brandon and sarah: The Good and Bad News (thyroid update)

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Good and Bad News (thyroid update)

You know, there's just something about an honest doctor. Dr. L might not be for everyone, but he's perfect for our family. I know I have to get on his nerves sometimes (I tend to interrupt him constantly), but he is quick to forgive and make jokes, and put me at ease...all the while being straight up honest.

Today he did tell me, "I already made you an appointment with our surgeon because, let's be honest, we want your business." HA! If he wasn't the best doctor I've ever had and one of the most genuine/funny people I've ever met (example: he's gave me his cell number when I was prego so I could just call him directly) I think that comment would have totally sent me running!

So anyway, that's (another) shameless plug for Dr. Vance Lassey. Seriously his practice is the #2 reason I will be sad to leave Kansas. The #1 reason (and the only other reason) is just the fact of having to move away from some close friends.

Moving on, Dr. L did give me a bunch of good news today:

1. Statistically speaking I will probably not need radiation (I-131)! I am so relieved because that would have meant some serious confinement away from my kiddos for over a week (4-5 of those days being complete isolation in the hospital).

2. They're only removing the right half of my thyroid so, again statistically speaking, the left side should pick up the slack and I won't need a hormone pill my whole life!

3. IT MAY NOT EVEN BE CANCER (yet)! Say what?! Yeah, you read that right... My results were "highly suspicious for papillary carcinoma" not definite. Regardless, my nodule is large, highly vascular, and if it isn't totally cancerous at this moment, it will most likely be within the next few years...so I might as well get it removed now while we have FANTASTIC insurance and before it spreads.

4. I don't have to stay over night in the hospital as long as there are no complications from surgery. In and out the same day! The surgery will most likely be next Thursday. I will know definitively tomorrow after I meet with the surgeon.

5. Dr. L is going to assist the surgeon.

6. There is a 95% five year survival rate with thyroid cancer (and after the first five years the statistics just keep getting better)

Here is a picture of the thyroid:

source

So some of the not-so-good news is:

1. The scar. My whole neck is getting cut open, people. Actually I'm not too stressed about this...but, really, who wants scars?

2. It's still surgery. That's scary. Things can always go wrong

3. The biggest risk with thyroid surgery is damage to the vocal cords. If this happened I could sound like a frog the rest of my life.

And that's about it...I can't think of any other negatives right now.

I'm feeling a lot better after talking with Dr. L. I've still felt peace since we found out, and I've felt like it would all be okay, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't scary! Just the word cancer is scary. I've hardly been able to sleep so I look forward to a good night's rest tonight.

Thanks to everyone for the support, prayers, notes, and phone calls. It means so much to me. I look forward to getting all of this over with, but until then it's great to know that so many people are here to help lift us up.

5 comments:

Shaina said...: Wow, Sarah--I don't even really know what to say or how to say it! You are a strong woman and a dear mommy. I'm glad your doctor ROCKS. I finally found a super-doctor here after a couple tries with not-so-super docs, so I totally agree that it makes SUCH a difference! What insurance do you guys have as the family of a student? I'm curious because Jeff recently had a little ambulance trip that we'll be paying for for the next year since he has no insurance. Get some rest and snuggle with your boys! I'll be thinking about you! (and praying); May 18, 2011 3:14 PM
Butch and Lydia said...: I know we've talked already today, but ironically the gal working at Curves this afternoon has had the right side of her thyroid out. You know I've never noticed her scar until she said something today. It's only about 3", and in a 'smile' like you mentioned. She also said she's not had to go on thyroid meds...she didn't know why, so I told her what Dr L said about the left side taking over all the work. Funny how just seeing her made my mother's heart feel better. The mental picture I had of the incision was so unnerving. We love you so very much, and pray for you and your family constantly sweetheart. Butch meant what he said about calling any time and we'll pack up and come. :); May 18, 2011 3:49 PM
Peter and Ashley said...: A scar is a battle wound! Wear it with pride! Though, as a disclaimer, I have been known to be self conscious about the one from my lymph node biopsy. Awesome doctors can make it or break it. Glad you found a great one! You are an awesome person, Sarah!; May 18, 2011 4:03 PM
Victoria said...: I'm bawling. I was so scared. I love you. I was so scared. God is real. Prayer works. The Priesthood is real, too. I was so scared.; May 21, 2011 10:56 AM
Felicia Martin said...: You should be careful when considering purchasing bovine thyroid on the Internet. Who knows, you might get one of those fake ones.; December 30, 2011 7:43 AM

The Things They Say

May 9, 2012- While waiting outside a McDonalds Payt asks, "What's that Mommy?" I am busy proofing one of Brandon's papers and just say that it's a store. He replies, "uh, that no store Mommy!" I say, "Oh, it's a restaurant, Payt." Payton then starts laughing like I am the silliest person ever. He says, "It's no rest-aunt, it's please nuggies room!" Payt calls chicken nuggets 'please nuggies' :)

March, April, May 2012- Payt has recently become a dirt-a-phob. He is constantly yelling for a "PAPE-A TOWEL" when ever the smallest thing gets on him. With his British accent he sounds so sweet and funny.

May 4, 2012- Me: "Payton, you do not yell at me!" Payton: "Only Daddy yell at Mommy?" Me: (a little stunned) "Umm, no. No one should be yelling at anyone." ...to be clear, Brandon NEVER yells, but it was a shocking reminder that we need to be careful with our tone around our little ones!

May 3, 2012- While playing in the bathtub Payt was holding a green plastic (semi transparent) scoop over his penis... Yes, I just wrote that... I asked him what he was doing, to which he exclaimed "Makin' my pee-nas geen Mommy!" I thought that surely I had heard him wrong, so a few minutes later when he did it again I asked again. This time he spoke even more clearly with a, "Look, Mommy! My penis is green!" Gotta love little boys!

Jan. 2012- We ate at Jose Peppers, where Payt got a balloon. Once in the car, he managed to get it untied from his wrist; thus when the car door opened out went his balloon. He was, of course, upset and wanted his balloon back. I told him that the balloon was going home to go to bed. Payt starts crying "I want my balloon. Jesus home. My balloon. Balloon go to Jesus home." haha. Earlier in the week he'd asked me where Jesus' home was and I said Heaven and pointed up.

Payt 1/18/12- while Payton was saying the dinner prayer Derek started babbling. Payton growled "my turn, Derek (which actually sounds like 'dang it'), my turn" then he returned to praying in such a sweet voice. Again, Derek talked and Payt screeched "MY TURN, DEREK!" and then sweetly returned to blessing the food.

Payt 1/17/12- I ask Brandon what he's doing, to which he replies "just farting around." Payt calls out "I wanna fart, too, B!"

Payt 1/15/12- passing the fire station on the way to church Payt says, "B, where fire gucks?" I say I don't know, maybe they're sleeping or out helping someone. Payt says, "No, they at store buy bandaids."

Payt 1/9/12- on the way to the doctor's office I ask Payt what doctors do; he replies "put bandaids on ouches"

Payt 12/11- Recently Payt learned the word "ouch" and "touch". Now, when ever he sees a razor he says, "No touch! Ouch, ouch!" and holds up his hand. For the longest time I couldn't figure out how he knew that, but then we remembered that almost SIX months ago while on vacation he got in my make-up bag and sliced his hand on my razor.