I've been on my thyroid medication for a week now. I'm about ready to jump out of my skin. The question is: "Is this feeling from the medication or the ideas rolling around in my head trying to get out?" Not sure. From the time I wake up until I go to bed, my mind is running at full speed. It almost feels like how I imagine someone labeled with ADHD feels.
There is an appointment scheduled this morning with the surgeon's assistant. Maybe she will have an answer for me. I'm hoping that I get the ok to return to the gym. That should help release some of this energy.
I finished the blue train hat and posted it in my store, www.BPDesign.etsy.com. It turned out sooooo cute.
Hope everyone has a great day. I may just go for a run around the block a few times. :)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Fall is coming!
Fall is my favorite time of year. The leaves turn and the weather cools. The air is crisp like a fresh picked apple. Piles of leaves waiting for some child/adult to jump into it. There is a smell for fall that is hard to describe. If you've ever experienced it, you won't soon forget it.
Many people have told me that they still pray for me during this recovery time. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! There have been many times where I've felt the presence and peace that only comes with being surrounded by the prayers of faithful people.
I did get to make a midnight run to the ER. This was for myself. The surgeon told me to call if I ever felt a tingling in the lips. Well, I did last night. So I went down, only to find out that I needed more calcium. :{ I got caught up on my sleep this afternoon. I was a zombie in church though. Very tired.
I've gotten the Boots-inspired hat and tail from Dora the Explorer done. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I also finished a Thomas the Train inspired hat. My children knew exactly who it was. Now they are bringing me every toy they own asking for a hat made to represent that toy. Some of the requests are just silly. Others have some merit. The excitement of children is contagious!
Many people have told me that they still pray for me during this recovery time. I just wanted to say THANK YOU! There have been many times where I've felt the presence and peace that only comes with being surrounded by the prayers of faithful people.
I did get to make a midnight run to the ER. This was for myself. The surgeon told me to call if I ever felt a tingling in the lips. Well, I did last night. So I went down, only to find out that I needed more calcium. :{ I got caught up on my sleep this afternoon. I was a zombie in church though. Very tired.
I've gotten the Boots-inspired hat and tail from Dora the Explorer done. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. I also finished a Thomas the Train inspired hat. My children knew exactly who it was. Now they are bringing me every toy they own asking for a hat made to represent that toy. Some of the requests are just silly. Others have some merit. The excitement of children is contagious!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Day by Day
Here we are 1 week and 1 day after the surgery. Things are going better than I expected. Of course, you really never know what to expect. People can tell you what happened with them or someone they knew, but each person is an individual. That is the way that God made us.
The doctor told me after 3 days that I'd be up and about. The nurse, who had the same prognosis/surgery, told me it would be a good week or more. Well, I think I fell somewhere in between. I just wish that I had the OK to get back to working out. I really do miss it.
Things seem to be moving. I slept for the first 3 days. The nurse told me not to be a hero and take the pain meds when I needed to. So I have. I've only had to take 2. Yes, 2! On the bottle it says "take for incisional pain." There is no "incisional pain".
When I swallow, I do have to bring my chin down. For some reason the job of swallowing pulls at the stitches. Other than that, no pain.
As far as my creations are coming along, it is a fun and exciting time. I've had someone ask for me to make a monkey hat that looks like "Boots" from Dora the Explorer. So I've done my best. I like how it has turned out. Who knows maybe one of my children will end up being Boots also.
That's all for now. Have a great day and wonderful weekend!
The doctor told me after 3 days that I'd be up and about. The nurse, who had the same prognosis/surgery, told me it would be a good week or more. Well, I think I fell somewhere in between. I just wish that I had the OK to get back to working out. I really do miss it.
Things seem to be moving. I slept for the first 3 days. The nurse told me not to be a hero and take the pain meds when I needed to. So I have. I've only had to take 2. Yes, 2! On the bottle it says "take for incisional pain." There is no "incisional pain".
When I swallow, I do have to bring my chin down. For some reason the job of swallowing pulls at the stitches. Other than that, no pain.
As far as my creations are coming along, it is a fun and exciting time. I've had someone ask for me to make a monkey hat that looks like "Boots" from Dora the Explorer. So I've done my best. I like how it has turned out. Who knows maybe one of my children will end up being Boots also.
