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