Hello everyone! My sweet, sweet Daddy drove me to Knoxville today to have the total thyroid body scan. It was so nice to be in the passenger seat, and just enjoy the trip there and back. I love to hear my Daddy's stories!
Thank goodness the weather that went through Tennessee yesterday has all passed us now. It was the worst weather event that Tennessee has seen since 1974! That was a year before we moved to Tennessee from Indiana. The last count that I heard was 129 reported tornadoes from this system, throughout several affected states! It lasted several hours with one storm after the next! It just wouldn't stop. Some folk in parts of Knoxville had hand-sized hail! Yes, Hand Sized! There are photos and video all over the Internet about it! Where I live, we had strong winds, heavy rain, thunder and lightning, but that is all, thank you, Lord! We never lost power! My directv was out most of the evening, so I listened to WIVK on the radio. They did an awesome job reporting the weather, as well as letting folks call in and give updates on what was going on in the surrounding areas. My prayers are with the people in Alabama where the worst devastation and loss of life happened.
I'll see the surgeon on Tuesday to get the results of this scan that I had today. I feel like it is going to be fine, as the fella who administered the test came back smiling and said that I didn't have to come back any more! I thought: "Yeah! You just told me that I don't have any more cancer in my body!" I'll get the official word next week, and I can't wait!
My next weigh in is tomorrow. I'm just hoping that I maintained the weight loss from last week. I don't really expect to lose any more, but hey, I lost 11 pounds last week! Maintaining that loss will be fine with me!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Murphey's Law
I was scheduled to have a nuclear scan yesterday, Monday. I got up early, got a shower, and was drying my hair when the phone rang. Considering it was 7:23 AM, I knew it had something to do with the test. Turns out that the medication that was necessary to perform the test was on a damaged plane in Missouri due to a tornado. So, the test was rescheduled for this morning. We have major storms nipping at our heals----not a good day to be away from home.
It didn't take long to realize that something was wrong after I got to the hospital this morning. Heads were together, the words 'thyroid scan' were being mumble all over, and a statement that left no doubt they were talking about me. There was a miscommunication between the Dr's office and the scheduling department at the hospital. The test that was ordered is only done on people who still have their thyroid gland. The test that I was supposed to have required a larger dose of radiation. After taking the capsule, I would return in 2 days and then have the scan. Long story short, the technician left no stone unturned until it was all sorted out, and cleared with the insurance company and I got the medication.
So, medication taken after a rather lengthy delay, and buddy, I'm ready to get out of there and go home! Not so fast! I turned my valet ticket in, and waited. And I waited. And I waited. Approximately 15 to 20 people came got their cars after me. I finally asked the fellas where my car was. An attendant who took my ticket, apparently never pulled my keys! (I'm pretty sure he was on his way to lunch, and just didn't want to deal with a car with a flat tire.) When my keys were pulled, there was a note attached that said I had a very low tire. I started to cry, because here I am: I'm still recovering from surgery, and I can't change a tire. I couldn't have changed a tire if I hadn't had surgery! I told them I didn't know what I was going to do. One attendant said that security would change my tire if it were flat. So, I felt a tad bit of relief. The joke was on me, when the attendants didn't call security, and told me that I would have to drive to the Pilot and air up the tire.
I made it to the Pilot and tried to get someone to help me. I was crying so hard, I could barely talk, but absolutely NO ONE would help me. I told them I didn't even know how to use the air pump and the girl simply said it takes quarters. OK! Good! It takes quarters, that tells me exactly how to use it! So I scraped up 4 quarters and loaded the machine, but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get any air to go into the tire. I had a melt down! I had to call Darin and asked him to come to Knoxville and help me. People drove by, and just looked at me as if to say, "Woman, you know you got a flat tire? You need to change it!" Where are all the good Samaritans in Knoxville? A motorcycle cop rolled up and asked if I had called, and did I need help, but before I could tell him that I didn't call, but I DID need help, dispatch told him where he was supposed to have gone, and off he went.
