will cultivate an ear to hear these promptings, you will have learned to walk by the spirit of revelation."

—Harold B. Lee, "Chapter 6: To Hear the Voice of the Lord"

Mastectomy to prevent breast cancer

You might also consider a mastectomy if you don't have breast cancer but have a very high risk of developing the disease.

A preventive (prophylactic) or risk-reducing mastectomy involves removing both of your breasts and significantly reduces your risk of developing breast cancer in the future.

A prophylactic mastectomy is reserved for those with a very high risk of breast cancer, which is determined by a strong family history of breast cancer or the presence of certain genetic mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer.

Risks

Risks of a mastectomy include:

·         Bleeding

·         Infection

·         Pain

·         Swelling (lymphedema) in your arm if you have an axillary node dissection

·         Formation of hard scar tissue at the surgical site

·         Shoulder pain and stiffness

·         Numbness, particularly under your arm, from lymph node removal

·         Buildup of blood in the surgical site (hematoma)

"Acknowledge and face your weaknesses, but don’t be immobilized by them, because some of them will be your companions until you depart this earth life. No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior’s Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, wherever you go. Living in this manner, you can truly “always retain a remission of your sins” (Mosiah 4:12) every hour of every day, every second of every minute, and thus be fully clean and acceptable before God all the time."

—Jörg Klebingat, "Approaching the Throne of God wth Confidence"

 

How you prepare

Meet with your surgeon to discuss your options

Before your surgery, you'll meet with a surgeon and an anesthesiologist to discuss your operation, review your medical history and determine the plan for your anesthesia.

This is a good time to ask questions and to make sure you understand the procedure, including the reasons for and risks of the surgery.

One issue to discuss is whether you'll have breast reconstruction and when. One option may be to have the reconstruction done immediately after your mastectomy, while you're still anesthetized.

The first time I went in to see the surgeon about the breast removal, there were two women there to guide me through the process, which was very helpful for me. They gave me their cards, so I could call if I needed anything.

"You are never lost when you can see the temple. The temple will provide direction for you and your family in a world filled with chaos. It is an eternal guidepost which will help you from getting lost in the “mist of darkness.” It is the house of the Lord. It is a place where covenants are made and eternal ordinances are performed."

—Gary E. Stevenson, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples"

Breast reconstruction may involve:

·         Using breast expanders with saline or silicone implants As I understand it, they could not do this for me because of the radiation that I would be undergoing after my mastectomy.

·         Using your body's own tissue (autologous tissue reconstruction) They could not save any of my breast tissue because it was all cancerous. It is amazing the things you learn after the fact😊

·         Using a combination of tissue reconstruction and implants

Breast reconstruction is a complex procedure performed by a plastic surgeon, also called a reconstructive surgeon. If you're planning breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy, you'll meet with the plastic surgeon before the surgery.

Preparing for your surgery

You'll be given instructions about any restrictions before surgery and other things you need to know, including:

·         Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking. Some substances could interfere with the surgery.

·         Stop taking aspirin or other blood-thinning medication. A week or longer before your surgery, talk to your provider about which medications to avoid because they can increase your risk of excessive bleeding. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and other pain relievers, and blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants), such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

·         Don't eat or drink 8 to 12 hours before surgery. You'll receive specific instructions from your health care team.

·         Prepare for a hospital stay. Ask your doctor how long to expect to stay in the hospital. Bring a robe and slippers to help make you more comfortable in the hospital. Pack a bag with your toothbrush and something to help you pass the time, such as a book.

"The Atonement is for you and for me. It is an enabling and a redeeming power. If you are not feeling worthy to stand in holy places, do not carry this burden one day longer. In mortality, we will all make mistakes. Be assured that the Savior loves you so much that He made it possible for you to change and to repent if you make a mistake. Satan does not want you to think you can change. He will try to convince you that all is lost. That is a lie. You can return. You can repent. You can be pure and holy because of the Savior’s infinite Atonement."

