I told you they interviewed me :)
http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20130129/HEALTH/130129221/0/SEARCH#.UQhwn79EGSo
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Cancer, cancer, and more cancer
Cancer is everywhere. A day or two that will go by where I don't think about it, but it rears it's head almost everywhere I look.
For example: (spoiler alert to Downton Abbey fans)
I'm a Downton Abbey fan. I think the only people who aren't fans are those who haven't watched it yet. Even my husband volunteered to watch it with me, and he doesn't watch ANY of my shows! But, as I was saying... in Season 3's opening episode, one of the characters, a servant, feels a lump in her breast and heads to a doctor for testing. She and her friend are concerned that it's cancer. The doctor won't know for sure until he sends the samples out for testing, so we the fans get to wait a week to discover if she does or doesn't.
Seemingly innocent, right? WRONG. Even though I know this is a fictional tale, I could feel this character's agony, the pain of not knowing. It brought back the memories of first feeling my tumor and trying to live life as if it didn't exist. It was awful. And this week on the 2nd episode, when they revealed that the tumor was benign, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was THRILLED that the cancer plot would be dropped and I wouldn't be reminded of the disease every time I watched the show. In fact, I even considered NOT watching the show, just to avoid the memories it gave me... but just for a moment. ;)
Just yesterday I looked through a local newspaper scanning for things to do. What did I see? An article on a breast cancer walk. I was even acquainted with a person who helped organize it! And that got me thinking, "Why did they do a breast cancer walk? January is thyroid cancer awareness month, not breast cancer." And that set off a long train of thought on how I bet no one even knows it's thyroid cancer awareness month and what should I be doing? and blah blah blah...
Then today I see my endocrinologist. He looks all the paperwork over, tells me I have, "the most beautiful scar I've ever seen;" tells me that I was well taken care of by my surgeon, and schedules a body scan to determine if I'll need radioactive iodine (chances are quite good that I will.)
I take a look at this timeline and it doesn't start till February 12th. I have to stop my artificial thyroid hormone medication (meaning I'll be incredibly tired, cold, and gain weight just by looking at food.) I then start a special, low iodine diet (goodbye dairy and everything that comes in a box, can, or jar.) Then I get a blood test, then I see my doctor again, then I get a body scan, and if that scan shows what we think it will show then I get to be radioactive for a while. FUN FUN.
I knew this was coming, but I was hoping it would happen sooner. At this point, the iodine therapy (where I have to be isolated for 2 weeks) won't start until the end of Feb or early March. This means no scrapbook retreat, no celebrating Chris's birthday with him, and no Regional Festival of Life (youth event in Boston.) I am completely and totally bummed. So much, in fact, that I'm trying to get it all moved up. I can't push it back because my best childcare option (Chris's mom) isn't available in March. That, and I don't like the idea of cancer floating around in my body, especially with my sub-type.
So there it is. Cancer, cancer, and more cancer. At least I have good looking scars. ;)
For example: (spoiler alert to Downton Abbey fans)
I'm a Downton Abbey fan. I think the only people who aren't fans are those who haven't watched it yet. Even my husband volunteered to watch it with me, and he doesn't watch ANY of my shows! But, as I was saying... in Season 3's opening episode, one of the characters, a servant, feels a lump in her breast and heads to a doctor for testing. She and her friend are concerned that it's cancer. The doctor won't know for sure until he sends the samples out for testing, so we the fans get to wait a week to discover if she does or doesn't.
Seemingly innocent, right? WRONG. Even though I know this is a fictional tale, I could feel this character's agony, the pain of not knowing. It brought back the memories of first feeling my tumor and trying to live life as if it didn't exist. It was awful. And this week on the 2nd episode, when they revealed that the tumor was benign, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was THRILLED that the cancer plot would be dropped and I wouldn't be reminded of the disease every time I watched the show. In fact, I even considered NOT watching the show, just to avoid the memories it gave me... but just for a moment. ;)
Just yesterday I looked through a local newspaper scanning for things to do. What did I see? An article on a breast cancer walk. I was even acquainted with a person who helped organize it! And that got me thinking, "Why did they do a breast cancer walk? January is thyroid cancer awareness month, not breast cancer." And that set off a long train of thought on how I bet no one even knows it's thyroid cancer awareness month and what should I be doing? and blah blah blah...
