Well I have a follicular neoplasm in my throat. That means my thyroid contains atypical cells and no one is sure if they're malignant or not and they can't tell unless they take them out. So I'm going to have the left side of my thyroid removed. It's all scheduled, pre-authorized with the insurance company and I'm pre-registered with the hospital. All I have to do now is fill out the living will and advance directive. I'm not looking forward to that.
I know exactly what I want to be done with my body if the big "What If ..." happens but I don't like thinking about it. Paul and I talked about it a lot when he had surgery last year. I've talked about it with Jenn and Caleb and Lance, too. I've talked about it a little with Mom and Dad. I'm confident that everyone who matters will make sure that my wishes are honored if and when that time comes. But putting it into writing is just different. It's so final. I guess that makes sense -- they're final wishes. I know I can change it if I change my mind, but as of September 15 at 1:30 pm it's Final until I wake up. I think that's the thing that has me on edge -- that this could be Final. It's not likely to be, but it could be.
Wow, I'm morbid this morning.
I'll be glad to have this over with. It's not like my thyroid has been a huge source of worry and pre-occupation for me but it will be nice not to have to think about it at all any more. No more biopsies, no more ultrasounds, no more anything. Just get it cut out and be done with it.
The surgeon is of the opinion that I can probably avoid thyroid replacement hormones. I like that. I don't want to mess with them, with mood swings or hair loss or temperature intolerance or weight gain. The surgeon and the endo both think that since my left side is not normal at all the right side is compensating for it and can probably continue to do so. Neither of them think we need to do anything with the right side -- it's perfectly thyroid-ish and not at all nodule-ish. Yay for that, huh?
So there it is. After 31 years of no surgeries, almost no scars and being hospitalized only for childbirths, I'm going to have A Thing. A Surgery. A Story.
4 comments:
We will be praying for you next week, for good results, for minimal anesthesia to do the job, for rapid recovery, for no need for synthroid meds, for keeping the right side thyroid, and for plenty of ice cream to care for any sore throat. You go girl!!
You are strong, determined and independent so more power to you. You and Paul each have a good thing and so do your kids. Write on (Right on!)
best of luck. i hope it all goes smoothly and you have a speedy and uneventful recovery. {hug}
Me and G.P. will be praying for you and sending our love your way. will look forward to hearing that all is well. HUGS & KISSES.
G.M.
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