Cancer Confirmed! Trusting God in all things...

Well, it is confirmed that the Thyroid did contain cancer on the Right Lobe but the left lobe was fine. Also, 2 lymph nodes that were removed indicated that a small amount of the thyroid cancer had spread to these lymph nodes.

The next step is to continue to monitor my calcium levels then return to my Endocrinologist to find out about doing Radioactive Iodine treatment (RAI). Based on research, I believe I'll be doing the RAI the end of October or early November.

At first I was very upset about having to do RAI especially since I was and still hope to breastfeed our adopted infant (assuming we adopt an infant). However, today, I think I've had a break through finding peace with whatever happens regarding the adoption and breastfeeding. I have discovered that it is OK to breastfeed as early as 6 months after RAI. There is also no guarantee that we will be placed for a child until mid to late 2009 which means I would be able to breastfeed.

This process is reminding me of the importance of trusting God with all aspects of my life. He is in control and really does know what is best for me, my health and my family. Peace is mine to have and accept when I put all my trust in Christ.

Pam

Home after Surgery

The Total Thyroidectomy is done! I no longer have a thyroid. Surgery went well but it was horrid staying in the hospital overnight. Sleep was, generally, not to be found! I didn't get much more than a total of 3 hours of sleep.

Today I was released from the hospital around 11am. We were hungery and decided to go to Bahama Breeze for lunch - Good News is that we found a wonderful restaurant! The food was excellent even though I wasn't able to enjoy the soup I ordered. The soup was very good but the "heat" hurt my throat when I would swallow. Now, I really enjoyed the Chocolate Banana Shake! Yummy... Felt wonderfully cool on my throat.

After lunch, it was time to go directly home and take a nap. I only napped for about an hour but it helped. I've been up for about 3 hours and feel good other than having a soar, achy throat. Sometimes it hurts to talk.

I'm glad to be home! Pam

Thyroid Surgery...

Today I met with a surgeon that specializes in Thyroid Surgery for a 2nd consultation. I have decided to have Dr. Faust do my thyroid surgery. From the moment he walked into the exam room I was very comfortable with him and impressed with how thorough he was in explaining the procedure to me. He also agrees with my endocrinologist that we should do a Total Thyroidectomy.

Now my next decision is where to have the incision on my neck.

Surgery is set for Friday, September 12th.

Pam

A Pain In The Neck!

Today was another exhausting day. This morning I had an appointment with an Endocrinologist that my Internist referred me to since he didn't feel comfortable prescribing Armour Thyroid in addition to the Levothyroxine. The appointment was with Dr. Julia Warren at Carolina Endocrine. I have to say that I was really impressed with Dr. Warren and instantly liked her. She was also very open to having me remain on the Armour Thyroid.

We discussed the Thyroid Cancer and her immediate response was to have a Total Thyroidectomy. After discussing the Thyroid Cancer with her in greater detail, we've decided that I should get a second opinion regarding the surgery with a Dr. Faust who is affiliated with Duke Medical. Dr. Warren isn't familiar with Dr. Catz and definitely felt I should see Dr. Faust for a second opinion also since he is a surgeon that specializes in Thyroid & Parathyroid surgery with a high success rate.

With today's appointment Dr. Warren also did another ultrasound to look at my thyroid specifically to measure the size of the nodule on the thyroid. Based on the size of the nodules, she said the size would possibly indicate Stage 1 to Stage 2 Thyroid Cancer. This was also an opportunity for her to look at the surrounding neck especially the Lymph Nodes. She did find one Lymph Node next to the right lobe of the Thyroid that looks to be enlarged and that she would recommend having removed.

Now... for the literal pain in the neck! She decided to do another biopsy. While doing the ultrasound she found a small mass that may be related to the thyroid so she decided to check it out to make sure it wasn't cancerous. If it is cancerous, it would also have to be removed which would mean the whole procedure would become a bit more complex since the small mass is on the lower left side of the neck near muscle.