That's all for now. Have a great day and wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
One Day at a Time
I'm taking it one day at a time. That is really all we can do right.
Monday was a good day. There wasn't a single migraine to be found. Tuesday was busy and tiring. I fell into bed exhausted. Today is a take it easy and complete some orders.
I have been looking for the elusive remote. Not sure where it went to, but it will be found. We have no desire to pay dish $100 to come out and give us a new one.
The Clifford hat got finished, posted and paid for. It will ship out this morning. Then I finished and posted a monkey hat for another lady. By this morning I had orders for another 2 hats. 1 is the exact same as another that I posted. The other is for a monkey hat only it needs to be the colors of Boots (Dora's friend). Everyone is getting their costumes together early it seems. That is fine with me because I won't have such a large last minute rush. I hope! I hate to rush.
That is about all for now. I need to go find the remote and get to work. Hope you all have a great day!
Monday was a good day. There wasn't a single migraine to be found. Tuesday was busy and tiring. I fell into bed exhausted. Today is a take it easy and complete some orders.
I have been looking for the elusive remote. Not sure where it went to, but it will be found. We have no desire to pay dish $100 to come out and give us a new one.
The Clifford hat got finished, posted and paid for. It will ship out this morning. Then I finished and posted a monkey hat for another lady. By this morning I had orders for another 2 hats. 1 is the exact same as another that I posted. The other is for a monkey hat only it needs to be the colors of Boots (Dora's friend). Everyone is getting their costumes together early it seems. That is fine with me because I won't have such a large last minute rush. I hope! I hate to rush.
That is about all for now. I need to go find the remote and get to work. Hope you all have a great day!
Monday, August 24, 2009
I'm home!
That's right I'm home from the hospital. It has been a fast, yet relaxing weekend. I never knew that was possible, but I guess it is.
We dropped the kids off early Thursday morning and made the dreaded drive to the hospital. The nurse took me in the back and had me changed into the beautiful hospital gown. She then effortlessly inserted the IV on THE FIRST TRY! I was so excited. I got to visit with my hubby for a few minutes before they wheeled me to the surgery waiting room.
Many people (nurses, doctors, etc.) came to meet me. I'll never remember any of there names. The only one that I remember is the main surgeon that I met with a few weeks ago. I was given a "calming" drug, then wheeled into the back. I remember getting on the table. The next thing I knew was that I was waking up in the recovery room. The nightmare that many have about waking up on the operating table was not mine to have.
Might I also add that I wasn't nervous going in. Looking back I could tell that many people were praying for me. Thank you to those who did. I felt a sense of peace that you only get from being shrouded in prayer.
The nurse that I had in recovery was the kind of nurse that I wish there were more of. He was understanding and compassionate. Actually, all the nurses that I met in recovery had this same attitude. It was very refreshing.
Approximately 6 hours later (yes, 6), I was taken to my room. My roommate was interesting. The day staff were awesome. The night staff left a lot lacking. I'm not going to go into detail on here. I'll contact the hospital directly. I was kept on clear fluids all day.
Friday morning I was allowed to eat solid food, so I ordered up a meal. I could have done without the pancakes, but the food has improved a lot. One point I should make is that all day Wednesday I was drinking water and had my "last meal" at about 5 PM. So I had gone approximately 32 hours "without" food. Of course, I had my IV, but my stomach did not think that was food. :) The meal was enjoyed that morning.
Then Matt came to get me and we went home. I've been trying to take it easy. It seems like Friday and Saturday that I slept almost all day. I was able to go to the morning and evening services at church on Sunday. It was so nice not to be bed-bound. It gave me a new compassion for my clients who are bed-bound.
Matt goes back to work tomorrow and my dad will be here. He'll help with the first week of school. I still can't believe how fast the summer went.
I guess I'd better close. There are 2 special orders to get finished and posted. Have a great day everyone!
We dropped the kids off early Thursday morning and made the dreaded drive to the hospital. The nurse took me in the back and had me changed into the beautiful hospital gown. She then effortlessly inserted the IV on THE FIRST TRY! I was so excited. I got to visit with my hubby for a few minutes before they wheeled me to the surgery waiting room.
