17 August 2009

man, it's been a while!

On my last post I think I promised to blog about our fun family reunion, but then things got weird and I didn't do much at all.

After the reunion my mom and dad took the three older boys back to their house in Spokane. It was going to be 10 days with just Luke and Dan. Then Dan had to go out of town. So he was there for the weekend, left for 5 days, there again for the weekend. Can I just say how easy 1 kid is compared to 4? So easy! And then we left to meet the kids and everyone else in my family (except 1 brother and fam) in Lincoln City, Oregon.

I was going to get so much done! We were going to finish the fence (then Dan had to go), I was going to paint the trim and ceiling in my room (which was done very badly when we moved in and is hard to look at when I'm lying in bed), I was going to paint the stairwell, paint the front door, do all kinds of things, but then . . .

I went to the OB for a routine check up. He found a tumor in my thyroid. I ended up spending most of the time worrying and going to the doctor. I had a biopsy and an ultrasound. The biopsy results came back Friday morning (right when Dan was getting back.) This is what the doctor said,

"Biopsy came back highly suspicious, most likely cancer. But don't worry, it has a 98% cure rate."

I tried not to freak out, but it was hard. Cancer is scary. But there are also LOTS of cancer survivors. I spent the rest of the weekend looking up thyroid cancer. There are 4 kinds, 3 of which (99% of the cases) are nearly 100% treatable. They still don't know which kind I have or if I even have it. So as far as I know I am having my thyroid removed and biopsied while I'm in surgery. Then they will know what we're dealing with.

I've felt much better about everything after the break in Oregon, and after doing some research and after having 2 blessings (one from Dan and one from my Dad). I've also changed doctors. I asked all the doctor friends/med students/people who've had this surgery before and they all told me about the same doctor. He only does head and neck cancer surgery. So he's good. And nice. I have an appointment with him tomorrow morning. I believe we will get a surgery scheduled then.

I don't know how many of you even made it this far! But I just wanted everyone to know what's going on. And I want you to know that I think everything's going to be fine. And I may or may not be blogging for the next little while, but it would probably be better to do some projects so I don't sit here worrying and doing nothing.

11 comments:

Brit said...

oh leigh! I'm so sorry to hear about that! I'm a big worrier too so I could just about imagine how you must feel right now. I actually have 3 friends that have gone through this and one that actually is going through treatment right now. Here's her blog and she talks all about it. It all started a year go I think so check her archives. http://fisherfam1.blogspot.com/
Keep us posted on how you're doing!

sara said...

I'm so glad for the update. Let me know when your surgery is scheduled for okay?

Jocelyn said...

Wow, Leigh! I know you haven't heard from me in awhile, but I just wanted to say I read your post and hope you are doing well! I would have reacted exactly the same way. I hope your new doctor helps you get it all figured out!

Pants said...

Oh Leigh, I'm sorry! What a whirlwind of awful news, but you are right, you will be fine and totally get through this. I will keep you in my thoughts, let me know if there's ANYTHING I can do. xoxoxox

josieposie said...

Ditto Brit. I have a friend who had this and is fine... on thyroid meds but is just fine. It stinks that you have it but think of all the worse cancers out there that it could have been. Now get busy doing something you love to do - sew! Take care - jos

polka dots said...

i am thinking of you. please up date every so often.

Karen said...

Prayers from Texas. We love you. Let us know when the surgery is.

b.rad said...

You will be in our prayers.

The Aussie Elmers said...

We will keep you in our prayers. We love you!!

Stephanie said...

Whatever happens: cancer, surgery, treatments, or false alarm, we love you Leigh.

ang said...

i hope that everything goes as planned so you figure out what's going on. please let us know if we can do anything to help long distance. you are amazing!