Currently…and Beyond!

Here is a quick update of my life over the last two weeks.

As I mentioned in my last post, I have a diagnosis of Stage 1 Thyroid Cancer. This is the most common type of thyroid cancer, with patients living long, normal, healthy lives. In fact, it is hard to pinpoint how many people in America, if not the world, have it because of the long life they live.

Two weeks ago, my doctor put me on a restricted, low-iodine diet. Basically, I could not have dairy, soy, fish, table salt, sea salt, red dye #3, really any processed foods, most any type of commercial baked product, etc. I could have a little amount of fresh meat a day, egg whites, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, kosher salt, oils, etc. This diet was going to be difficult because I LOVE pasta and I LOVE dairy. But, I knew I had to do it.

I also had to be off my thyroid medication during these two weeks. The major problem here would be this would make me tired, even to the point of exhaustion. The idea was my body needed to deplete itself of it’s iodine level, so the iodine I needed for a PET Scan would be accurate and subsequently any radioactive iodine for treatment would be able to do it’s job in my system. What is that job? It will basically kill off any remaining thyroid cells (normal or cancerous) in my system. Unfortunately, they may not see the full effects of the treatment in my body for 6 months to 1 year.

The first week was tough. I was completely changing a routine in my life (food and no medication), beginning to feel worn down and exhausted, my friends had just left for a new semester at college…it seemed all too much at once. The Wednesday of the first week I was borderline depressed, not wanting to eat anything, talk to anyone, or even get out of bed. It scared me how I felt.

I got up on Thursday (because I had to…I had to work). It just so happened the sun rise that day was STUNNING, which began a two or so hour long conversation with God. We talked about everything. Fears, desires, plans, health, friends, relationships, etc. It was great! My Father was totally meeting me at the Return desk at Lowe’s, gently hugging me in His arms, reminding me that everything was going to be OK.

Since that time, God has really been molding our relationship and revealing/reminding me of things that I have so desperately needed. My health is in His hands. If you have read this blog before, you know bits and pieces of where God has brought me from. There was no reason for me to start doubting Him now…NONE!

This test is slowly upon me. On Monday, I begin a 2 and a half day process (esentially) which will take pictures of my body to make sure these cells (cancerous) have not spread anywhere in my body. My doctor is confident that they have not, and he does not feel they have spread to my lymph nodes. Another great thing is being off my thyroid medication, I used to have tremors (shakes) in my hands uncontrollably. They have not returned, and even my heart has not been racing like I would think it could be. PRAISE GOD! I am even believing that after this test, the doctor’s may even tell me they couldn’t find ANY cancerous cells. If they do, then I am believing for a small dose of treatment to follow.

The treatment is called radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. It is a concentrated iodine pill which will kill the cells over a period of time. For 3-5 days after the treatment, I would be considered “radioactive” and would have to limit my interaction with the outside world. I would have to make sure I shower at least 3 times a day, wash my hands CONSTANTLY, use separate dishes/silverware, make my own food, etc. Basically, as the radioactivity leaves my body, it could have the potential to harm others around me (of which there is no one who would be high risk).

I will be posting updates on how I am doing right here over the next few days.

Also, today, my mother is having surgery due to a broken right femur bone and broken left ankle. She went to get up to go to the restroom at the nursing home, and her knees buckled, and she fell. She was in quite a lot of pain, and has a long rehab road ahead of her, but she will get through it…

I look forward to this week being over. The preparation for this test started off HORRIBLY, but has ended up so amazing! The first thing I am going to do once I am allowed to go back to a normal diet is to have a bowl of cereal (I have a pretty cool cereal bowl I have been yearning to use…LOL). It’s amazing the things you miss when you are limited in your diet!

I am also ACTIVELY pursuing college searches for a potential Fall 2011 enrollment to obtain my Masters in Pastoral Counseling. I will update you on the search as well as it has been awhile since I have been through this process.

A friend of mine recently reminded me of a verse in Scripture…Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” So true, and I cannot wait to see where He brings me next, even over these next few days…

Thanks for all the prayers, support, and encouragement. They have helped and been evident! Check back soon for an update on the test and the results!

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