I'm Back!!!!

OK everyone, I figured it was finally time for me to get back up here and update on my progress.  Well, this has been one long, trying road so far.  Believe it or not, some of the stuff about my surgery, I didn't find out until everyone else, just by reading my blog :).  See even at 34, my mom is still being super protective of me.  I love you mom!  Anyway, like I said this has been a pretty tough experience with lots of ups and downs, with plenty more to come I am sure.  After my surgery, it seemed as if several days had gone by before I had received conscienceness.  I can remember, the first thing I wanted when I came to was some water, which they were quick to inform me that since I had a trac, it was not allowed.  I didn't want to hear that.  I will have to be completely honest, my surgery was a month ago today, and I was definetly in a different mindset.  I didn't care if I made it or not at alot of points along the way.  With all the tubes, stitches, trac in my neck and the feeling of having a big ol wad of dough (my new tongue) in my mouth--I felt like some kind of sick, twisted voodoo doll.  Well, needless to say I ended up getting off my woe-is-me soapbox and the fighter has come back.

I was very fortunate that they did discharge me in time to spend Christmas with my babies.  That was my whole reason for any advancements while I was in the hospital.  The word "NO" was not an option, and my mom could tell you that.  No matter how much I just wanted to lay in the hospital bed and wallow in self pity, I got up, put on that extra nightgown (so that I didn't put on a naked hiney show for everyone), and walked around that hospital for all to see.  I was determined that I was going to go home.  Eventually, day after day, one more tube was coming out or one more stitch or staple.  Then after mom about strangled a few people, it was official I was going home for Christmas.  It was definitely different, and I had a few moments, but it was the greatest things to see my babies, especially after 9 days in the hospital.  They both were great, so gentle and caring and, of course, wanting to see presents.

I have been on the road to healing ever since.  The wound from my leg has been completely healed now for about 3 weeks and the one on my arm is healing nicely too.  I just wish the pain was not there on my arm but I know I just have to work it more, which it is definetely getting a work out now by me typing.  I finally got that hateful trac out the 12th.  I will tell anyone who is listening, that thing is work of the DEVIL.  I promise.  I worried my doctors like crazy but now it is finally out and all is good.  I was even able to call my papa that day and tell him Happy 80th Birthday myself.  That made the trac coming out even better.  The swallow therapist said he is really impressed at how good I am doing, I also had to confess that I started drinking waaaay before they told me to but I couldn't help it, I had to have my water!  He told me that I could tell what was right for me to have and not have.  Boy, I didn't realize how good mashed potatoes really are!  and milkshakes----YUM!  I have actually put on 4lbs now, which is what they want.  I spend my whole life trying to lose weight for my doctors to put this feeding tube in and wanting me to gain weight. UGh, can't I please anyone??? They say that just in case, with the radiation, they want me to have some extra pounds that it wouldn't hurt to get rid of. Ha, Ha, they haven't looked at my belly :).

Well, I start my radiation on the 20th at 6:30pm due to a specific machine they want me to use.  I then start chemo on the 25th.  I am not really looking foward to it but I am looking foward to getting this over and done with so I can get my life back to normal, or as close to normal as possible.  I did find that I have cancer in my thyroid which they are not that worried about.  I am not going to worry that much either.  I did fine with a 12 hour surgery, I think I will be ok with a 2 hour one. 

Well, my arm is telling me it is tired and ready for some pain meds.  I do want to say thank you to each and everyone of you who has said a prayer for me.  God is looking out for me and showing what a great physician he really is.  I know I would not have made it this far and healing as good as I am without him by my side.  So, thanks for all the prayers and kind words and please, keep the prayers coming.

Also, my mom works with someone who had their baby six weeks early and it seems the baby was having some problems with its lungs.  Please say a prayer for the baby.  They should never have to go through anything like this especially just coming into the world.

God Bless,
Stacy

A New Year and New Challenges

Once again, this is momma updating Stacy's blog.  Stacy is doing well, a little disappointed that she did not get the trach taken  out last Tuesday, but is very motivated to have it taken out on January 12, when she returns to Dr. Couch for a follow up appointment.  When we went this past Tuesday, December 29, Dr. Couch looked very closely at her airway and determined that while the swelling has gone down a lot, and there is airway space, it was not sufficient and Stacy's breathing could easily become compromised if it was removed.  Dr. Couch is hopeful that she will be able to remove it on January 12.  In order to reduce the swelling, Stacy needs to be upright and moving about.  Taking in more fluids will also help.  Stacy is a remarkable young woman.  She pushes through, even when I can tell that she would much rather be laying in the bed.  We also received the results of the indepth pathology tests that were done following surgery.  Dr. Couch informed us that Stacy also has a different cancer in the thyroid gland.  It is a papiloma (SP?), which is a very slow growing/non-invasive cancer.  The plan is to start her radiation/chemotherapy in 2 weeks, and upon completion (6-7 weeks) Dr. Couch will remove Stacy's thyroid and look at surrounding lymph nodes.

I did some research on thyroid papilloma's, and everything I read said they were the second most treatable/curable cancers next to skin mellanoma's (which Stacy also had removed about 18-24 months ago).  We discussed the surgery and it is about a 2 hour surgery, with a 2 day hospital stay.  There will be no need for a trach to be inserted again, and Dr. Couch did say she was not overly concerned about this cancer.  I'm sure the genetics people at Chapel Hill will find this interesting, as did Dr. Couch.  She said this was the second time in about 4 months she has seen this type of thing.   Strange.............

We encourage everyone to keep praying for Stacy.  She will soon be starting her radiation which will be Monday-Friday for 6-7 weeks.  If you have volunteered to help transport, I will be contacting you to see what day/date(s) you would like to help out.  We are so very thankful to all our friends and your kindness is really appreciated.  I say thank you time and time again, and realize those are 2 very small words for all you have done. 

Stacy has been responding to e-mail, and also does have unlimited text messaging on her phone.  Please feel free to send her an e-mail or text message her.  When she is up and has a minute, she will respond back to you. 

Once again, thank you's to all family and friends for all their prayers, support, and well-wishes.  Momma