Darin finally got to me about 45 minutes later. He tried to get air in the tire, but apparently the tip that was supposed to be on the hose was missing. The only thing he could do was put the spare tire on. He had so much trouble trying to figure out the crazy jack. After about 35 minutes of frustration, he got the car jacked up, and got the tire off. But, when he was loading it into the trunk, the car rolled off the jack! It almost rolled into the front of Darin's truck, only missed it by about 2 inches! I was praying that God would send us a good Samaritan, but everybody just looked, and drove on. He was finally able to get the car back up, and put the spare tire on. I walked back to the Pilot, and asked a nice fella if he knew if there were a place nearby where I could get a tire fixed, and he told me how to get to Pep Boys. It was only about a mile away. Thank you Lord! I knew I couldn't drive all the way back home only going 45 miles per hour on the Interstate!
I sat in Pep Boys, and convinced Darin to go on back home and go on to work. He would be late, but not too much, I don't think. I sure appreciated all that he did, frustration and all. I suppose I waited about 45 minutes, and was told that my car was ready. Now, I only had about 25 dollars to my name, and I didn't know what I would do if I needed a new tire. But, the nice clerk told me that I had a leaking valve stem, and there would be no charge! Thank you Lord! Here was my Good Samaritan!
I've tried to look on the brighter side of most situations. If I get behind a slow car, forget something and have to go back home, get stopped by every, single stop light, then perhaps the Lord is sparing me of trouble that I could potentially be in up the road. I was really upset over the neglect of others to help another in need. In the end, I got what I prayed for! I believe herein is another lesson learned. God worked, just like he said he would----on His time, not mine! Thank you Lord!
There is a painful truth, however. Had I been a pretty little whisper of about 140 pounds, people would have been bending over backwards to help me! I know this and it hurts more than I can say.
It didn't take long to realize that something was wrong after I got to the hospital this morning. Heads were together, the words 'thyroid scan' were being mumble all over, and a statement that left no doubt they were talking about me. There was a miscommunication between the Dr's office and the scheduling department at the hospital. The test that was ordered is only done on people who still have their thyroid gland. The test that I was supposed to have required a larger dose of radiation. After taking the capsule, I would return in 2 days and then have the scan. Long story short, the technician left no stone unturned until it was all sorted out, and cleared with the insurance company and I got the medication.
So, medication taken after a rather lengthy delay, and buddy, I'm ready to get out of there and go home! Not so fast! I turned my valet ticket in, and waited. And I waited. And I waited. Approximately 15 to 20 people came got their cars after me. I finally asked the fellas where my car was. An attendant who took my ticket, apparently never pulled my keys! (I'm pretty sure he was on his way to lunch, and just didn't want to deal with a car with a flat tire.) When my keys were pulled, there was a note attached that said I had a very low tire. I started to cry, because here I am: I'm still recovering from surgery, and I can't change a tire. I couldn't have changed a tire if I hadn't had surgery! I told them I didn't know what I was going to do. One attendant said that security would change my tire if it were flat. So, I felt a tad bit of relief. The joke was on me, when the attendants didn't call security, and told me that I would have to drive to the Pilot and air up the tire.
I made it to the Pilot and tried to get someone to help me. I was crying so hard, I could barely talk, but absolutely NO ONE would help me. I told them I didn't even know how to use the air pump and the girl simply said it takes quarters. OK! Good! It takes quarters, that tells me exactly how to use it! So I scraped up 4 quarters and loaded the machine, but no matter what I tried, I couldn't get any air to go into the tire. I had a melt down! I had to call Darin and asked him to come to Knoxville and help me. People drove by, and just looked at me as if to say, "Woman, you know you got a flat tire? You need to change it!" Where are all the good Samaritans in Knoxville? A motorcycle cop rolled up and asked if I had called, and did I need help, but before I could tell him that I didn't call, but I DID need help, dispatch told him where he was supposed to have gone, and off he went.
