And the results are in

A Kansas Christmas (missed you Greg and Linds)

These goonies mean the world to me!

Sorry if I've left you all hanging - I've been meaning to give an update on my cancer treatment. I've been, what I would call, a little bit busy. On December 12th I was given a radioactive iodine treatment (I-131). I was admitted to the hospital until my radiation levels were at a safe range. I assumed this would be 2-3 days. I tested super low within 23 hours! It was a boring day sitting/sleeping in a plastic wrapped room. I left the hospital and went to Lacy's house, where she had a separate bedroom and bathroom available for my use. I was to stay 3 feet away from adults for 3-5 days and 6 feet away from children for 5-7 days. So I stayed with Lacy until the following Wednesday when I had a follow-up whole body scan. (I can't tell you how I missed my family - all those days I've wanted a break from them were haunting me. However, Lacy made my time go by fast with movies, good food, and a trip to the mall!) Finally, Friday evening my doctor called with the scan results. It's a long story, but the bottom line is - SO FAR, SO GOOD. A small portion of thyroid tissue is still present in my neck. It may continue to die off and it may not. It will be checked again in three months time. Chris and I were so relieved to finally receive positive news. Thank you to everyone for the fasting and prayers. We have felt everyone's love. It's been an emotional roller-coaster, but I am thankful for the strength we've been given and the service we've received. Here's to new year of adventures!

The jolly man himself

Merry Christmas!

And the beat goes on...

Isn't she the cutest? We weaned ourselves from nursing in preparation for my treatment next week. She is doing fine with the formula - probably better than me. That stuff stinks! Not to mention it took her 6 days to get it through her intestines. That was fun....Plus I think she put on a pound or two. She is so kissable!

Here we are - three moves, four jobs, three kids, seven years and xx pounds later.  We spend time each year on our anniversary at the temple to do sealings. It's a great reminder of the promises we've made to each other. I really married my best friend!

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.