I have cancer

I've thought long and hard whether or not to write this post. I thought about how public I wanted my health issues to go and then I remembered Lily's battle 5 1/2 years ago. I know the best way to keep others updated was through my blog. I also found the power of prayer through those who followed and supported us.  I also decided if I can get one person to really look and listen to their body and see a Dr. for anything abnormal then this will be worth it. So here it goes....

I have cancer. It has taken me 6 days to say it without crying. I am 31 years old. I have been diagnosed with Papillary Carcinoma, Thyroid Cancer. This cancer has a high survival rate. It also has a high re-occurrence rate but that is something to worry about later. Right now what we are struggling with is the unknown and how long I have had my cancer.

Here is my story. In October 2012 I had a tooth die on me and needed a root canal and crown. As a Dental Hygienist, it seems like I would have been on top of this tooth. It was so necrotic when Dr. opened it up to do the root canal that we had to temporize it and come back to it which ended up being about a month later. I developed a large, swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck.

It wouldn't go away and it wouldn't go down in size. I became worried about it. I decided to make an appt with an ENT and had him look and feel my lymph node in January 2013.  He told me it was fine and acted like I was a little silly for worrying about it. He did run my blood and I was then diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis which is an autoimmune disease where my body attacks my thyroid. I developed this because 1. I have a history of thyroid problems in my family and 2. because I had Lily. Being pregnant set this all into motion. I was told many times if I was going to have an autoimmune disease then this was the one to have!

He referred me to Dr. GeZerbe, endocrinologist in Boise. 

In February 2013 Dr. GeZerbe scanned me and said all the cysts looked fine. She also looked at my swollen lymph node and acted like I was silly for being worried. She said it was nothing. 

Then I got pregnant with Paige. I was healthy now, my thyroid levels were somewhat normal and we monitored them throughout my pregnancy. I had Paige, I nursed her for 10.5 months. I write all of this because every time you have a baby and nurse your hormones fluctuate. From what I have read, this all comes into play with how this can start to develop.

So that brings us to today. I've never been able to get my hormones straightened out since I quit nursing. I am constantly having blood tests and I decided it was probably time to get scanned again. I got an order put in from my Dr. here in Twin and we ultra-sounded me in Gooding. The Radiologist who read my scan was a little suspicious of a node on my thyroid but really was interested in my same lymph node on the side of my neck. They ordered a biopsy. We did it just as a precaution. In no way shape or form did we think the word cancer would come back.

I had my biopsy done on May 15, 2015 and on May 18, 2015 while I was at work I received the call from my Dr. confirming that all 3 areas they tested were cancer including my lymph node we have been concerned about for years. I was a wreck with the news and had to go home. It was one of the hardest nights of Curtis and I's life. We were devastated and started playing the what if game.

So now what? We initially weren't going to be able to get into the ENT until June 16 but my awesome sister in law was able to call in a favor and I have an appt May 28, this Thursday. 

Course of treatment will depend on what stage of cancer I am. I know I will have to have surgery and Radioactive Iodine. After that, who knows. If we caught it early then this is all so manageable. If I've had it for 3 years then I really am not sure.

Here is what we need....PRAYERS. Please pray for my family. Pray that my cancer is only in the early stages, pray for my sweet husband who is going to have an enormous responsibility put on his shoulders, & pray for my children that we can keep things as normal as possible. 

I am beyond grateful for the prayers I know we have already received. I am thankful for my friends & family who have come and spent time with me and listen to me talk it out. I am thankful for the treats and small gifts to lift my spirits. The good in people never cease to amaze me. We had so many blessings when Lily was in the NICU and already I am seeing the blessings we are receiving in such a short time. These are the things that keep us going. 

Stick around for our journey. I have a feeling it's going to be quite the ride. We are keeping the faith and enjoying the little things in life. It's amazing how quickly your perspective changes.

If you have any questions about something going on in your own health then I strongly encourage you to see a doctor. Be your own advocate. I should have been more aggressive 3 years when they weren't worried. A biopsy is not a big deal and can give you peace of mind. 

More to come...