Darin finally got to me about 45 minutes later. He tried to get air in the tire, but apparently the tip that was supposed to be on the hose was missing. The only thing he could do was put the spare tire on. He had so much trouble trying to figure out the crazy jack. After about 35 minutes of frustration, he got the car jacked up, and got the tire off. But, when he was loading it into the trunk, the car rolled off the jack! It almost rolled into the front of Darin's truck, only missed it by about 2 inches! I was praying that God would send us a good Samaritan, but everybody just looked, and drove on. He was finally able to get the car back up, and put the spare tire on. I walked back to the Pilot, and asked a nice fella if he knew if there were a place nearby where I could get a tire fixed, and he told me how to get to Pep Boys. It was only about a mile away. Thank you Lord! I knew I couldn't drive all the way back home only going 45 miles per hour on the Interstate!
I sat in Pep Boys, and convinced Darin to go on back home and go on to work. He would be late, but not too much, I don't think. I sure appreciated all that he did, frustration and all. I suppose I waited about 45 minutes, and was told that my car was ready. Now, I only had about 25 dollars to my name, and I didn't know what I would do if I needed a new tire. But, the nice clerk told me that I had a leaking valve stem, and there would be no charge! Thank you Lord! Here was my Good Samaritan!
I've tried to look on the brighter side of most situations. If I get behind a slow car, forget something and have to go back home, get stopped by every, single stop light, then perhaps the Lord is sparing me of trouble that I could potentially be in up the road. I was really upset over the neglect of others to help another in need. In the end, I got what I prayed for! I believe herein is another lesson learned. God worked, just like he said he would----on His time, not mine! Thank you Lord!
There is a painful truth, however. Had I been a pretty little whisper of about 140 pounds, people would have been bending over backwards to help me! I know this and it hurts more than I can say.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 64 of Diet
Today is day 64 of my diet, and I have lost 51 pounds! But, I'm sure 4 or 5 will come back, because I haven't had any appetite since surgery, and I've had to force myself to even get 450 calories per day.
I saw the surgeon yesterday for a post-op visit. I can leave the bandage off now, and start applying vitamin E several times a day. Right now, the scar is looking somewhat keloidal. It's raised and bumpy and quite ugly. I hope it smooths out after some time.
The cancer was a stage 1 Papillary cancer. There were several other words with it, but I dare not try to quote them without a copy of the report to refer to. I have to have a nuclear test next week which will tell if I need any radiation treatment. I'd have to move out of my house, and in with my parents so that I could have a bathroom to myself, and be away from all family members. The radiation is shed through bodily fluids. I can't get within several feet of people, and will have to eat with all things disposable. Not to mention, I'd be leaving my house to my two sons who don't like to do anything close in appearance to housework!
I'll see the Dr again toward the end of next week to get the results. Please keep me in your prayers. I asked the Dr. if at sometime in the future, the lack of a thyroid could potentially cause me to gain weight, or make it difficult to lose weight, and he said that it wouldn't affect it at all. Just keep doing what I'm doing. Right now, I'm really struggling. I know I need to get more nutrients into my body, but I just can't eat. I don't think I've ever experienced any prolonged time of inability to eat. This is new to me, and to be honest, I don't much like it. Sure, the weight is dropping off, but will it stay off when my appetite returns as it were pre-surgery?
More and more people are noticing my weight loss. I had to go to the pharmacy today, and I ran into a dear friend whom I haven't seen in a while, and she commented on my weight loss. It makes you feel good when people acknowledge you hard work!
I saw the surgeon yesterday for a post-op visit. I can leave the bandage off now, and start applying vitamin E several times a day. Right now, the scar is looking somewhat keloidal. It's raised and bumpy and quite ugly. I hope it smooths out after some time.
The cancer was a stage 1 Papillary cancer. There were several other words with it, but I dare not try to quote them without a copy of the report to refer to. I have to have a nuclear test next week which will tell if I need any radiation treatment. I'd have to move out of my house, and in with my parents so that I could have a bathroom to myself, and be away from all family members. The radiation is shed through bodily fluids. I can't get within several feet of people, and will have to eat with all things disposable. Not to mention, I'd be leaving my house to my two sons who don't like to do anything close in appearance to housework!
I'll see the Dr again toward the end of next week to get the results. Please keep me in your prayers. I asked the Dr. if at sometime in the future, the lack of a thyroid could potentially cause me to gain weight, or make it difficult to lose weight, and he said that it wouldn't affect it at all. Just keep doing what I'm doing. Right now, I'm really struggling. I know I need to get more nutrients into my body, but I just can't eat. I don't think I've ever experienced any prolonged time of inability to eat. This is new to me, and to be honest, I don't much like it. Sure, the weight is dropping off, but will it stay off when my appetite returns as it were pre-surgery?
