Christmas Traditions

I love traditions! I've started many and each Christmas, I keep adding more and more until we can't remember what our traditions really are! In the morning we are planning to eat Jesus's birthday cake for BREAKFAST, that is a huge treat in our house, then read the Christmas story and put baby Jesus in the manger.

Tonight, we went to our Christmas Eve service with our two young girls. I was told this was kid friendly, but was still leary of what might happen. Well, both the girls ended up making a scene and we ducked out early. We were all hungry, tired, and irritable! Nick made the comment that every Christmas Eve we eat chicken and dumplins. Well, that sounded like a great tradition to me, so we headed over to Cracker Barrel...it was closed! Then we went to another similar "southern cooking" place, but they didn't have our dumplins. Our plan had changed, we were all ill and our eyes landed on the Chinese resturaunt next to our house. Chinese on Christmas Eve? This was different, but we laughed about it and went on in. The food was TERRIBLE, I mean really bad, Hallie was crying. But in the midst of of the chaos, our oldest daughter made friends with the owner's daughter. It was so sweet to see how quickly they became friends and although they couldn't speak the same language, they sang and danced in circles, even played chase...in the resturant. We quickly left there and went home to make Jesus's b.day cake and eat some real food.

But, to me this night was such a sweet reminder of how children see the good even within the bad, and just ENJOY LIFE!! I am glad we went to this place, I know it will NOT be a tradition in our house, but it is now a memory and one that we will tell our girls and laugh about in years to come.

Making a difference

Our wonderful friends came over tonight to celebrate God's faithfulness! It's amazing to think about how much has happened in the past few months. God has comforted us through our wonderful friends and family.

Tonight, we were able to eat, laugh, talk and watch the clip on NBC. It was "short and sweet" like I expected, but all the parts talking about God and his healing and sovereignty were taken out. I really think that by the time they cut out all my answers about Christ, they weren't left with much else! LOL!!

My prayer is that it would raise awareness about cancer and encourage people to be proactive about their health and the health of those they love.

There is also an online interview on the internet that is longer and once again, you can see the pauses and breaks were they skipped over the God parts. I think that God was still glorified because He is the one who is making a difference in my life daily!!

I just want to thank everyone once again for the prayers, cards, and continued support!!

Interview-Why the increase in Thyroid Cancer?

I had such an amazing experience with the NBC crew! They were so nice and made us feel so comfortable in the 5 hours they spent here. I enjoyed learning about what all went into just the few short seconds that will actually be shown on TV. Several hours of filming and setting up lights,etc. I was asked questions ranging from how I found out that I had Cancer, to my initial reaction when I heard the news, my surgery,treatment, recovery,and why so many more women are getting it now.

The question that I was not fully prepared to answer was why did I have cancer? What caused it? Honestly, I don't know! This isn't a type of cancer that you get by smoking too much or laying out in the sun. Thyroid cancer is still a mystery to me. It might be environmental, perhaps exposure to radiation, which I had a good bit of while I was growing up b/c of braces,etc. I am eager to read what my surgeon has to say about the studies, and research that she has found. I want to help other people through their journeys too, but it would be amazing if we were able to prevent people from getting it in the future. My little girls faces flashed before my eyes...I don't want them to have to face this battle. Please pray that a cure can be found for this cancer and so many more.

Sharing My Story

Ever since I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer, I prayed that God would use me to help others and that I could share my journey. Well, during my isolation I found out that three other people that I know were going throught this same experience. That was all in just a Short period of time and with people who I already knew. Although I am only a few steps ahead of them, my prayer was that God would use me to show HIS love and the peace, comfort and JOY that can only be found in HIM in the midst of trials. I received a call from my surgeon's office this afternoon that proves that GOD once again answers prayers and in a BIG way. I was asked to be interviewed by NBC! I agreed and spent an hour going over the detail with a producer. When I asked if this was actually going to be on TV for all of GA to see...she laughed! "Yes, it is NBC news nightly with Brian Williams and his crew",she answered. My heart began to race and my hands got shakey and while my voice was trembling, I managed to ask a few more questions to make sure I wasn't dreaming. One of them was how will I know what questions will be asked. "You won't!" she answered, as if it was no big deal, "just talk to him". Easy for her to say!! You see, I have a fear of public speaking...even in Sunday School or a group more than umm about 3 people. So when I registered that I would be "speaking" to people all over the nation, all I could do was PRAY! Thanking God that He chosed to uses the weak (me) to show HIS strength over and over again. Thanking Him for answering my prayers and praying that HE will speak through me. So please say a prayer tomorrow afternoon that God will once again shower me with his peace and overwhelm me with his faithfulness to speak though me! More updates tomorrow!

