. . .We interrupt your regularly (or not so regular) scheduled blogging to bring you an annoying update. This blog has been temporarily taken over by cancer. The big ugly monster has taken over again so we will use this blog to give updates, so that my wimpy voice doesn't have to repeat and people don't have to wonder what's going on. Steve has hooked me up with a sweet little laptop so I can keep in touch with the outside world while I'm laid up. (Thanks, Love). So, I figured I can take a few minutes every once in a while and post on here to help people stay in the loop and understand what's going on.
. . .Back to the beginning. I went in for a physical a couple months ago and mentioned I had been having some minor issues with a lump in my throat. The Dr. suggested an ultrasound and blood work to check my thyroid. Blood work came back great, but the ultrasound showed a nodule on the right side. They reassured me it was nothing but said that it needed to be biopsied just to be sure. Well, the biopsy showed that it is Papillary thyroid cancer. After some more tests and a second opinion we had surgery last Wednesday the 10th. They removed my entire thyroid and all the lymph nodes on the right side. I went in this morning to have the stitches removed and the Dr. told me that the cancer had spread to one of the lymph nodes--not a big deal, but not great. Everything should get wiped clean when they do radiation in a few weeks.
Surgery was not too bad--I think the anticipation was the worst part. Pain medicine is great! Every day I feel a little stronger and a little less pain so that is good. The Dr. said that by next wednesday I should be back at 80% as far as how I feel so that will make for a good Thanksgiving. After that I will start to feel the effects of hypothyroidism. Since I have no thyroid I will have no thyroid hormone and will continue to become more hypothyroid. As soon as my levels reach a certain low then they will do the radioactive iodine treatment and I will have to be isolated for 3 days. I will then have a nuclear scan to make sure everything is in order and doing it's job and then they can start me on thyroid replacement medicines and can start a slow climb out the pit.
So, to all of you who thought you'd missed your chance to help out this week--never fear, there is more to come. The Dr. told me the day after surgery that the way I felt now was nothing compared to how rotten I'll feel when I'm hypothyroid. So, I guess I just need to keep my chin up and trust in Higher Hands to help me through. Speaking of hands, I am SO very grateful to all of you who have offered words of encouragement, support and love. To all of you who have come and visited, taken my kids to and from and brought in meals. We have had the yummiest food ever this week!! I couldn't do this without all of you! And a huge thank you also to my sisters who are amazing and are always there for me! And to Steve and my kids who have totally stepped up and have taken over "mommy jobs" for me and have waited on me and snuggled with me and given me never-ending encouragement ('Mom-you turned your head! Good Job!')
I love you all!
. . .Back to the beginning. I went in for a physical a couple months ago and mentioned I had been having some minor issues with a lump in my throat. The Dr. suggested an ultrasound and blood work to check my thyroid. Blood work came back great, but the ultrasound showed a nodule on the right side. They reassured me it was nothing but said that it needed to be biopsied just to be sure. Well, the biopsy showed that it is Papillary thyroid cancer. After some more tests and a second opinion we had surgery last Wednesday the 10th. They removed my entire thyroid and all the lymph nodes on the right side. I went in this morning to have the stitches removed and the Dr. told me that the cancer had spread to one of the lymph nodes--not a big deal, but not great. Everything should get wiped clean when they do radiation in a few weeks.
Surgery was not too bad--I think the anticipation was the worst part. Pain medicine is great! Every day I feel a little stronger and a little less pain so that is good. The Dr. said that by next wednesday I should be back at 80% as far as how I feel so that will make for a good Thanksgiving. After that I will start to feel the effects of hypothyroidism. Since I have no thyroid I will have no thyroid hormone and will continue to become more hypothyroid. As soon as my levels reach a certain low then they will do the radioactive iodine treatment and I will have to be isolated for 3 days. I will then have a nuclear scan to make sure everything is in order and doing it's job and then they can start me on thyroid replacement medicines and can start a slow climb out the pit.
So, to all of you who thought you'd missed your chance to help out this week--never fear, there is more to come. The Dr. told me the day after surgery that the way I felt now was nothing compared to how rotten I'll feel when I'm hypothyroid. So, I guess I just need to keep my chin up and trust in Higher Hands to help me through. Speaking of hands, I am SO very grateful to all of you who have offered words of encouragement, support and love. To all of you who have come and visited, taken my kids to and from and brought in meals. We have had the yummiest food ever this week!! I couldn't do this without all of you! And a huge thank you also to my sisters who are amazing and are always there for me! And to Steve and my kids who have totally stepped up and have taken over "mommy jobs" for me and have waited on me and snuggled with me and given me never-ending encouragement ('Mom-you turned your head! Good Job!')
I love you all!
5 days post-op, before stitches taken out(I had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic ointment they put on so there is a little rash that makes it look worse than it really is.)
2 comments:
:O) Love ya!
Hi Heidi! I'm glad the block will be getting some action. I'm a bit of a blog-stalker and I get lots of info from blogs. So, I'm glad yours will be put to use. I assume you'll keep using the Heling Hands web-site to ask for assistance. I'll have to go and check for updates and see what I can do to help your family. I'm so glad your family has rallied around you. Of course they would! And, I'm glad I got to see you in the hospital a few times. Your scar looks even better now than it did then...and it wasn't bad then either! Your doc did a good job!
I just want you to know you are in our prayers every night. I think of you often. I should drop you a line or a text when I'm thinking of you!
If we can help in any way, please let me know. Or, get it up on the Helping Hands website. I know there is an army of people just waiting to do something for you. It's because we all love you so much!
Take care! I LOVE YOU! ~T :)
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