Back to School--Again

Monday, I went back to school again.  It was great to be back.  I had an excellent sub who kept the kids in line.  They were so happy to see me.  It was much better coming back this time because now I know my kids and they know my routine.  It was a much easier transition. 

Today is Thursday and they finally noticed the incision line on my neck.  One kid said--You have something on your neck.  I told him that is where the doctor fixed my neck.  So another boy said--The doctor cut your neck!  I said--Yes, but then he sewed it back together!  They were satisfied with that.  It was probably a much funnier conversation in person.

I feel great.  The voice is fine and holding up in work.

The Power of the Smile

The other day, I received an email about smiles.  It reminded me that I had wanted to write about this topic and never did.  I know that in a previous entry I wrote that I smile more now.  And that is true.  For a long time before I was diagnosed, I stopped smiling as much as I used to.  Everything seemed like such a big deal and I just didn't smile as much.

When I was sick and being treated, I tried to smile even when I didn't feel like it.  It let everyone around me know that I was OK.  A smile is like a gift to those around you.  It can take the worry away from those who love you, it brightens the day of strangers, and it makes you feel better about yourself when someone smiles back at you.

Now, I smile all the time.  And I notice that people notice it too.  Of course passing strangers will smile back.  In school, I've been called "smiley" and told that my smile will be missed while I'm gone by other teachers.  It is so amazing how people respond to the smile.  I know it may not seem like such a big deal to everyone, but it really is a gift to others.

 

Daily Reflections

If anyone is interested, the web site for St. Therese is now offering daily reflection email.  The link is:

http://www.littleflower.org/devotion/reflectionemail.asp

Endocrinologist appointment

Yesterday I saw the endocrinologist.  He went over my reports and agreed that only my right lobe needed to be removed and that no further treatment was needed as far as the cancer goes.  He did blood work to check hormone and calcium levels.  He told me that my left lobe is capable of producing enough thyroid hormone, but that they would leave it up to me if I wanted to take the thyroid medication.  They recommend taking it because if my left lobe is "working overtime" it will cause it to grow.  And if there is any potential for the thyroid cancer to come back this would increase the chances of that happening.  Taking thyroid medication would keep the gland quiet and reduce the chances of reoccurrence.  So that was a no-brainer!  I am taking the medication which is not medicine but just the hormones that your thyroid produces.

 

If nothing else, I am getting an education!  The only sister without a medical degree and I still need to learn all this stuff!  My next set of tests are the beginning of June and I see my lymphoma doctor again.  So, I can take a little rest for now.

 

I feel fine as far as the surgery goes.  My voice keeps getting stronger and the scar is healing nicely.  I go back to work in two weeks and before I know it I'll be off for the summer.

 

When I wrote a few days ago I was a little freaked out about the whole having two cancers thing.  Now my mood has flipped to-Wow, I beat two cancers in one year!  I read that thyroid hormone affects mood.  Maybe my left lobe kicked into gear in the past couple of days-ha-ha.  Now I'll be ecstatic on thyroid medication!  We'll see.

 

"Fall seven times, get up eight." - Japanese Proverb

Follow up w/surgeon

Today I went to Sloan Kettering for the follow up with my surgeon.  All is well, and the stitches are out.  He said it was a "micro cancer" meaning very small.  He does not need to see me for another six months.  Next, I need to see an endocrinologist to see about thyroid medication.  He seems to think that I will definitely need it. 

One question I asked was if this cancer was brought on by my treatment.  He said that it was purely coincidental.  It would have grown and years from now I probably would have shown signs of it.  It would have been a slightly bigger deal so it is very good that we found it so early.

And that's great but I really had an "Oh crap" moment today because now I have had two cancers!  I mean, I understood that perfectly last week, but today it really hit me.  And I really did not like it when it hit me.  Sometimes I wonder if I am too calm about all this.  But then I decided why be miserable, that won't get me anywhere either.  So, I will do what I've been doing all along-just keep on going.

I'm Home/Successful Surgery!

The surgery was yesterday morning and it went great.  They only had to remove the right side of my thyroid.  It was thyroid cancer but the nodule was so small (8 mm) that I need no further treatment-yay!  The surgery lasted about two hours from the time I went in to the time I woke up and I woke up well-no vomiting. I was up in my room 3 hours later and I was alert, able to walk, and starving!  They gave me a liquid meal and told me if I did well I could have solid food.  I ate it all.  Then I ordered salad, chicken marsala, rice pilaf, carrots, chocolate ice cream, yogurt, and pound cake.  And I ate it all!  So I'm fine.  This morning I ate a giant breakfast as well.  I ate french toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, orange sections, and yogurt.

 

I am in no pain, it just feels like a bad sore throat.  They gave me Tylenol with codeine if I should need it.  But so far so good.  I have had no pain medication at all since the surgery.  I can talk in a soft voice.  I am not allowed to hyper extend my neck or lift heavy objects for a month.  I can't drive until the doctor says it is ok.  The scar looks good and I am not freaked out by it which is great.  (I usually hate looking at scars.)  I have a follow up with the doctor on Monday the 24th.  There is a 50/50 chance of my needing thyroid medication and they will decide from future blood work.  I am still cleared to go back to work on May 15th.  In the future, they will monitor the left lobe through ultrasound to make sure everything is ok.

 

This is so funny.  Last night I had this terrible nightmare.  They told me that the thyroid helps in the digestion of chocolate and I would never be able to eat it again!  Not even chocolate flavored things!  It was quite disturbing.  Then I woke up to realize it was only a bad dream.  Thank goodness!  Pretty silly of me, I know.

 

That's all the news for now.  Thank you all so much for your love and support and as always your prayers.  Today the social worker visited me before my release and her job was very easy because I told her that I have the best support system in the world!

 

Surgery date change

I just got a call from the surgeon's office.  There was some kind of emergency today so they had to bump my surgery date.  Instead of Tuesday the 18th it will be Wednesday the 19th. 

 

I am fine with that because this has not been the best week for me.  Sixteen years of teaching and I never had pink eye.  Last Friday, I looked in the mirror to find my eye was oozing-yuk!  I had to get drops from Patricia's office.  Then Tuesday, I came down with a stomach virus!  So, an extra day to recuperate from that is fine with me.

 

Pre-admission testing was this past Monday.  I did well.  My pulmonary doctor was pleased with my x-ray and pft so she has released me from her care altogether.  Yay!  So, at least I am going into this in top form.

 

Oh, and I found out more about the surgery itself.  It should take about an hour and a half.  If they remove the right lobe only, it will be a one night stay.  If they remove it all, probably 2 or 3 nights because I would have a drain in my neck.  They decide by taking "frozen sections" and sending them to pathology while I am under.  So, I am hoping for the best. 

 

They told me I can eat whatever I want the day before.  I told them that they may find a 40 pound chocolate bunny in there!

 

Happy Easter to you all!