More and more people are noticing my weight loss. I had to go to the pharmacy today, and I ran into a dear friend whom I haven't seen in a while, and she commented on my weight loss. It makes you feel good when people acknowledge you hard work!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Complete Thyroidectomy--Thyroid Cancer
I am 4 days post-op from a complete Thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer. I was nervous going into the pre-surgery holding area, so I was grateful when the wonderful 'La La Land' injection finally went streaming through my veins! I remember the nurses positioning and stabilizing my arms, then realizing I was being rolled toward the elevators in the 'new' part of the hospital. I knew when the elevator doors opened that we were on the 4th floor, and they rolled me into a room with a glass wall---ICU. I remember the position of the nurses station, and immediately knew that I was in the same room that my grandmother was in after her massive stroke. But, I was OK with it. Thinking about it now, I could cry, but at that moment, I found it rather comforting.
After a few minutes, my family came in to see me, and they saw the confused look on my face as if asking why was I in the ICU? Mama told me that the hospital was full, therefore it was in overflow mode, and the ICU was the only place they could put me. Talk about a gigantic "WHEW!" Then I looked at the clock and saw that it was 6:30 PM, and I knew I went into the surgery suite at 1:15. One of my boys realized I was upset about the time, so they had to tell me that the surgery was a lot longer than expected. Mama told me then, that it was cancer, so the surgeon had to take the entire thyroid out.
Everyone had left the room when I felt the nausea coming on, and I knew I what was coming. I didn't have a call light, so I started banging on the tray that they had rolled up beside me, as I could barely make a hoarse whisper. A nurse finally heard me, and I told her what was about to happen, and she tried to get the "courtesy pan" and remove the goodies out of it, but she didn't get all the plastic off of it, so much of it went down the front of me, all over the bed, and the icepack. This is the first time in many years, since the addition of nausea meds and reflux meds have been administered before and after surgery, that I have gotten that sick from anesthesia. So they got me cleaned up and a new ice bag, a big dose of Zofran, and Lortab, and about an hour later, a shot of Morphine. This kept me comfortable for only about 3 hours. I couldn't have any more medicine for 3 more hours. Needless-to-say, I was miserable.
It's true what they say, the hospital is the worst place to be when you are sick, and need to sleep through it. I'm not like most people. The magnitude of drugs that they pumped into me should have knocked me out for hours! Not me, no, it has the reverse effect on me. But it wasn't the only thing preventing me from sleeping. Though the staff were good as can be to me, they saw to my every need, and did everything they could to see that I was comfortable, they talked as loud as they would in their own homes, even yelled to one another from across the ward! One nurse came into my room, when I had just dozed off, yelling something to the other male nurse in another room! I nearly jumped out of the bed! People are there because they are sick, and though it's not the staff's time to sleep, it is the patient's time to sleep! Why is this so difficult? Now, I'm at their mercy, so I don't say anything, because I knew I would continue to need help through the night. I just knew that no matter what, I was getting out of there they next day so I could get some sleep at home!
I slept well the first night at home. The pain meds were doing enough that I could sleep, but I was no where near pain free. The next morning, Sunday, I managed to watch a little bit of Liberty Baptist Church's broadcast on the internet. I couldn't sit up long enough to watch all of it, though. I had to lay back down. When I got up, I knew that I had a fever. So, I took some medicine, then got in the shower. The fever didn't come down. Chills set in next, making the pain I was in magnified by 100! So, it was a trip to the Hospital ER. They were very busy, and I understand this, but I layed on that hard gurney for nearly 2 hours before they did anything. My Mama had to go out and nearly drag the nurse in because I was having a meltdown, crying uncontrollably, fever spiking up, pain out of this world and a raging headache! The nurse finally drew my blood. They couldn't do anything until they got the results back, which took another hour. If they had only drawn my blood when I first got in there........
