On March 17th, my mom, Shirley Clark went in for a biopsy for a spot on her tongue. The news was not what we expected. She was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Or otherwise known as tongue cancer. We were obviously devastated by this news. We know nothing about this or what is about to come. But we do have faith that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is going to get us through this and she will be okay.
Surgery is set for May 7th. This will be a 10 hour surgery. Hospital stay will probably be 8-10 days with up to half of that time in ICU. They want to keep her as immobile as possible those first few days after surgery.
Dr. Ghali is her doctor and is the best in this area. He is so personable and uplifting. He assures her that in 3 months no one will ever know she has had this surgery.
She will have a feeding tube and a trach. They will cut a piece of her tongue, the test it and will cut until the cancer is gone. At that point they will begin reconstruction of the tongue by taking a flab from her arm. Sounds so tedious and amazing all at the same time that they are able to do this. Dr. Ghali talked as if he does this all the time and come to find out, he says he does about one of these surgeries a week.
Please pray for all of us. We know it will be tough. For mom and for us. God is still on His throne and this is just one more testimony we will share as a family.
20 comments:
Mrs. Clark and the entire family will be in our prayers!
Samantha Williams
mom to: Tanner Stewart and Bella Kyzar
Mrs. Clark,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gorham Family
Mrs. Clark,
Our prayers are with you and your
family. May God bless you all.
Hall Family
We are all praying for you and your family, and thanks to you for creating this blog to not only keep everyone posted, but also to allow some measure of comfort and support to Shirley as she becomes able to read the posts.
Sherri Youngblood
(Embroidables message board pal - artsiegirl)
There are alot of prayers coming your way! This blog will be an awesome link for us to keep up on your progress. Have a blessed day!
Jessica Herndon
(aka-SewSoHappy on the Embroidables board)
Shirley,
My thoughts and deepest prayers are with you and your family through this and into the weeks and months ahead...you are a very special lady...
mrs clark i just wanted to let you know that i will keep you in my prayers and just to let you know that you are one of my favorite teachers and you rock
your student alexis taglavore
I will and have been keeping you in my prayers dear lady. I know God will pull you through and you will be a blessing to others as you show your faith. Keep strong in the lord.
Gods love to you,
Tammy
Shirley just wanted to give this big hug espeicially to you!!!
Wow the worse part is almost over. Waiting for what comes next seems at time the hardest. And you certainly had time to wait....
Again smiles and hugs. Exercise those finger ready for some sign language! I looking forward to your thumbs up sign!
Good thoughts and prayers and with you and your lovely family!
By the way Shirley do you have the time?
Mrs. Clark and family,our thoughts and prayers are with you,keep the faith and stay strong.
Whitaker Family
My prayers are going up to heaven for Miss Shirley.. I pray that there will be a legion of angels at the doctor's side while he is doing surery guiding him in their majestic way. Afterwards they will stay with Shirley helping her to recover completely and quickly. God be with you all.
Emily, thank you so much for setting this blog up.
Shirley, you and your family are in my prayers. I love you all.
Jay Dawn
mrs.clark, you are my best teacher and I will always pray for you and never forget about you. Hope you will feel better!
from: Kade wilde
Shirley and I go back to the time her Mother and my daughter, Donna were in ICU. She was a Godsend to me. We became so close and as the days went by we realized how much we are alike. Everyone in the hospital thought we were sisters. I was there when her Mother died and then she was there with me to help me get through the weeks, as we were not sure my daugher would live, but thanks to God above she is much better, but still has problems. Shirley you will be in my thoughts and prayers as you already were. I love you dearly and I know as a cancer survivor all will go well with you. Give our love to Emily and Cody and oh yes to Clay. We have had some good times together over the years. We love you! Don and Lynda
Shirley,
Mark, Peyton and I will be thinking and praying for you. Be tough 'ol girl, you've got a lot of prayers coming your way.
Stacia
May God hold you and your family in his loving arms as you go through this diffcult time.
P.S. If you need any extra arm flab, I have plenty :P
Knew we hadn't been seeing much on the Sew Forum lately--glad you published the blog address. Seems the Sew Forum is like a big family--and as such, we pray for each other and are there for each other (no matter the number of miles, or if we've ever met). My family will be sending prayers for all of you--especially tomorrow around surgery time.
Keep the faith and know that God will not only be in surgery with Shirley, but also with all of you in the waiting room.
Shelly aka shewsewsall on the Sew Forum
Shirley,
I am so relieved to hear that you are progressing so well. I have been thinking about and praying for you daily.
I wish you the best in your recovery. You must be one tough cookie! You are missed on the forum, looking forward to seeing you back there. Many hugs to you lady.
Mrs Bix 10 from sewforum
Dear Shirley,
I am so happy to hear that you are progressing very well. You must be one tough cookie! Many people are praying for you and a full recovery.
Hope to see you back on the forum as soon as possible...you are missed.
Many hugs and best wishes being sent your way.
Sheree Bixler from sewforum
I'm so glad that Shirley is making progress and that she is getting good reports from the doctors. She, as well as you, Clay, and Coday, have been in our thoughts and prayers. Her amazing strength just goes to prove that you can't keep a "5th Grade Teacher" down!
Becky Parker
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