Then today I see my endocrinologist. He looks all the paperwork over, tells me I have, "the most beautiful scar I've ever seen;" tells me that I was well taken care of by my surgeon, and schedules a body scan to determine if I'll need radioactive iodine (chances are quite good that I will.)
I take a look at this timeline and it doesn't start till February 12th. I have to stop my artificial thyroid hormone medication (meaning I'll be incredibly tired, cold, and gain weight just by looking at food.) I then start a special, low iodine diet (goodbye dairy and everything that comes in a box, can, or jar.) Then I get a blood test, then I see my doctor again, then I get a body scan, and if that scan shows what we think it will show then I get to be radioactive for a while. FUN FUN.
I knew this was coming, but I was hoping it would happen sooner. At this point, the iodine therapy (where I have to be isolated for 2 weeks) won't start until the end of Feb or early March. This means no scrapbook retreat, no celebrating Chris's birthday with him, and no Regional Festival of Life (youth event in Boston.) I am completely and totally bummed. So much, in fact, that I'm trying to get it all moved up. I can't push it back because my best childcare option (Chris's mom) isn't available in March. That, and I don't like the idea of cancer floating around in my body, especially with my sub-type.
So there it is. Cancer, cancer, and more cancer. At least I have good looking scars. ;)
Monday, January 14, 2013
Is today the day?
Pennsylvania state law says that a child must live in your home for 6 months before you can file for adoption. Today makes 6 months and one day since 2 amazing children entered my home. (Reminder-I can't post their names publicly.)
Today is also the day that I could lose them. A permanency hearing is scheduled for 3:00 this afternoon. It is expected to take about 4 hours, because CYS and the paternal grandmother are in strong opposition as to what is best for the kids.
If the judge rules in favor of CYS, I can file to adopt the girl and begin adoption prep for the boy. If the judge rules in favor of the paternal grandmother, I may never see them again. The judge could also decide to give the paternal grandmother more time to prove that she is able to care for the kids. This would mean more uncertainty for all. And, as we all know, waiting is the hardest part.
I covet your prayers that 1.) the hearing actually happens. It has been post-poned twice already. 2.) that the judge would rule in favor of CYS and we can officially begin our "forever family." 3.) for peace and comfort for everyone involved.
It's going to be a long day, but I know that whatever happens, God is with us.
Today is also the day that I could lose them. A permanency hearing is scheduled for 3:00 this afternoon. It is expected to take about 4 hours, because CYS and the paternal grandmother are in strong opposition as to what is best for the kids.
If the judge rules in favor of CYS, I can file to adopt the girl and begin adoption prep for the boy. If the judge rules in favor of the paternal grandmother, I may never see them again. The judge could also decide to give the paternal grandmother more time to prove that she is able to care for the kids. This would mean more uncertainty for all. And, as we all know, waiting is the hardest part.
I covet your prayers that 1.) the hearing actually happens. It has been post-poned twice already. 2.) that the judge would rule in favor of CYS and we can officially begin our "forever family." 3.) for peace and comfort for everyone involved.
It's going to be a long day, but I know that whatever happens, God is with us.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Half way there
A small miracle occurred over the last two days. I had two doctor appointments and didn't cry after either one of them! Ha ha! Imagine that, no bad news!
Today was the follow up with my surgeon. She said the pathology report confirms that I have the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid cancer, but that the sclerosing is mild and there is little inflammation. This is good because it means the odds of radioactive iodine wiping out any remaining cells is very high.
I will see my endocrinologist a week from now and he will decide when I'll take the iodine and if any other treatments are needed. Hip hip hooray and thank you, God for some relatively good news on my health! Yippee!!!
Today was the follow up with my surgeon. She said the pathology report confirms that I have the diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid cancer, but that the sclerosing is mild and there is little inflammation. This is good because it means the odds of radioactive iodine wiping out any remaining cells is very high.
I will see my endocrinologist a week from now and he will decide when I'll take the iodine and if any other treatments are needed. Hip hip hooray and thank you, God for some relatively good news on my health! Yippee!!!
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