I was given a CT scan with contrast, don't know why, but an hour after that, I was told that it was clear. The only thing they found was a slight white count elevation. So they started me on a sulfa drug, gave me a shot of Zofran and a shot of Stadol, which made me high as a kite! But, my pain was finally gone! The boys said that I was saying crazy things, even refused to get into Darin's truck because I didn't think it was his truck. He said I pointed to Andy's truck, and said: "There's your truck!" I guess I was messed up!
All those drugs, you guessed it, no sleep that night for Wanda! I forced myself to stay awake all day Monday, so that I could sleep that night. It worked. I slept very well! I think I overdid it by talking so much yesterday. So, today, I'm going to try more voice rest, and see if my voice will return to normal in a faster manner. My voice is lowered about an octave! Folks, that is 12 half steps, or 6 whole steps on the piano! It's insane! Right now, I can't sing, not a lick! I have only about 3 tones to my voice. There is no rise and falls, just monotone. I surely hope this isn't permanent! When people call, they can't believe they are talking to me!
Thank you everyone, who has been so faithful to pray for me! I know that the Lord was holding my hand through this, and He hasn't let go! I praise Him! Your support through this ordeal has been priceless! Thank you Lord, for your faithful children, my brothers and sisters in Christ!
There is so much more to tell, but I'm exhausted from sitting here. More later.
After a few minutes, my family came in to see me, and they saw the confused look on my face as if asking why was I in the ICU? Mama told me that the hospital was full, therefore it was in overflow mode, and the ICU was the only place they could put me. Talk about a gigantic "WHEW!" Then I looked at the clock and saw that it was 6:30 PM, and I knew I went into the surgery suite at 1:15. One of my boys realized I was upset about the time, so they had to tell me that the surgery was a lot longer than expected. Mama told me then, that it was cancer, so the surgeon had to take the entire thyroid out.
Everyone had left the room when I felt the nausea coming on, and I knew I what was coming. I didn't have a call light, so I started banging on the tray that they had rolled up beside me, as I could barely make a hoarse whisper. A nurse finally heard me, and I told her what was about to happen, and she tried to get the "courtesy pan" and remove the goodies out of it, but she didn't get all the plastic off of it, so much of it went down the front of me, all over the bed, and the icepack. This is the first time in many years, since the addition of nausea meds and reflux meds have been administered before and after surgery, that I have gotten that sick from anesthesia. So they got me cleaned up and a new ice bag, a big dose of Zofran, and Lortab, and about an hour later, a shot of Morphine. This kept me comfortable for only about 3 hours. I couldn't have any more medicine for 3 more hours. Needless-to-say, I was miserable.
It's true what they say, the hospital is the worst place to be when you are sick, and need to sleep through it. I'm not like most people. The magnitude of drugs that they pumped into me should have knocked me out for hours! Not me, no, it has the reverse effect on me. But it wasn't the only thing preventing me from sleeping. Though the staff were good as can be to me, they saw to my every need, and did everything they could to see that I was comfortable, they talked as loud as they would in their own homes, even yelled to one another from across the ward! One nurse came into my room, when I had just dozed off, yelling something to the other male nurse in another room! I nearly jumped out of the bed! People are there because they are sick, and though it's not the staff's time to sleep, it is the patient's time to sleep! Why is this so difficult? Now, I'm at their mercy, so I don't say anything, because I knew I would continue to need help through the night. I just knew that no matter what, I was getting out of there they next day so I could get some sleep at home!
I slept well the first night at home. The pain meds were doing enough that I could sleep, but I was no where near pain free. The next morning, Sunday, I managed to watch a little bit of Liberty Baptist Church's broadcast on the internet. I couldn't sit up long enough to watch all of it, though. I had to lay back down. When I got up, I knew that I had a fever. So, I took some medicine, then got in the shower. The fever didn't come down. Chills set in next, making the pain I was in magnified by 100! So, it was a trip to the Hospital ER. They were very busy, and I understand this, but I layed on that hard gurney for nearly 2 hours before they did anything. My Mama had to go out and nearly drag the nurse in because I was having a meltdown, crying uncontrollably, fever spiking up, pain out of this world and a raging headache! The nurse finally drew my blood. They couldn't do anything until they got the results back, which took another hour. If they had only drawn my blood when I first got in there........