Many people (nurses, doctors, etc.) came to meet me. I'll never remember any of there names. The only one that I remember is the main surgeon that I met with a few weeks ago. I was given a "calming" drug, then wheeled into the back. I remember getting on the table. The next thing I knew was that I was waking up in the recovery room. The nightmare that many have about waking up on the operating table was not mine to have.
Might I also add that I wasn't nervous going in. Looking back I could tell that many people were praying for me. Thank you to those who did. I felt a sense of peace that you only get from being shrouded in prayer.
The nurse that I had in recovery was the kind of nurse that I wish there were more of. He was understanding and compassionate. Actually, all the nurses that I met in recovery had this same attitude. It was very refreshing.
Approximately 6 hours later (yes, 6), I was taken to my room. My roommate was interesting. The day staff were awesome. The night staff left a lot lacking. I'm not going to go into detail on here. I'll contact the hospital directly. I was kept on clear fluids all day.
Friday morning I was allowed to eat solid food, so I ordered up a meal. I could have done without the pancakes, but the food has improved a lot. One point I should make is that all day Wednesday I was drinking water and had my "last meal" at about 5 PM. So I had gone approximately 32 hours "without" food. Of course, I had my IV, but my stomach did not think that was food. :) The meal was enjoyed that morning.
Then Matt came to get me and we went home. I've been trying to take it easy. It seems like Friday and Saturday that I slept almost all day. I was able to go to the morning and evening services at church on Sunday. It was so nice not to be bed-bound. It gave me a new compassion for my clients who are bed-bound.
Matt goes back to work tomorrow and my dad will be here. He'll help with the first week of school. I still can't believe how fast the summer went.
I guess I'd better close. There are 2 special orders to get finished and posted. Have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Have you ever . . .
Have you ever felt so loved you wanted to cry? That is the thought that has hit so close to home in the recent days.
When I was first diagnosed, my Dad and Mom made phone calls to family members without computer access. My grandfather, Mom's Dad, told her to pass on a message to me. "Don't fear it. Fight it." He said this in reference to the cancer. He was also diagnosed with cancer although a different kind. That saying keeps rolling around in my head.
There are many Bible verses about fear that go along with that statement. One of them is: Psalms 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Today along with cleaning and organizing, I'm drinking my weight in water. After midnight, I must fast until after the surgery. When I mentioned to the nurse about the hour and 5 people it took to try to get an IV in, she told me to drink water until I could float away. So that is what I'm doing. :)
On another note, I realized I have not updated the information about my trip to a healthy life. I'm holding steady at 213 lbs. and I've lost 9.5". This has been 5 months of hardwork, but I know it can be done.
When I was first diagnosed, my Dad and Mom made phone calls to family members without computer access. My grandfather, Mom's Dad, told her to pass on a message to me. "Don't fear it. Fight it." He said this in reference to the cancer. He was also diagnosed with cancer although a different kind. That saying keeps rolling around in my head.
There are many Bible verses about fear that go along with that statement. One of them is: Psalms 27:1 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Today along with cleaning and organizing, I'm drinking my weight in water. After midnight, I must fast until after the surgery. When I mentioned to the nurse about the hour and 5 people it took to try to get an IV in, she told me to drink water until I could float away. So that is what I'm doing. :)
On another note, I realized I have not updated the information about my trip to a healthy life. I'm holding steady at 213 lbs. and I've lost 9.5". This has been 5 months of hardwork, but I know it can be done.
Still So Much To Do
It seems that housework is never-ending especially when you are trying to prepare ahead of time. I had to take my wedding ring off. No jewelry allowed in surgery. My middle son has now misplaced it and he doesn't remember where. That is more incentive for me to get busy cleaning.
I pulled out the paper the nurse gave me. On it are a list of numbers and when to call each. So I went to call for my time to report and where, but it was not time yet. I have to call between 2 and 4 PM. That is a pretty small window. Especially when my oldest 2 have swim lessons at 3 and 3:30PM. I leave the house at 2:30PM. There will be approximately 30 min. for me to make a call and get 3 children ready to go. I truly hope and pray that they answer on the first call as I don't know how many I will be able to make in that 30 min.
