Happy Thanksgiving

For the first time in 7 years, we didn't have Thanksgiving with the Wyatt's. Due to Chris's new work hours and doctor appointments, we stayed home - Chris added some flooring in the attic, Millie took a great nap, and the boys and I painted the sandbox that we built months ago. We made a nice dinner of ribs and potatoes and green salad. It really didn't feel like Thanksgiving, but it was a great family day. (and the hair in the middle of my forehead - it was driving me crazy all day long. FYI.)

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 We were able to meet with an oncologist who is a friend of my sister in law. He was able to answer and explain lots of things to us so we had a better understanding of what to expect. Then we met with my Endocrinologist - she will manage my thyroid hormone from here on out. We've also scheduled a date in the next two weeks for my radioactive iodine treatment. I will be glowing! :) I have to stay away from people - especially children - for 4-7 days. We keep getting different numbers of days, but I'm going to go with the more cautious approach because Millie is so young. Thursday I start a low-iodine diet...yay. :( And since I have to stop nursing Millie, I gave her some formula today. She didn't seem to mind it. Hopefully I will be able to wean myself from nursing in the next two weeks. Makes me sad, but it's the safest thing to do. Hopefully by Christmas we will have the majority of this all behind us.

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 In other news - I saw the following and said to myself - "Why am I NOT surprised?"

And Thank YOU for all the comments. I just love the comments and e-mails. I appreciate everyone, everywhere!

Not as well as I thought/hoped

 Well, it turns out that things weren't as rosy as they seemed during/after surgery. The pathology report came back and basically hit me (and Chris) with a 2x4 across the stomach - at least that is what it felt like. Both lobes of my thyroid had cancer, when we assumed only the right one did. 16 lymph nodes were removed and 2 of them contained cancer. According to the oncologist - once cancer is in the lymph nodes, the "horse is out of the barn." We (I) have an appointment with an Endocrinologist on Wednesday. After blood tests and a body scan we (I) will be ready for a radioactive iodine treatment. Neither of us feel like we fully understand what to expect, but hopefully we will on Wednesday. I think I will keep saying "we" since I couldn't get through this without Chris. His support, concern, and love is beyond my wildest dreams. It is my prayer that we can get this all over with before the first of the year. I'm so super optimistic because it could be worse in so many ways. Here's to a whirlwind in the next 6 weeks!

{Our family nurse (Auntie Linds) stayed with the boys during surgery and Mama Dos (Lucy) watched Millie for the day. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.}

 On a MUCH lighter note - I called my personal nurse and she came to help. And she brought her darling little man to meet us all.

 Recovery included one trip to Maggie's favorite store in Texas.

 This little guy always has this look on his face. Unless it's 4am and we are driving to WalMart for Tylenol. But that's an unusual circumstance.

 Sistas (I look a little "deer in the headlights.")

 The three ladies in the house!

 I think an appropriate caption for this photo is "farm boy meets diva."

 Isn't she a cute mama?

 Cousins

And we completed the week with a trip to the temple. 

Thank you to everyone - for watching kids, dinner, prayers, e-mails, comments on my blog (hint, hint). I will never be able to say it enough.

It went well, I guess

Surgery was on Friday and it went well.  The doctor told Chris that the cancerous nodule was twice the size they thought it was, measuring about 2 cm. But it was well contained - meaning it didn't appear to have spread. I am surprised at how large the incision is - doc said it shouldn't scar much at all. The stitches are all internal. I don't want to frighten anyone (for those who faithfully still read my blog) so I won't post the post-operative pictures Chris took. But once Maggie gets here and makes me look "purdy" I might share a picture with y'all. Until then - thank you for all the thoughts and prayers!

Seriously.

This is disappointing.

America has not learned its lesson yet.



We missed a huge chance for real leadership.

May God bless our country.

Not all of us have abandoned this chosen land.

Lots to be Thankful for this month

this stud for being my #1 support

Photos by Target Portrait Studios

Families ARE Forever

and these goonies. they make me smile every day!

AND - thank you to everyone for the words of encouragement. Thanks to my local friends for your service - couldn't do it all with out you. I really am thankful that I can be optimistic about our situation. I feel the love of my Heavenly Father every day.

OH - AND GO VOTE TODAY!