…
Next week about his time, surgery will be over and I assume I will be laying happily and drugged up in a bed in the Cancer hospital. I still have a hard time with the fact that I am a patient in a cancer hospital, but I have learned to appreciate the nurses and doctors and as always, I have adjusted nicely to everything that the universe has thrown in my direction.
It can always be worse and for many, this is a reality they have to live through. As so often, I consider myself very fortunate. I am so lucky in life.
My last CT scan last week showed that it looks like there is no other mass in my neck or chest, so we are ‘just’ dealing with a very large thyroid, which has quietly found its way into my chest. So much for blood work, which still shows acceptable low numbers for my thyroid function, while meanwhile, my thyroid over the years got larger and larger. It even moved my airpipe 1 cm to the right, and without showing too much of a bulge on the outside of my neck, it has found quietly a way down my inside – which is a scary thought.
…
When the nurse told me that it looked like they didn’t have to cut into my chestbone, I thought she made a joke. Turns out she wasn’t joking, it was indeed an option and still is, but my very experienced doctor thinks he can remove it without touching the bone. He better, but truthfully, “Do what you need to do.”
The verdict of my thyroid? We still don’t know if it’s cancer until after surgery but we assume for now that it is just a large goiter (what an ugly unappealing word) but even if it’s cancer, then the removal is the cure.
Meanwhile, I am preparing myself for 10 days of recovery after surgery. (That’s the number of days I give myself give or take a few).
Our reclining chair will be moved out of its parking space, so that I can sleep and rest in it for a while. The freezer is already full of my favorite soups and quick meals for my husband, who will have to take care of me for the first time in our long time together. (I don’t know who is more terrified.)
I have a playlist full of new music I want to listen to, and a watchlist of TV series and movies I always wanted to see. I will finally watch THE CROWN as well as some international series like THE EMPRESS, the story about the Austrian Empress Elizabeth “Sissi”.
Tomorrow I will order a few Indie books from bloggers (I could use some suggestions, please). My favorite lounge pants are ready for action and my new fluffy snuggle blanket is on its way -somehow mysteriously the old one ended up in the dog’s bed.
I will enjoy my recovery time to the fullest. That’s the plan.
They will take a full biopsy of my thyroid after the thyroidectomy, and my instinct tells me I will feel very lucky again.
That’s just an update because many of you know about the upcoming surgery.
I will be fine. That’s the plan!
I wish you the best in your journey. I go for surgery next week and look forward to my own healing and feeling like I am starting to see the other side hopefully.
Just checking in to see how the surgery went. I hope you are doing good!
It went well. It took a bit longer as planned but I am back home resting and healing. They got it all, now let’s wait and see what the lab says. Thank you for caring.
I am sending all sorts of positive thoughts, healing vibes, and soothing juju your way. You seem to be well prepared. Be well my friend! 🤗❤️
I hope it will be a straightforward removal and a speedy recovery. Sounds like you already have everything ready for two weeks of rest! All the best.
Wishing the best outcome and a speedy recovery Bridget. Have a good weekend. Allan
You are certainly in my thoughts, Bridget, as you approach a surgery date. I don’t care how prepared a person is, and you have certainly prepared well, I imagine you’ll feel SO relieved when you are home and recuperating. Use that recuperation time to the fullest, my friend. You deserve some “down time” following what is stressful to all of us, even when given good reports. It’s just a lot!! Thank you for sharing with us so that we can “be with you.” ♥️
I appreciate it, Debra. This is going on for months now and I can’t wait to have it behind me A biopsy will then give us the final verdict but I guess I know already.
I will enjoy my recovery time, pain-free and all snuggled up in our monster recliner 🙂
Yikes! I hope everything goes well in your surgery!
Thank you, Rebecca.
You do the same 🙂
This looks like good news in the circumstances. You know I wish you well, Bridget
How are you, Derrick?
I am feeling OK. My nest round of preventative treatment starts in a couple of weeks.
Best wishes and good luck with your operation!
Thank you, Britta.
Love and best wishes for the coming week.
Thank you, Jaya
Sending positive thoughts your way. Good luck.
Thank you, Brian.
Thinking about you!
Thank you so much.
Best wishes that all goes well. You sound very prepared!
