Marni, I would be more than a little disturbed if I had received the talk you got from the first woman. So glad you found an athletic woman who has been through what you are going through. I also understand how the decision to wait may be frustrating you right now, but if you can focus on the ride and the wonderful time you will have with your sisters, maybe that will help? I assume your surgery is scheduled right after the ride. It will be soon enough and I am sure the doctors would not have let you wait if they thought it made a difference in your recovery.
It amazes me that religion is getting mixed up with cancer recovery.