I was given a CT scan with contrast, don't know why, but an hour after that, I was told that it was clear. The only thing they found was a slight white count elevation. So they started me on a sulfa drug, gave me a shot of Zofran and a shot of Stadol, which made me high as a kite! But, my pain was finally gone! The boys said that I was saying crazy things, even refused to get into Darin's truck because I didn't think it was his truck. He said I pointed to Andy's truck, and said: "There's your truck!" I guess I was messed up!
All those drugs, you guessed it, no sleep that night for Wanda! I forced myself to stay awake all day Monday, so that I could sleep that night. It worked. I slept very well! I think I overdid it by talking so much yesterday. So, today, I'm going to try more voice rest, and see if my voice will return to normal in a faster manner. My voice is lowered about an octave! Folks, that is 12 half steps, or 6 whole steps on the piano! It's insane! Right now, I can't sing, not a lick! I have only about 3 tones to my voice. There is no rise and falls, just monotone. I surely hope this isn't permanent! When people call, they can't believe they are talking to me!
Thank you everyone, who has been so faithful to pray for me! I know that the Lord was holding my hand through this, and He hasn't let go! I praise Him! Your support through this ordeal has been priceless! Thank you Lord, for your faithful children, my brothers and sisters in Christ!
There is so much more to tell, but I'm exhausted from sitting here. More later.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 56
Here I am at day 56, and I have lost a total of 42 pounds! I am well pleased!
I attended the mandatory seminar last evening. It was definitely informative, however, I don't recall anything being mentioned that I didn't already know from all of my research and chronic YouTube video views! But, it is one more thing to cross off the lists of 'must dos' and still there are several more. I did find out last night that there may in fact be more 'must dos' before the surgery can be scheduled. I thought I may breeze by without having to see a cardiologist, but it turns out that it probably will be recommended. It's OK, I suppose, I guess I just wanted to hurry up and be post-op!
Tomorrow is my thyroid surgery. I am getting so scared. I feel like my 'insides' are jello, as if I am trembling. All I really want to do today is cry, but I have so many things to do, I don't have time to cry. I have to get Mama and Daddy's groceries, and I want to get to Kroger and get some Greek yogurt. A good friend at church told me about it, so I thought it may be good to have it one hand after surgery so that I can get more protein, if I have difficulty eating. I probably wouldn't be stressing so much, but I know what my Mama went through. Mama was in agony with pain in her neck. It was necessary to hyper-extend her neck during surgery, in order to gain access to the masses. Like my Mama, I have a terrible neck! I've had 2 whiplashes, and there is narrowing of the cervical spine that will one day have to be addressed surgically. I really dread what this hyper-extension is going to do to me. Dear Lord, please hold my hand through this and protect me and comfort me......
I attended the mandatory seminar last evening. It was definitely informative, however, I don't recall anything being mentioned that I didn't already know from all of my research and chronic YouTube video views! But, it is one more thing to cross off the lists of 'must dos' and still there are several more. I did find out last night that there may in fact be more 'must dos' before the surgery can be scheduled. I thought I may breeze by without having to see a cardiologist, but it turns out that it probably will be recommended. It's OK, I suppose, I guess I just wanted to hurry up and be post-op!
Tomorrow is my thyroid surgery. I am getting so scared. I feel like my 'insides' are jello, as if I am trembling. All I really want to do today is cry, but I have so many things to do, I don't have time to cry. I have to get Mama and Daddy's groceries, and I want to get to Kroger and get some Greek yogurt. A good friend at church told me about it, so I thought it may be good to have it one hand after surgery so that I can get more protein, if I have difficulty eating. I probably wouldn't be stressing so much, but I know what my Mama went through. Mama was in agony with pain in her neck. It was necessary to hyper-extend her neck during surgery, in order to gain access to the masses. Like my Mama, I have a terrible neck! I've had 2 whiplashes, and there is narrowing of the cervical spine that will one day have to be addressed surgically. I really dread what this hyper-extension is going to do to me. Dear Lord, please hold my hand through this and protect me and comfort me......
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