One positive that I can get from this is that I will be getting a lot of time to sit. Many hats will be accomplished/finished. We'll see how crazy they look while I'm taking pain medicine. :) I don't take a lot of medicine, so this should be easy. I don't want my body to become immune to medications, so that when I do need them, they work.
A small project I'm working on for my store is a Clifford hat. In my etsy store is a knit/crochet dog ear hat. A lady contacted me about making it in red for her unborn son. I'm having so much fun. Then I also need to make a monkey hat to fill another order.
Just my personal opinion, knitting seems so much smoother than crochet. Crochet can get chunky at times. Knitting also has more give, so it stretches further. My crochet is right where the "sample" measurements say it should be.
Anyway, enough for now. I need to get more things organized/cleaned. Have a great day!
I pulled out the paper the nurse gave me. On it are a list of numbers and when to call each. So I went to call for my time to report and where, but it was not time yet. I have to call between 2 and 4 PM. That is a pretty small window. Especially when my oldest 2 have swim lessons at 3 and 3:30PM. I leave the house at 2:30PM. There will be approximately 30 min. for me to make a call and get 3 children ready to go. I truly hope and pray that they answer on the first call as I don't know how many I will be able to make in that 30 min.
One positive that I can get from this is that I will be getting a lot of time to sit. Many hats will be accomplished/finished. We'll see how crazy they look while I'm taking pain medicine. :) I don't take a lot of medicine, so this should be easy. I don't want my body to become immune to medications, so that when I do need them, they work.
A small project I'm working on for my store is a Clifford hat. In my etsy store is a knit/crochet dog ear hat. A lady contacted me about making it in red for her unborn son. I'm having so much fun. Then I also need to make a monkey hat to fill another order.
Just my personal opinion, knitting seems so much smoother than crochet. Crochet can get chunky at times. Knitting also has more give, so it stretches further. My crochet is right where the "sample" measurements say it should be.
Anyway, enough for now. I need to get more things organized/cleaned. Have a great day!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Two Days Left
I have 2 days before my surgery. Tomorrow I call and find out what time to report to the hospital. The nurse said they were trying to get the first surgery slot for me. I'm praying that they can. I won't be able to eat or drink until it is done. Not sure how I'll handle a day without coffee.
I'm working on getting the house in order and straightened for Matt and the boys. It seems that cleaning is a never-ending job. I get dishes done and move to cleaning another room. By the time I'm done with that room, my sink is full of dishes that were scattered around. The funny thing is we eat at the table, so I'm not sure what is going on there.
My dad will be here the week after the surgery. This will be great because I have to get re-checked by the surgeon and my oldest starts back to school. My dad has a better camera than I do, so I'm hoping for some great pictures.
I'm so thankful that I'm saved and on my way to heaven. I don't know how people who don't have the hope of heaven face surgeries. There are still the verse cards to finish and packing for my overnight stay.
Time to get busy. Have a wonderful and blessed day!
I'm working on getting the house in order and straightened for Matt and the boys. It seems that cleaning is a never-ending job. I get dishes done and move to cleaning another room. By the time I'm done with that room, my sink is full of dishes that were scattered around. The funny thing is we eat at the table, so I'm not sure what is going on there.
My dad will be here the week after the surgery. This will be great because I have to get re-checked by the surgeon and my oldest starts back to school. My dad has a better camera than I do, so I'm hoping for some great pictures.
I'm so thankful that I'm saved and on my way to heaven. I don't know how people who don't have the hope of heaven face surgeries. There are still the verse cards to finish and packing for my overnight stay.
Time to get busy. Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Monday, August 17, 2009
New Update
Well, so much has happened since I last wrote. My oldest had "summer" vacation. I use the term summer very loosely, because for the first 2 months it rained non-stop.
About 2 months ago, I went to my doctor for an issue. When I left, I walked out knowing that I had a lump on my thyroid. I knew there was a problem, but couldn't put my finger on it. The doctor visit was not to check my thyroid. It was another issue that could be linked to the thyroid.
Anyway, less than 2 weeks later, I went to an endocrinologist. She confirmed that there is a lump (over 1 cm). A biopsy was scheduled. I also had some bloodwork done to see if it was autobody. That test came back negative. So the biopsy date came. Let me tell you, that was worse than labor and I delivered my first 2 children without pain meds. I would know the results of the biopsy in a week.
