1 Month Cancer Update!

It has been almost a month since my surgery to remove my thyroid.

Whew, what a whirlwind of events!

The best news ever was at the doctor when I learned I am cancer free! There are no signs of cancer anywhere in my lymph nodes and it was contained in the thyroid! Praise God for answered prayers!

Dr. Morgan said when he went to take my thyroid out it was classic hashimoto’s and my thyroid just happen to be growing cancer in it as well.

He said he was surprised I didn’t have any symptoms with the hashimotos and that I felt good that whole time I knew I had nodules on my thyroid.

I truly believe God spared me from feeling all the side effects of the hashimotos and that finding the cancer was a blessing in disguise?!?!?

My thyroidectomy was my first time to have a major surgery. I was definitely in God’s hands because I never once had fear or a nervous stomach or anything the day of my surgery. I knew I would be okay.

Surgery took longer than expected because of how “messy” the thyroid was. It took me a lot longer to wake up in recovery than they originally thought as well. Chris said the doctor said they would be able to see me within an hour after he talked with them, but it was actually closer to 2.5 hours before they were able to make it back there with me.

Dr. Morgan had to take some of my parathyroids out during surgery also so the key for me being able to go home the day of my surgery was if my calcium levels were good or not. When I woke up they told me they already knew my calcium numbers were perfect and I was able to go home as soon as I drank and went to the bathroom.

I immediately drank and went to the bathroom so I could LEAVE and go home.

The downside of coming out of anesthesia was that I threw up so much. I threw up after I got dressed and ready to go home and again on the car ride home. Poor Chris and my mom who had to deal with me and this!

I don’t remember that day very much, I was really out of it from the anesthesia. I know my sister came to my house and brought me tons of food and flowers and balloons. But I don’t remember if I talked with her or my mom or not. I also remember I was SOOOO excited to finally see the girls (we made them go to school that day to keep their schedule normal and not worry), but I don’t remember any of the conversations I had with them.

I was starving that night after I woke up from a nap and was finally able to keep food down and not throw it up so I knew the anesthesia was all out of my body. I ate pudding, a bowl of soup, and some donuts!

The next day at home I slept most of the day. My neck was so heavy feeling and tight, it was hard to get comfortable and lay my head the right way.

Every day after the second day of my surgery I got better and better. I am so thankful I was healthy other than the cancer and fairly young to where my recovery wasn’t bad at all.

I went back to school that next Monday after having my surgery on a Tuesday. It was so good to see all the staff and kids at my school. My heart was so happy and I received a million hugs that day!

However, I was exhausted after that first day back. I could tell I hadn’t talked or moved my neck much that previous week and I was sore.

It was weird how my neck felt with all that tape/glue on it. It took the glue 3 full weeks to finally fall off and my scar looks so much better now that everything is off of it. I bet by this summer you won’t be able to tell that I even had my thyroid removed. Dr. Morgan bragged on himself and said he did an excellent job on my neck.

So far the medicine I have to take every day (synthroid) has worked well. I can’t tell a huge difference in my body other than my temperature is more out of whack and also that I’ve gained 7 pounds since my surgery even though my walking and eating habits are the same pre-surgery.

I know it will be an adjustment period learning how to live with taking synthroid and not having a thyroid.

This was another bump in my road. I am going to use this test in my testimony that I get to share with others about how God took care of me.

Yes, it was a major surgery. Yes, it was a scary situation. Yes, I will look at life a lot differently now. BUT, God is good and faithful and I truly feel well!

My heart goes out to the cancer patients that don’t have it as “easy” as me. This has made me realize to have even more empathy for those that are fighting battles every day that we might not realize.

Here are some pictures that I want to have in this safe space to remember forever.

It’s impossible to name all the people that showed me love, but I am so grateful for everyone in my life!

I have a doctor’s appointment this week and will start my thyroid function blood tests to determine the level of medicine I need to be at to keep the cancer from coming back! I hate getting my blood drawn, but know it’s going to be my new normal for a while.

I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!