—Elaine S. Dalton, "Be Not Moved!"

What you can expect

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mastectomy/about/pac-20394670

Sentinel node biopsy

A mastectomy is an umbrella term used for several techniques to remove one or both breasts. In addition, the surgeon may also remove nearby lymph nodes to determine whether the cancer has spread.

During an axillary node dissection, the surgeon removes a number of lymph nodes from your armpit on the side of the tumor.

In a sentinel lymph node biopsy, your surgeon removes only the first few nodes into which a tumor drains (sentinel nodes).

Lymph nodes removed during a mastectomy are then tested for cancer. If no cancer is present, no further lymph nodes need be removed. If cancer is present, the surgeon will discuss options, such as radiation to your armpit. If this is what you decide to do, no further lymph nodes will need to be removed.

Removing all of the breast tissue and most of the lymph nodes is called a modified radical mastectomy. Newer mastectomy techniques remove less tissue and fewer lymph nodes. The doctor told me during my recovery from surgery that they had to take all of my lymph nodes because they were all cancerous. So, instead of having a simple  radical mastectomy I ended up having a modified radical mastectomy.

"It should be obvious to each of us that our ultimate friendship should be with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior has affectionately said to us, “I will call you friends, for you are my friends” (D&C 93:45). His greatest desire for us, His brothers and sisters, is to bring us back to our Father. And the way for us is clear: develop in our lives, to the degree that we can, the qualities and attributes of Christ. Obey His commandments and do His work and His will."

—Kathleen H. Hughes, "What Greater Goodness Can We Know: Christlike Friends"

Other types of mastectomy include:

·         Total mastectomy. A total mastectomy, also known as a simple mastectomy, involves removal of the entire breast, including the breast tissue, areola and nipple. A sentinel lymph node biopsy may be done at the time of a total mastectomy.

·         Skin-sparing mastectomy. A skin-sparing mastectomy involves removal of all the breast tissue, nipple and areola, but not the breast skin. A sentinel lymph node biopsy also may be done. Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after the mastectomy.

A skin-sparing mastectomy may not be suitable for larger tumors.

·         Nipple-sparing mastectomy. A nipple- or areola-sparing mastectomy involves removal of only breast tissue, sparing the skin, nipple and areola. A sentinel lymph node biopsy also may be done. Breast reconstruction is performed immediately afterward.

 

Before the procedure

Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital. A mastectomy without reconstruction usually takes one to three hours. The surgery is often done as an outpatient procedure, and most people go home on the same day of the operation.

If you're having both breasts removed (a double mastectomy), expect to spend more time in surgery and possibly an additional day in the hospital. If you're having breast reconstruction following a mastectomy, the procedure also takes longer and you may stay in the hospital for a few additional days.

If you're having a sentinel node biopsy, before your surgery a radioactive tracer and a blue dye are injected into the area around the tumor or the skin above the tumor. The tracer and the dye travel to the sentinel node or nodes, allowing your doctor to see where they are and remove them during surgery.

So, my appointment was made, and I went in to the hospital on December 19, 2015. They visited with me for a while, put in the IV and pretty soon I was ready to be taken down to the surgical unit. I know that I was awake for a short while, after I went to the surgical unit, but I’m not sure just for how long. When the surgery was done, I awoke in the  hospital room where I would stay for a few days.

 

During the procedure

A mastectomy is usually performed under general anesthesia, so you're not aware during the surgery. Your surgeon starts by making an elliptical incision around your breast. The breast tissue is removed and, depending on your procedure, other parts of the breast also may be removed.

Regardless of the type of mastectomy you have, the breast tissue and lymph nodes that are removed will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

If you're having breast reconstruction at the same time as a mastectomy, the plastic surgeon will coordinate with the breast surgeon to be available at the time of surgery.

One option for breast reconstruction involves placing temporary tissue expanders in the chest. These temporary expanders will form the new breast mound.

