Saturday, August 13, 2011

MD Anderson Update

On Thursday morning Frank and I got up early to go to MD Anderson. We had our first appointment at 8, and my scan at 9:30. After the scan is over they keep you in the room you have the scan, dressed in your hospital gown while they wait for the radiologist to go over the results. Then the radiologist gives you the clear to leave or if they want to look at anything further they would then do so. The tech came back in about fifteen minutes and said I could get dressed and that there was nothing new. I was so happy but had already felt like it was going to be fine, so I really was not worried. I walked out and met Frank in the waiting room smiling and he knew it was good news.

We had a while until our next appointment so we went to get coffee like we usually do and then went and checked in early for my next appointment in case they could get us in early. We got in the room and my doctors resident came in and told me, "So they found a 2X3X2 mm nodule in the left thyroid bed." My heart sank. I was taken completely off guard since I thought the scan was clean like last time. I hate the word NODULE as that is what my cancer was called until it was diagnosed during surgery. So I was trying to hold back the tears as I started to fire a round of questions. He assured me that he thought it was nothing and they just noted that it would be followed up with another scan and watched. But that my doctor would be in to talk to me about it. The resident left and I looked at Frank and lost it for a minute or two while we waited for my doctor. Then my doctor walked in SO BUBBLY and upbeat and told me NOT TO WORRY. She said it is so small that even if it were cancer and she tried to go take it out, she wouldn't be able to find it. But that it is NOT going to be cancer. She really thinks it's just a lymph node or scar tissue and that any other hospital wouldn't have even found it because it is so small- MD Anderson is just that good. It gave me some relief that she was so positive, but my worrying nature still goes against me. But deep down I think my doctor is right, it is probably nothing to worry about. And worrying about it will do me NO GOOD. My blood work still looks great and there are no marker signs for cancer. So that is a huge positive. 

I was given the dates of my next treatment. I have known since last October that I would have to do one more round of RAI. Hopefully this time I will not have to be away from the kids. I will go the 15 and 16th of October and do a thyrogen injection to get the synthroid out so I can do the test dose of RAI on Monday the 17th. Tuesday, the 18th I will go for the RAI scan, and Wednesday the 19th I will get the results. If everything is  CLEAR, I AM DONE with RAI treatment!!!! That is what we are hoping and praying for.

Thanks for all the prayers and for all you who texted me and checked in....You all always make me feel so loved!!! 

Because we had to go to MDA early, my parents offered to have the kids spend the night Wednesday. They camped out in tent city at Mema and Pepas. They had so much fun. Thursday as we were driving downtown my dad called and asked if Gavin could go to work with him. Gavin had a blast spending the day with Pepa and seeing what he does. Pepa took him to the top of one of the buildings downtown to let him look out over Houston. He loved it. They also ate at "the best hamburger place" in the world. It was a great bonding time for them. My mom meanwhile took the girls to build a bear and they got to make stuffed animals. The kids were so excited to be with them and my parents loved it too- they said ANYTIME when we left- so Frank and I may just take them up on it. :)

10 comments:

Team Dale said...

Ahh...Lacey, you are pulling on my heart strings! I am so glad to hear that your doctor was so upbeat and that she was able to provide you comfort! I love you dearly and have been and will be praying for your healing! Take care and let me know if there is anything I can do during treatment!

Emily said...

Wonderful news! I am so glad that everything went well and that your doctor was so reassuring! We love you and are so glad you are doing well!

Grandma Tic-Tac said...

I am very thankful that everything went so well at MD. I really wish I would have known you were going.

I'm sure the kiddos had a ball with your Mom and Dad.

Bethany said...

Glad to read that you are doing well and almost finished with your treatments. I LOVE the Laura Story song you have playing, so beautiful and so true.

Our Life Together said...

Lacey, thank God it went well!!! I am so glad that your Doctor is so positive and reassured you. HUGS!!!!

Kelly said...

Hooray for good news and great doctors! We will be praying all goes well with the treatments in October!! Xoxo!!

MKHKKH said...

So much worrying and waiting. :( I just want this all to be done for you so you can move on and be carefree. You are in the best hands and I know they would tell you if they were at all suspicious. We will be praying all goes perfectly in Oct! Yay that it won't be over the holidays.

Jess Richey said...

That sounds like wonderful news! YAY! I will continue to pray Lacey!

Jennifer said...

Lacey, I'm so glad that you got a great report from the dr. I am keeping you in my prayers that you continue to heal and get the same great reports from now on!

Urs said...

I'm so glad that your doctor was positive about the results! I will continue to pray that your treatment in October is your last one. It will be, I just know it.
xoxoxox!