through the woods

these past two months have been the scariest I've had in a long time. but, I made it through! I felt calm going into surgery which was shocking. and the first thing I heard when I woke up was the nurse canceling my room for the night and explaining that I would be going home. I immediately starting grabbing my neck to make sure they had gone through with it. that was a mistake. grasping a fresh incision is never a good idea. it was there alright and I then realized how hot I was and began kicking. everything was hazy and strange... and then I was wheeled into a tiny room where my family was waiting.

turns out the surgery was only two and a half hours instead of four because when my surgeon got in there he found a pretty healthy thyroid rather than a cancer-ridden one. so, he only took the right lobe and tumor and then closed me up, sent the tumor in for more testing and sent me home.

recovery hasn't exactly been a bowl of cherries but it has been a lot easier than I expected. after a few nights I got used to the pain that came with every toss and turn and I eventually found bandages that didn't try to eat the skin off my neck. Tylenol kept most of the pain away and the worst part was being so extremely tired and weak. but, it's been two weeks now and I'm back into the swing of things and feeling pretty normal.

I had my follow up with Dr. Sharma yesterday and he went over the results of the more detailed testing they did on the removed right lobe of my Thyroid. turns out the amount of cancer in the tumor was so miniscule that there is no chance it spread! so, I am left with a functioning Thyroid and no need for any chemo or iodine treatment! great news all around! the incision is healing pretty well, but there was a stitch knot sticking out that he removed for me. it's longer than I imagined it would be, but the scar will hardly be noticable when all is said and done.

my hormones do seem to be suffering. be careful everyone - I'm moody and a little emotional. in four months I will go in for more testing to see if I need medication to balance my THC levels but for now, everything is good. life goes on. a HUGE weight has been lifted. I am healthy again!

I can't even begin to thank everyone enough. I got so many flowers and cards and visits and prayers and calls... I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and family! thank you all so much!!! I hope I can repay you all somehow...