July 2026

Dear Family and Friends

I hope you are well and enjoying your Summer so far and surviving the heat.  For those of you outside of the UK we have been experiencing a few heatwaves. Last week in London we had our “feels like” temperatures at 40C/104F!  My Florida blood loves the heat BUT - our homes in the UK and most of Europe do not have air-conditioning or ceiling fans like many homes have in America, so the heat was unbearable at times.  Schools closed and people were encouraged not to travel on public transportation if they could avoid it because again, most buses and trains do not have air-conditioning.

The heat also did not help in my healing process.  Trying to keep a wound dry so it could heal was impossible.  My wound is still healing now 4 weeks post surgery. Please pray that it completely heals without infection or complications so the next steps can begin.

This week was my first oncology appointment.  I know that everyone has been praying for my gene results to come back negative – Please keep praying for that!  Unfortunately though, I found out this week that the results will take quite a while to come back.  For radiation to be effective it has to happen within 12 weeks after surgery and because the gene test was only taken 2 weeks ago the results will not be back within the 12 week window of radiation.  This means I will go forward with radiation before having the results.  They still need to do some things to prepare me for radiation, like a CT scan etc, but radiation should start in the next 3 weeks. By then my scar should be completely healed.

I am feeling better and less sore praise God!  I’ve even started back at work which has been so refreshing for me! 

Last week was probably my hardest week emotionally because it was our Student Leaders Camp in Marseille. France that I help organise, oversee and teach on every year.  It’s one of my biggest highlights of the year.  I cried a lot missing out on seeing and experiencing everything that God was doing in and through these amazing leaders.  This year we had 32 leaders from 13 churches across 10 countries in Europe!  Here is a picture of the group.

Over the next 3 weeks I plan on getting back into a work routine as much as possible.  My church is amazing and has been so good to me giving me all the time I need to recover.  Once I start radiation they will continue to be flexible if I need time off. Summertime is usually planning and strategy time for the Autumn season which I am looking forward to.  There are a lot of exciting things coming up that I will share in the coming months!

Thank you so much for all of your prayers – I REALLY need them and appreciate them SO MUCH!

Blessings

Traci