I wasn't too concerned about it. After all, thyroid lumps run in my mom's family. All of theirs came back benign. I figured mine would too.
Then the call came. I have thyroid cancer. Everything went foggy. I caught snatches of what the doctor was telling. Words like surgery, total thyroidectomy, medicine, the rest of my life. The endocrinologist did finish with "This is the best kind of cancer to have, because it is cureable." My personal preference would be the non-existent kind.
I called clients and told them that I would not be accepting any new projects for a while. I also called close family and told them the news. Then I sent out an email letting others know. I just could not get through another phone call. When I finally got a hold of my husband, he was floored. His supervisor sent him home early.
For the next 2 days, my inbox was full of emails letting me know that people were praying for me. My answering machine also got many messages of love. People were coming out of the woodwork letting me know how much they cared. It has been overwhelming. One lady from an online group sent me a list of Bible verses. I have been writing them on 3x5 cards and putting them in a flip book. I'm taking this to the hospital with me.
Right now, I'm hoping and praying for the best, but planning for the worst. I love that God has given us HOPE.
I'm trying to stay positive as that is what people need me to be right now. I have many people looking at me with looks of apology like they wished this on me. I feel like people are watching and waiting for me to breakdown. Everytime I leave the house, the brave face goes on. One of the most common questions that gets asked is, "How are you doing?" In my mind I'm screaming, "I have cancer what do you expect.", but my answer is always, "I'm doing great. Just keeping positive." There are a few that I feel are following me. Waiting for me to start bawling, so that they can be there to be the shoulder to cry on.
I'll write more later. I need to get my children out of the house. It feels as if it is closing in on me. The surgery is looming closer. This Thursday to be exact. Maybe if I keep busy enough it will go away.
About 2 months ago, I went to my doctor for an issue. When I left, I walked out knowing that I had a lump on my thyroid. I knew there was a problem, but couldn't put my finger on it. The doctor visit was not to check my thyroid. It was another issue that could be linked to the thyroid.
Anyway, less than 2 weeks later, I went to an endocrinologist. She confirmed that there is a lump (over 1 cm). A biopsy was scheduled. I also had some bloodwork done to see if it was autobody. That test came back negative. So the biopsy date came. Let me tell you, that was worse than labor and I delivered my first 2 children without pain meds. I would know the results of the biopsy in a week.
I wasn't too concerned about it. After all, thyroid lumps run in my mom's family. All of theirs came back benign. I figured mine would too.
Then the call came. I have thyroid cancer. Everything went foggy. I caught snatches of what the doctor was telling. Words like surgery, total thyroidectomy, medicine, the rest of my life. The endocrinologist did finish with "This is the best kind of cancer to have, because it is cureable." My personal preference would be the non-existent kind.
I called clients and told them that I would not be accepting any new projects for a while. I also called close family and told them the news. Then I sent out an email letting others know. I just could not get through another phone call. When I finally got a hold of my husband, he was floored. His supervisor sent him home early.
For the next 2 days, my inbox was full of emails letting me know that people were praying for me. My answering machine also got many messages of love. People were coming out of the woodwork letting me know how much they cared. It has been overwhelming. One lady from an online group sent me a list of Bible verses. I have been writing them on 3x5 cards and putting them in a flip book. I'm taking this to the hospital with me.
Right now, I'm hoping and praying for the best, but planning for the worst. I love that God has given us HOPE.
I'm trying to stay positive as that is what people need me to be right now. I have many people looking at me with looks of apology like they wished this on me. I feel like people are watching and waiting for me to breakdown. Everytime I leave the house, the brave face goes on. One of the most common questions that gets asked is, "How are you doing?" In my mind I'm screaming, "I have cancer what do you expect.", but my answer is always, "I'm doing great. Just keeping positive." There are a few that I feel are following me. Waiting for me to start bawling, so that they can be there to be the shoulder to cry on.
I'll write more later. I need to get my children out of the house. It feels as if it is closing in on me. The surgery is looming closer. This Thursday to be exact. Maybe if I keep busy enough it will go away.
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