J and I went to see Dr. A today and we are all set for Tuesday! I'm glad that the two procedures could be combined. I will be having an excisional breast biopsy with needle localization and a thyroidectomy with possible neck dissection. I am so grateful for all of the people who helped to coordinate everything - family, friends, the office ladies, Dr. K, and Dr. A.
After all of the pathology reports come back we will be able to make a more specific treatment plan. Thank you for all of your kind words and prayers - it really helps to feel all of your love and support.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Anticipation
We don't do so well with anticipation around our house. For better or worse, we deal much better with the known. I think most people are that way. I am thankful for all of my wonderful friends and family, but can't call each of you as often as I'd like. Because I don't text or facebook, I'm going to post information on my long neglected blog so you'll know what is happening.
Monday, August 19
6 month follow-up ultrasound on nodule in my left thyroid lobe.
6 month follow-up ultrasound for the breast lump.
Tuesday, August 20
Radiologist called to let me know that the changes in the breast lump bumped my BI-RADS number from a 3 to a 4. We schedule a core biopsy for Friday.
Wednesday, August 21
I am canning apricots when Dr. K's office calls to tell me that my thyroid biopsy had some abnormalities...Would I like to come in today instead of next week to talk about it? Sure. J and I go see Dr. K and learn that I have thyroid cancer. The lymph node biopsy came back benign. We schedule surgery to remove my thyroid for Tuesday, Sept. 2.
I go to back to school night with three of my kids and introduce myself to their new teachers. It feels surreal to tell them that things might be a little crazy in our family for a while because I have cancer.
Thursday, August 22
First day of school for M, P, and G! They all have a great first day and come home full of stories. My dad and J give me a blessing. I feel reassured that we will all be alright, but it is not going to be easy.
Friday, August 23
G's 8th birthday. I have the breast lump biopsy. It bleeds a lot and the doctor asks what I am planning to do tomorrow. When I tell him I am running a half marathon, he gives me some more instructions about caring for my biopsy site so I don't hemorrhage like the girl who did the same thing last year. I bind my breasts and use ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off until I go to bed. I hope it will work.
I go to pick up my race packet with my mom, sister, and G. We go birthday shopping and stop for frozen yogurt.
Saturday, August 24
My friend and I leave for the half marathon at 4:45 a.m. We could have left at 1:00...I'm having a hard time sleeping.
It was perfect race weather. I double up the sports bras and run with my mom - she set a new personal best and I finished faster than I did the first time I ran this race. The race was a great stress reliever...I left a lot of my frustration and few tears along the course. I cried when I got my medal. When I got home I hung it up in my room to remind me that I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me.
Sunday, August 25
Great talks in church today - recapping what we learned at our special stake conference last week. Much about struggling, growing, and bringing forth good fruit. Lots of food for thought.
On the way home from church, J notices that the biopsy sites on my neck are green today. Lovely.
I went to choir practice. One of the risks of this thyroid surgery is damage to your vocal nerves. Most people are hoarse for a few days or weeks...once in a while it is permanent. This might be the last practice I attend for a while.
Monday, August 26
First day of Kindergarten. E is nervous, but when she gets off of the bus she tells me that it was "The best day EVERRRRRRRRR!" I'm so glad.
Tuesday, August 27
My bosom is a bright shade of chartreuse...healing bruises are colorful.
I spend the morning in the temple with two of my friends. I feel at peace. I am confident that in the long run, I am going to be fine. I feel like the near future is going to be a bit of a bumpy ride.
In the afternoon, I read my breast biopsy results online. Hmm. Atypical cells. Nuclear enlargement. Hyperchomasia. Nueclear pleomorphism. Surgical biopsy recommended. I call my mom and she and I look up words together. We get the general idea. I hope that the doctor's office will call tomorrow and explain what this all means in laymen terms. I wait.
Wednesday, August 28
I decide to call the doctor myself...I only speak with office people, but they get me a referral to a surgeon. I call the surgeon's office. The lady on the phone tells me that their first open appointment isn't until next Tuesday. I explain my situation and she transfers me to Jackie who says she will talk to the doctor herself and see what she can do. I wait.
I take B to speech. I pick up copies of his homework to leave with my sister when B goes to visit. We discuss his speech goals and finish his IEP over the phone. I wait.
