Saturday, December 15, 2007

My dreaded doctor's appointment.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I really dreaded going. See back almost a year ago, I had been diagnosed as having Graves Disease. Now this has caused me alot of problems over the past several years. I have 2 tumors on my thyroid that I was told yesterday that could not be removed. I went to Dr. Alhaj, an Edocrimoligist, this was the 3rd doctor that I had been to for this. They all say pretty much the same thing. He said they couldn't remove these tumors because of where they were located. He said there were several nerves and things around them and if removed then I would have some paralysis in my face and neck and it would also mess up my speach. The only way that they will remove them is if it ever turns into cancer. I guess right now everything is okay as far as the cancer part goes.

So the only treatment for this is, of course medication along with radiation treatments. Now they said that the radiation treatments would NOT make me sick and it is in pill form. But the medication will react with the radiation and that is what will make me so sick. As of right now I don't know how many treatments I will have to have. The doctor said that the radiation is used to shrink or kill the tumors.

Now the worst part of it for me is that during the treaments he said that I would be TOXIC. He said that if I hold Hunter in my lap then I need to put a quilt or something between us because of the radiation and my pores of my skin. And NO SEX! :( He said he would tell me more when I go back.

I start my treatments 3 days after Christmas. Doctor said because of so much interaction with family through the holidays we would wait until after. My mom called yesterday after I got home and she got so upset. I tried to tell her that I was fine but she just wouldn't listen. She just kept crying. She said she wished that I didn't have to start treatments until she was home so that she could take care of me. I kept trying to tell her that I was okay. I think alot of it is because that she is gone and can't be with me. All three of us kids have always been so close to mom. When I was telling her bye on the phone she couldn't even tell me bye because she was crying so hard. I called Chantal and told her to call mom a little while afterwards to check on her, because she was so upset.

I don't think it is as bad as my mom and Richard thinks but hopefully it will all turn out fine in the end.
Kristie

11 comments:

Amelia said...

Sweet Lady, I feel so sorry to hear of your medical problem. I will put you in my prayers and ask God to help you as you go thru this period of your life. I have had breast cancer in both breasts so I sort of have an idea as to the depth of the problem you have.

Try to keep a positive attitude regardless of the situation.

Amelia

Cindy said...

I wish I could be there to give you a hug. In the end I just know that everything will be just fine. Your Mom will calm down and I understand how she feels. We never want to see our kids have to go through things like this and with her being so far away she got scared. Sheyll be fine and once she's home again she'll feel better once she sees you. You're a strong lady so you will sail through this.

Jen said...

Oh sweetie. I'm so sorry you've got to go through this. We'll get you through it, I promise. I know we can't be there to hold your hand but we're right here on the other side of the monitor. Do you feel me giving you a hug?

Angie said...

I just wanted to let you know that I went through the radiation (pill form) last summer. I really didn't have any ill side effects, and I can't remember how many days he said I would be toxic....3 to 5 days, maybe? I have two wienie dogs, and I know they're not like baby babies, but my two are my 'kids'. :D They just did not understand why I couldn't pick them up, let them sit on my lap or beside me on the couch, or snuggle with me for that length of time. My dr. told me at the time that it could be up to a year before we knew if the radiation actually destroyed the mass/thyroid. I now know that it did and they've started trying to regulate my Synthroid levels. Hopefully your's will go as easily for you as mine did. I do have to tell you that the night of my radiation treatment my DH said I 'reeked' of this chemical smell, and I just burst into tears. LOL What I did at the time was googled mass on thyroid and treatment by radiation. I found it really really helpful. See what you find out online. :)

Anonymous said...

Kristie,
I am so sorry to hear that news. It sounds like you have a very positive attitude and that is a great thing. You are a great person and a fighter so I know you will get through this. I'll be thinking of you and your family and passing up a few prayers for you. Know that we are always here for you on the other end of the monitor if you need us.
Hugs!
Deb (vtquilter)

Maureen said...

Kristie:

Many big hugs are being sent your way! I am sure things will be better in a short time but until then I will keep you in my prayers as are many other! We love you Cowgirl Quilter!

Feel my cyber arms giving you a big hug!

Maureen

Michelle said...

You are in my prayers, Sweetie, and I believe in prayer and the power of healing. Keep your head and attitude up, your eyes to the sky, and believe that only good things will come to you.

You have a wonderful holiday season, and a blessed Christmas. You are loved by many, and we will all be here if you need to talk, or a shoulder to cry on. It sounds like this treatments works very well, so hopefully, you will be back to feeling good again.

Gina said...

My dear quilting sister my heart goes out to you.
Please remember that we are all here for you and although we can't hug you in person we are hugging you in our hearts.
I know you are a strong lady and that you will get through this.

It will be hard not being able to hug your boys ( I'm including richard) but it will only be for a short time and then think of the feeling when you can make it up to them with lots of hugs. They also know that you will be hugging them with your love even if you can't hug them physically.

My thoughts are with you and your boys and I'll be here for you.

love and big hugs xxxxx

Moneik said...

Kristie,
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you begin radiation. All of your blogging friends will be pulling for you and hugging you with our love. We're pulling for you.

Hazel said...

I just wanted you to know my brother had the very same thing he went through the radiation treatments and is fine today .My prayers are with you ,hold strong Kristie and keep that great attitude up.We're all here if you need us .

Unknown said...

Dear Kristie, I am so sorry to hear this, I do hope that everything will go well. Lots of hugs...