My next journey...

I have sleep apnea. And frankly I hate it! I have to wear this lovely mask when I sleep that is quite attractive let me tell you! A few weeks ago I went to see my sleep doctor with the intent to discuss having my tonsils out and any other options so that I would not have to wear the mask. The surgery could possibly help the apnea, but there were no guarantees that it would take it away completely. She wanted me to see an ENT to get his opinion on surgery since he would be the one doing it.

So..I went to see my ENT. He basically left the decision up to me if I wanted to have my tonsils out. It would help the constant sore throats I get and would open up my airway a little bit more. During that appointment he felt my neck and felt a lump on my thyroid. He very casually said I needed an ultrasound to check it out.

After the ultrasound I got a call saying I would need a biopsy. At that point I started to get a little more concerned but I was told that 95% of people who have this, it is benign. The biopsy was a little scary because they had to take 4 samples out of my thyroid. I had to lay very still and not swallow! It went very well and I think they were able to get what they needed. This happened on a Monday and they said I should know by Thursday or Friday.


On Tuesday I took Eliza for her 1st Ballet class! I was a little bummed that we could not go in to watch. She looked so cute in her tutu! This seems like hard-core ballet because I heard the teacher say to another girl "We don't talk to our friends during ballet class.". As I was waiting, the ENT office called. I knew that it probably wasn't good news.

Actually, I wasn't all that shocked when the nurse told me it was cancer. Even before the biopsy, the Lord was telling me that this was going to be a journey. I knew in my heart that it was going to be positive. Granted, standing outside at a ballet class is not the best place to receive news like that, but I don't think there really is a good place!

I actually am still numb and I'm not quite sure how to process it yet. It doesn't seem real in a way. It seems like this happens to other people and I just hear about it. At 32, how can I have cancer?? It feels weird to even write it...


So...I am having surgery on April 15th. I'm not sure of the time but it is a 2 1/2-3 hour surgery. They will take out the entire thyroid and then examine the cells to see what they are. They think it is papillary cancer which is the most common. Afterwards I would also have to have an iodine treatment which is a form of radiation. It is a pill and it kills any cancerous cells that could possibly be left inside. A downside to that is that I would be radioactive for a few days! I would have to stay away from people and wipe down everything I touch!

A few of the cells from my blood work showed signs of possibly being medullary cancer. If that is the case, they would also have to take out the lymph nodes around the thyroid. This is a more extensive surgery.

We did tell the girls a little bit about what is going on. Adrianna prayed for me right after and said "Dear Jesus, please heal the hump in mommy's neck!".

I explained a little bit more to Eliza tonight and bless her heart she started to cry! She was afraid they were going to take off my entire neck! She said "Are they going to put it back after they cut it off?"! I just told her that I have a sickness inside and they are going to take it out. She seemed to understand that a little bit better!


Shawn is doing okay. He is always so optimistic! He said at church tonight during the Saturday Easter service that he was filled with God's peace about this whole thing. I know I will get there too! Please pray for him too since he will have to still go back to work, take care of the house, and the kids, and not worry too much about me!


A VERY good friend of mine reminded me of what my life verse says. It is Psalm 27:1 but I encourage you to read it the whole chapter!

I am just resting in Jesus right now and He assured me today with the simple truth that he is my friend. What do friends do? They walk with you, they hold your hand, they lift you up, and this friend goes to the utter depths with you! I know He will be glorified in some way through this. At some point I will be excited to see what that is!

Please continue to pray for us. That the kids would understand and not be too scared, that the surgery would go well, and that we would continue to trust completely in our Saviour.
Thanks in advance for all of the prayers storming Heaven!