Late in the afternoon Jackie calls me back. She says that Dr. A is on call on Friday and can see me at noon. We'll talk about my results and what is next then. She tells me to keep my surgery for Tuesday and they will try to work something out with Dr. K's office. I am so grateful. I'm sure it took her all day to work out the details.
Monday, August 19
6 month follow-up ultrasound on nodule in my left thyroid lobe.
- same size as before
- several enlarged lymph nodes in my neck
- small new nodule growing in the right lobe
6 month follow-up ultrasound for the breast lump.
- lump appears to be slightly larger
- appears more solid and less cystic than before
Tuesday, August 20
Radiologist called to let me know that the changes in the breast lump bumped my BI-RADS number from a 3 to a 4. We schedule a core biopsy for Friday.
Wednesday, August 21
I am canning apricots when Dr. K's office calls to tell me that my thyroid biopsy had some abnormalities...Would I like to come in today instead of next week to talk about it? Sure. J and I go see Dr. K and learn that I have thyroid cancer. The lymph node biopsy came back benign. We schedule surgery to remove my thyroid for Tuesday, Sept. 2.
I go to back to school night with three of my kids and introduce myself to their new teachers. It feels surreal to tell them that things might be a little crazy in our family for a while because I have cancer.
Thursday, August 22
First day of school for M, P, and G! They all have a great first day and come home full of stories. My dad and J give me a blessing. I feel reassured that we will all be alright, but it is not going to be easy.
Friday, August 23
G's 8th birthday. I have the breast lump biopsy. It bleeds a lot and the doctor asks what I am planning to do tomorrow. When I tell him I am running a half marathon, he gives me some more instructions about caring for my biopsy site so I don't hemorrhage like the girl who did the same thing last year. I bind my breasts and use ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off until I go to bed. I hope it will work.
I go to pick up my race packet with my mom, sister, and G. We go birthday shopping and stop for frozen yogurt.
Saturday, August 24
My friend and I leave for the half marathon at 4:45 a.m. We could have left at 1:00...I'm having a hard time sleeping.
It was perfect race weather. I double up the sports bras and run with my mom - she set a new personal best and I finished faster than I did the first time I ran this race. The race was a great stress reliever...I left a lot of my frustration and few tears along the course. I cried when I got my medal. When I got home I hung it up in my room to remind me that I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me.
Sunday, August 25
Great talks in church today - recapping what we learned at our special stake conference last week. Much about struggling, growing, and bringing forth good fruit. Lots of food for thought.
On the way home from church, J notices that the biopsy sites on my neck are green today. Lovely.
I went to choir practice. One of the risks of this thyroid surgery is damage to your vocal nerves. Most people are hoarse for a few days or weeks...once in a while it is permanent. This might be the last practice I attend for a while.
Monday, August 26
First day of Kindergarten. E is nervous, but when she gets off of the bus she tells me that it was "The best day EVERRRRRRRRR!" I'm so glad.
Tuesday, August 27
My bosom is a bright shade of chartreuse...healing bruises are colorful.
I spend the morning in the temple with two of my friends. I feel at peace. I am confident that in the long run, I am going to be fine. I feel like the near future is going to be a bit of a bumpy ride.
In the afternoon, I read my breast biopsy results online. Hmm. Atypical cells. Nuclear enlargement. Hyperchomasia. Nueclear pleomorphism. Surgical biopsy recommended. I call my mom and she and I look up words together. We get the general idea. I hope that the doctor's office will call tomorrow and explain what this all means in laymen terms. I wait.
Wednesday, August 28
I decide to call the doctor myself...I only speak with office people, but they get me a referral to a surgeon. I call the surgeon's office. The lady on the phone tells me that their first open appointment isn't until next Tuesday. I explain my situation and she transfers me to Jackie who says she will talk to the doctor herself and see what she can do. I wait.
I take B to speech. I pick up copies of his homework to leave with my sister when B goes to visit. We discuss his speech goals and finish his IEP over the phone. I wait.
Late in the afternoon Jackie calls me back. She says that Dr. A is on call on Friday and can see me at noon. We'll talk about my results and what is next then. She tells me to keep my surgery for Tuesday and they will try to work something out with Dr. K's office. I am so grateful. I'm sure it took her all day to work out the details.
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