Thankful=)

On August 11th, I had to go in to have my entire thyroid removed plus about eight suspicious lymph-nodes. Tim and I dropped Micah off Wednesday night at Chris and Joanne's because we had to be up at 4 am to head to UCLA for my 7:30 am surgery time. I was a little nervous because I had never had a major surgery done before but God calmed my nerves and I just wanted it DONE!! The surgery took about three hours and by 11 am the Doctor came out and told everyone that the surgery went well and I would be staying over night because they had to get a few more lymph-nodes than they thought and I would be very sore but they wanted to be thorough and make sure they got EVERYTHING! Which I was thankful for! After I finally woke up after feeling pretty out of it, my neck and upper chest were very sore, but I knew the hard part was over. I was only sore for about five days and by the following Tuesday, I was feeling great. Today is Monday and this Thursday will mark two weeks post surgery and I have to say I'm doing pretty darn well. My scar is only about 1 1/2 inches and still has the bandage strips but those will probably come off in the next few days.

The surgery is done but I still have to undergo radiation. Luckily with this kind of cancer I don't have to do scans or chemo, I just have to be quarantined in a hospital room for three days while I take radioactive iodine pills to make sure they get those last few remaining cancer cells (if there even are any). As of September 7th, I have to be on a low iodine diet and as of 9/12 I have to be off of my thyroid medication to prepare for treatment. They have to make sure my hormone levels are low before I can start the radiation. This causes one to be extremely exhausted and fatigued among a few other temporary symptoms that won't allow me to work. If levels are where they should be I will be starting radiation on 9/26 and hopefully will be done and well by Micah's first birthday on 10/5. Micah will be getting a healthy mommy for his birthday.=) This sounds like a lot and I feel like I am prepared but I don't really know what to expect and I am just praying for peace through all of this and I am so excited to be cancer free and healthy!

I truly appreciate all of the prayers...please keep 'em coming and I will try to update as best as possibly as I go through this. God has a plan for everything and I know that He is making me stronger through what I am going through. Even though this is a VERY treatable Cancer, it's still Cancer and it's still scary but I know God is doing and will continue to do great things through this! And for that I am thankful!

God Bless!=)

MRI Results Are In...

This is Tim here letting you know the results of Erin's MRI scan done this past Monday...

God is truly being praised because the cancer on Erin's Thyroid gland is contained/localized to just the left side of of her thyroid gland and only ONE lymph node!!! During last weeks ultrasound we were informed that one lymph node was infected and that it didn't look like any of the others were, the MRI confirmed that it has not spread any further!!!! Praise God for not having any other nodes infected and not allowing the cancer to spread further!

Here is what the near future is looking like:

July 18th we are meeting with the Surgeon, Dr. Yeh, at UCLA to do an initial consultation and let him review the ultrasound images and MRI to determine if he wants to do another one to ensure he knows exactly what to expect in surgery. He will probably do another ultrasound just to see everything again.

Depending on whether he wants another MRI or not will determine when the surgery will be scheduled. If the Dr. decides the images we bring him are sufficient then he will schedule surgery shortly after our consultation with him (July 25ish) and if he does want Erin complete another MRI then it will be scheduled for the end of July to the beginning of August.

Radiation will be completed after the surgery is done and appropriate follow-up doctor visits take place to ensure proper dosage is administered.

Your prayers, facebook comments and emails have meant more to Erin than you will ever know! She is doing great, staying upbeat, positive and very confident in the fact that God is guiding the entire process. Knowing that this blog has been read over 300 times in less than a week has really added to and reaffirmed the love and prayer support we feel from everyone.

There will be another post when more information is known. Again, thank you all so much for praying with us through this time! We love you!

-Tim

Chapter One...the unexpected "C" word

You are never prepared to hear the "C" word, you never think it can happen to you. At least that's what I thought...Cancer? Me? God must have me and someone else mixed up. Doesn't God know I have a family to take care of and a job to do? That's what I thought when I was told I have Thyroid Cancer.

About two months ago, I just happened to feel a little bump on the left side of my neck. Wasn't quite sure what it was, I told Tim about it and he urged me to go get it checked out. I made an appointment for the next day and my Doctor had me get a Thyroid Ultrasound and also ordered blood work to test my Thyroid levels. She was concerned because I had explained I have had symptoms of Hypothyroidism (fatigue, weak, etc).

After having the ultrasound and seeing my primary doctor, I was referred to an Endocrinologist (specializes in the thyroid and throat areas) in Rancho Cucamonga. After reviewing the ultrasound the doctor informed me that a biopsy of my thyroid gland should be completed to tell whether cancer was present or not. We scheduled the biopsy, completed it and was told that the follow-up appointment would be July 1st. Thursday (June 23rd) Tim got a call at home from the Medical Assistant for the Endo. and she told Tim that the Dr. had the biopsy results and wanted to see me sooner than my original scheduled time of July 1st.....tomorrow at 2:45pm she wanted to see me....I knew when Tim told me all of this that I had cancer.

When meeting with the Endo I was told that I have a type of Thyroid Cancer called, Papillary Carcinoma. This cancer is VERY curable and operable...I just wanted it all to be done then and there and move on. =) She wanted me to have an MRI done on Monday June 27 and had already scheduled it for me. She wanted to make sure that the cancer didn't spread to the lymph nodes. I have an appointment Friday July 1st to get the results of the MRI and we will discuss surgery dates at that time.

Everyone says things happen for a reason and I believe this is true. In life, we experience many things and God only gives us what He believes we can handle...but Cancer? Does He really think I can handle this....I guess so!

When I first heard that I have cancer the song that came to mind is a song by Matt Redman called, "You Never Let Go". I have this one line running through my head all the time that helps me stay positive, "I can see the light, that is coming, for the heart that holds on. There will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes, still I will praise You, still I will praise You!!" The light for me is meaning cancer free!

Thank you for your prayers and support. I will be updating you all when more information is known. God is in control and He is taking care of me. I am just trying to stay positive. =)