The Fun is Over Folks, or Maybe Just Beginning?

The Tuesday after we returned from New York I went in for thyroid surgery. Back in April I went in for a routine visit to the gyneocologist. She asked me if I had problems with my thyroid, I said I didn't think so. She ordered some blood work and an ultrasound. I was hoping if anything was wrong that I would be hypo-thyroid and I would be put on meds and lose all this weight. My blood work was fine. I almost cancelled my ultrasound, thinking it was unnecessary, but I didn't and I went. I seriously thought nothing was wrong, until the tech told me I had a growth on my thyroid.

After my ultrasound I made an appointment to see an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, Dr. Keyser. He said it could be a few different things and that I needed a biopsy. I had to wait 3 weeks for the biopsy. I had the biopsy and it came back saying it was a tumor, and that it had abnormal cells in it. It might be cancer, it might not be. So we were left to wonder. My Dr. said it needed to come out and had me schedule a surgery.

After we got back from NY I had the surgery. The idea was that they would take out the half of the thyroid that had the tumor on it and then send it to the pathologist to do a frozen section to determine if it was cancer. When I woke up they told me they had only taken out the one side. I seriously hadn't thought I had cancer until then. When I woke up I knew I had it. Kevin told everyone I didn't have cancer because they hadn't taken all of my thyroid out. When the Dr. came to talk to us he said we didn't know anything more than we did before the surgery; we still had to wait.

Also during my surgery my Dr. nicked a nerve going to my vocal cord. Apparently it curved differently than most people. As a result I am hoarse for the next 3-6 months. I sound like I have laryngitis. I can't yell or even raise my voice. The girls are loving it. It's getting a little better though.

The day we got home the Dr. called and told us the pathologist thought it was cancer but wanted another opinion. The next day the Dr. called and confirmed it - Cancer.

Surreal. That's how it felt. Like I was in a nightmare and the Dr. was telling me I had cancer, but I would wake up and it would be a dream.

I had a little breakdown. All through this I was so positive. But I lost it now. I had cancer and a scratchy voice. Also I had to go back in for another surgery to remove the rest of my thyroid; yep I lost it a little bit.

One thing I did have was an amazing husband who was with me through it all, being my rock. He was and is fabulous. I am so glad to this strong man standing beside me. I have the best family. They called, visited, and sent things. My mom came and watched my kids for me and helped me recover. She ordered me to bed when I got up. She made me eat a little bit when I didn't want to. She cleaned my house and kept my girls happy. I have the most amazing friends who watched the kids for us, brought us meals, treats, books, flowers, things for my kids. They are amazing. Thank you. This stunk but through it all I've felt loved, and that is a blessing.