For women who will have radiation therapy after surgery, one option is to place temporary tissue expanders in the chest to hold the breast skin in place. This allows you to delay final breast reconstruction until after radiation therapy.

If you're planning to have radiation therapy after surgery, meet with a radiation oncologist before surgery to discuss benefits and risks, as well as how radiation will impact your breast reconstruction options. I am sure that they did, but I do not remember them to have ever talked with me about breast reconstruction prior to the surgery. I asked my daughter and she said that they mentioned it briefly and gave me pamphlet but that was all that was ever said about breast reconstruction. See how important it is to have an extra set of eyes and ears at your appointments.

As the surgery is completed, the incision is closed with stitches (sutures), which either dissolve or are removed later. You might also have one or two small plastic tubes placed where your breast was removed. The tubes will drain any fluids that accumulate after surgery. The tubes are sewn into place, and the ends are attached to a small drainage bag. These bags are for you to empty each time they fill up, but it wasn’t too bad for me. You just do what you got to do – right?

After the procedure

After your surgery, you can expect to:

·         Be taken to a recovery room where your blood pressure, pulse and breathing are monitored

·         Have a dressing (bandage) over the surgery site

·         Feel some pain, numbness and a pinching sensation in your underarm area

·         Receive instructions on how to care for yourself at home, including taking care of your incision and drains, recognizing signs of infection, and understanding activity restrictions

·         Talk with your health care team about when to resume wearing a bra or wearing a breast prosthesis

·         Be given prescriptions for pain medication and possibly an antibiotic

When the doctor came in to visit with me I had tubes coming out of my front where my breast used to be as well as one on the side under my arm where my lymph nodes used to be. He said that they had to take all of my lymph node on that side because they were all cancerous. they did tests on everything while I was under anesthesia. Did you know how they determine how much of the breast to take? I was told that they only take as much as is cancerous. I asked this question because of the odd little blob of tissue  in my underarm area. I asked why the doctor left it there when he could have easily shaped it better  -- so weird, right?

It was very painful recovery as it was extremely sore for two weeks, so I had to be off work for two weeks until the doctor took the tubes out after they stopped draining. for those of you who have not experienced or known someone who has experienced a mastectomy -- here is some information for you.

Results

The results of your pathology report should be available within a week or two after your mastectomy. At your follow-up visit, your doctor can explain the report.

If you need more treatment, your doctor may refer you to:

·         A radiation oncologist to discuss radiation treatments, which may be recommended if you had a large tumor, many lymph nodes that tested positive for cancer, cancer that had spread into the skin or nipple, or cancer remaining after the mastectomy

·         A medical oncologist to discuss other forms of treatment after the operation, such as hormone therapy if your cancer is sensitive to hormones or chemotherapy or both

·         A plastic surgeon, if you're considering breast reconstruction

-- I have gone to see a breast reconstruction specialist – plastic surgeon, but she told me that I would have to wait a year after the radiation was completed before breast reconstruction would be an option for me. My son went with e to this appointment and even he thought that the reconstruction would be a very hard process to undergo –  with any of the options that she presented to us. I know that this is different for every woman, hopefully I have given you some information that is helpful to you in making your decisions.

·         A counselor or support group to help you cope with having breast cancer

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mastectomy/about/pac-20394670

It seems as if cancer is so much more prevalent now a day than it used to be, or maybe its just that we are more aware of it now than when my mother had her cancer back in the 70’s, I wonder? I see more movies with cancer patients in them as well as more commercials about cancer – especially breast cancer.

Shoot just since my diagnosis in 2015 I have 7 different people in my life who have been diagnosed with different forms of cancer. These are people that I know well, most are friends, and one is my sister – who was recently diagnosed with HER-2 positive breast cancer.  Wow! So out of a group of twenty people – seven have cancer. How many people do you know who have some form of cancer? I will leave you today with this bit of information on mastectomy and my thoughts on the frequency of cancer that seems to be going on now, of course it might be just me. Make it a great week everybody😊