Melissa Moskau

Friends and Family,

Most of you know I have been struggling with a wound from my first cancer surgery. The skin has been battered from surgery and radiation treatments eight years ago. I have infection in my body and the result is my chest wall needs gutting and built back.I have a rib that has died and much infectious tissue.

I started with high fever at home, but on New Year’s Eve morning, I knew I needed to go to the emergency room. This was the third time in five months.I didn’t want to go. Mama and I packed a few things and went. I was eventually admitted to the hospital, and soon after a team of doctors formed to determine how to get rid of this wound. I’ve been on antibiotics since I got here, IV primarily. My fever is gone.

The team of doctors have found a remedy: major surgery. A thoracic surgeon and plastic surgeon are collaborating and performing the surgery together. The set back is my labs have been poor, my bone marrow struggling, and I’ve been off of chemotherapy for my breast cancer for some time. They say medically I’m a mess.

However, my labs and vitals are getting better. The infectious disease doctor has me on antibiotics since I arrived, and I’ve been on medications to help my white blood cell count. It’s helping. I’m ready for surgery. Without having this done, there would be serious consequences as infection has made it’s way in.

So I don’t get to go home until after I have surgery and recover. The surgery is intense: rebuilding my chest wall and taking skin from my back for a flap. It is scheduled for Wednesday, January 14, in the afternoon. Your prayers mean everything.

Once the surgery and recovery is over, I will be able to resume my last chemotherapy for my bone marrow, and hopefully soon after start back on the chemotherapy for my breast cancer. The priority now is having this surgery. To have it is a risk but not to have it is a greater risk.

My Mama is here with me and has been at my side. She wants to be here, and I am so grateful. Because of her Alzheimer’s, it’s extra stressful for her.

I am so grateful that the Lord has given me peace throughout these days. We see His goodness through the pain everyday. The Lord is our helper (Psalm 121).

We need your prayers. Here are some ways you can pray for us:

• Wisdom and direction for surgeons
• My labs and vitals and body to get healthier
• My Mama to get rest and be strong cognitively
• Patience as I await surgery
• The surgery to be successful and without complications

—Melissa

#surgery #cancer #prayforjanieandmelissa #theLordisourhelp