I have to say that I'm really glad that my Internal Medicine Dr. sent me to Dr. Warren. We now pray that the small mass is not cancerous, that I can get in early next week for an appointment with Dr. Foust and that God would guide Mike and me with the decisions we need to make over the next few weeks.

Pam

Family Room Photos

Decorating our Home!

Well, Mike and I have been in our new home almost 5 months. We love our house and are definitely making into into our "own" comfy space. The only painting we've done is in the Family room and a portion of the Office. We painted the family room walls a Pale Creamy Yellow - Mike says it looks like "mustard" but it isn't that dark! Yellow is the Primary Color with a warm blue being the secondary color with darker red and warmer green as very small accent colors. I really do love the cozy and comfortable space that we've created. The hardwood floors are wonderful!

It is so easy to pick-up the animal hair off the floor. We plan to paint the 2 remaining walls in the office a Burgundy color to match the window shades.

Here are some photos taken specifically for the adoption process but people have been asking...

The Kitchen

I'm thinking of painting the kitchen/breakfast nook a warm apricot color to compliment yet have a light contrast against the family room but I haven't made up my mind yet and have also been considering more of an aqua blue (same color as the sofa) for the kitchen/breakfast nook.

The Dining Room

I love our formal dining room. My original thought was that a formal dining room was a "waste of space" but I've fallen in love with having a large area for family dinners or entertaining. No color has been formally decided on, but I'm leaning towards a darker blue below the chair rail with a light tan above the chair rail. We have a great black and white photo that I want to highlight.

The Big "C"

Well, it seems that the Big "C" is back in my life but this time it is the Thyroid. This past Monday, I received the news that it appears the nodule on the right lobe of my Thyroid is "highly suspicioius of Papillary Carcinoma."

Surgery is scheduled for September 10th and I'll be in the hospital overnight. The plan is to remove the right lobe of the Thyroid along with taking a small cross section or biopsy of the left lobe and if the pathology report is suspicious they will remove the left lobe at the same time. I'm of the frame of mind to have the Dr. remove the thyroid completely although I know that can make it more difficult to regulate hormones.

Since dealing with the endometrial cancer and now the thyroid cancer, I guess I'm not sure I want to leave even a small portion of thyroid in place because that leaves it open for continued cancer concerns with more surgery in the future. Not my idea of fun.

My prayer is that this will not have any effect on our moving forward with adoption. That is what really scares me, I've dreamed of being a mom for so long. Could the fact that I've had 2 forms of cancer (although the endometrial is technically consider "pre-cancer" and is easily cured permanently by a hysterectomy), put an end to our dreams of a forever family? I hope and pray not!

Pam

Twenty pounds lost and feeling great!!!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Pam and I have been on Weight Watchers for the past two months and I love it!! I have lost 20 lbs and Pam has lost 22 lbs in less than 60 days. I want to thank my wife for insisting that we start this plan with Weight Watchers at the end of April. I was skeptical at first, but it really has been great. I love the fact that the Weight Watchers online version has a recipe builder that allows Pam to select ingredients and portion sizes to calculate WW points. It is such an easy system. You will lose weight if you eat less than your allowed points per day.

I like the flexibility - the points system is based on calories, grams of fat and fiber. It rewards you for healthy choices and punishes you for non-healthy choices. Yet, even in this, there is freedom. You can choose the non-healthy option, but have a smaller portion. Or you can splurge occasionally and then eat lighter and healthier in the next few days.

One nice feature in the WW plan is the ability to have a (lowfat) dessert treat after dinner. Both Weight watchers and SmartOne's offer low fat ice cream treats.

Of course, both Pam and I started exercising regularly again since we have a fitness center with a pool in our subdivision. Pam is more aggressive than I am in exercising, typically working out almost every day. I try to work out at least 3 times a week.

I am half way to my goal weight of 150 lbs. Pam has longer term goals of losing even more weight and I am confident that we will both achieve our weight goals.

Randy and Lori, Pam's brother and sister-in-law are also on Weight Watchers and I look forward to hearing their sucess stories as well.

-Mike