TOGETHER AT LAST

I had planned to update my blog during isolation, but could not log in. So, sorry if you have been checking the site only to be disappointed. This thanksgiving was by far the best ever. I really missed seeing all of our extended family, but our days was filled with lots of hugs and kisses and our hearts filled with a whole new appreciation for life!

My time is isolation was not quite what I expected, I guess my expectations were too high. I went in with a list of things to accomplish, things that are impossible to do when chasing after the girls. My friend Tammy actually made a "project" each day for me to work on with a funny letter to look forward to every day! For example...Read a few books, organize pictures, make hair bows, journal, update blog, cut coupons, the list went on and on.

I did not "PLAN" on being natious and sick the entire time...that was not part of MY plan at all. But I know that there was a reason for it. Because I was feeling so weak, sick and tired, not to mention lonely. I turned to God for help, strength, and healing and wisdom. I feel like this was a time for me to be still and know that HE is GOD and that he controls every moment. I didn't ask for cancer, didn't ever even think of it making this type of impact on my family. However, I know that God allowed this to happen for a reason and I feel like it has and will continue to strengthen my faith in HIM.

I read all the cards that people have sent me and was so encouraged by the reminders of hope, peace, healing, and the power of prayer. More than anything, I just had time to reflect on all the blessing that God has given me. I am so thankful for the people that God has placed in my life to encourage, pray for, support, listen, and love me! My prayer is that God will use me to minister to others in the same way!

Schedule of events for the week of isolation and treatment

(notes taken by Tammy at my Drs. appointment-She has been my secretary, babysitter, coach and wonderful friend through all this "drama")

November 13th: Meet with nuclear medicine for a consultation.


November 17th (Tuesday) at 10:50 a.m.: Report to Emory Clinic division of Endocrinology for first thyrogen injection.


November 18th (Wednesday) at 10: 50 a.m.: Report to same place as Tuesday. Get
second thyrogen injection. Following the injection, go to the Emory Clinic Laboratory on the first floor of building A to have lab work drawn. You need to take the lab sheet and the second sheet they gave you from today (NOV. 13th). Lab work they will do includes the following: preg test, TSH, thyroglobulin, thyroglobulin antibodies and BETA HCG.

12:30 p.m. Go to the Department of Nuclear Medicine for the I-123 dose. This is put into your body for the next day so they can see where it settles…hopefully just in your neck.

Go to hotel Wednesday night. Make sure your room is set up for what you need. Make sure you have snacks, drinks, and food that you can eat. Make sure you have everything you need laid out for the following day because it will be a long day and very early. Eat something that night because you will be fasting the next day.
You and Nick go up to the hospital.

November 19th (Thursday) at 8:00 a.m.: You cannot eat four hours prior to this appointment. Go to the hospital for the I-123 scan. This will tell them where it is settling and how much of a dosage you need.
Therapy follows at 9 a.m. The doctor you saw Nov. 13th suggested 150 regardless. You cannot eat two hours after this treatment to ensure it does what it needs to!
You go back to hotel and rest. You may feel nausea from diet, stress, having salt when you haven’t had it for so long.

November 20th (Friday): Doctor suggested you stay in hotel three days AFTER treatment…that is until SUNDAY! You can go home three days after your treatment BUT you still have to use one bathroom no one else uses, sleep alone, wash everything you touch, wash everything separate from the families, use disposable utensils.

November 22nd (Sunday): You return home.

November 24th kids return home: You can't hold girls for prolonged time or contact…no shared drinks, utensils, etc. until the 30th.

November 26th Thanksgiving Day! Stay on your diet…no exceptions…it helps the RI not get confused and focus on what it needs to get!

November 30th (Monday) at 8 a.m.: Return to Nuclear Med Dpt. For your body scan. This will tell you if it did its job.

I don't know if you can see close up in this picture. I'll try to upload a closer picture later, but if you look at my neck you will see the bump where my tumor was. It's amazing that we didn't notice it sooner! Now, everytime I look at someone, I check and make sure they don't have a mass on there thyroid. If they do, I encourage them to be PROACTIVE. You just never know...