Thank you, Susan.
That sounds familiar. My husband and I sometimes “take a nap” right before we go to bed, too.
Oh how I wish this would not be true 🙂
Good luck! I hope it goes well for you 🤞
Thank you, Clive.
Just wanted to add my two pennorth and a hug, Bridget. Your poor husband! I’m sure he’ll respond well to instruction. Bring on the 10 days!
Thank you. He is a great man but right now he is scared because he really never had to take care of me. I live on a very strict diet (for health reasons) and that scares him the most. Also, the pre-ops and the findings terrified him and I know how he feels. I have watched over him in the hospital often enough, so I can relate. He looked lost in the waiting rooms.
In a very small way I can relate, Bridget. I had a very bad fall a year or so ago and Michael was reduced to a jelly. He watched over me like a hawk for months afterwards. Your man will cope. He has no choice. Good luck, sweetheart!
Sending warm wishes for a straightforward recovery and lots of TLC from your husband!
It’s going to be alright. Thank you, Jane.
I understand that you have to give up tap dancing after the op. I hope you aren’t too disappointed! Oodles of love and hugs and best wishes for next week. Do as you’re told and enjoy being looked after for a change. 🤗💛
I know I come across like the energy bunny and I try to be. I have RA and resting or not moving is the worst you can do. So recovery, while tempting, also scares me a bit but I will enjoy it to the fullest.
You know your own body best. Do what you need to recover in your own time.
Don’t forget to budget some time to sleep, Bridget. Good luck to you!
No worries about that. I might be active, but I seem to go to bed with the chicken now. My husband and I look like a cartoon at night in our living room. TV on, both dozing off and finally going to bed at 8:30 pm.
Sending much love and positive thoughts your way!
Thank you, Anna.
Sending love, oodles of love Bridget. 💕
Oodles of love… I like that.
❤️❤️❤️
OK. Cancer sucks, and I hope that’s not it…but if it IS….know that it’s a very treatable type of cancer and yes, in fact, surgery does the job. And you will be fine. We’ll all be pulling for a good outcome. Snuggling up in bed with a good book or a good show sounds about perfect. And if the soup isn’t entirely hot, or the meal not totally defrosted, you’ll still be fine, both of you. Hugs.
How is your husband?
I am relieved that there are no other masses in my head region or chest region, which means I should be fine. I got scared when I saw how deep into my chest it goes, but I shook it off. Now I just want it done and over with.
It’s definitely scary. The sooner you get it out the better. My husband got the pathology report back last week from the Dec 30 surgery to remove a cancerous nodule in his lung. Turns out margins are not clear. So we keep chugging along. PET scan this padt Tues shows 2 new nodules in his lung.
I took the ‘like’ back because I hate what I am reading. I will be thinking of you.
BTW, you offered to help with future senior projects. Could you consider painting five cards for our Easter donation bags because my husband and I want to continue to take care of these five elderly.
But please don’t feel you have too.
I know how you feel about the darn like button. You want to acknowledge the comment, but you don’t like it one bit! 🙂
I would love to paint 5 cards for Easter. Are these going to women or men? Do you want it sort of Easter-y or flowery or birds? Or?
Do these people see each other so they’d know if one got a similar card and they should all be different? Or can I do a couple that are similar?
Bet you didn’t think 5 cards would have so many questions!
They cards are for three women and two men. I don’t know them because so far we try to stay anonymous. Do they know each other. Possibly, it’s not a very large nursing home.
Easter-y but not religious. Birds and flowers are perfect, even a bunny and eggs. Neutral enough to not offend, does that make sense?
Got it, no sweat
I have the 5 cards painted. If you email me your email address I will send you a photo of them to see if they’re what you were thinking. Also, are you good with 5 or do you need a spare just in case? My email is dawnkinster@gmail.com.
How was your surgery? I hope it went well.
Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way my friend. Enjoy your recovery time.
Thank you, Darlene.
Take care. Hope all goes well.
Thank you, Elizabeth.
I hope all goes well with your thyroid surgery, Bridget – I’ll be thinking of you <3
Thank you so much. I know you have thyroid issues as well.
I have the option to have surgery, or not – I’ve been putting off making a decision, as having my hip replacement took precedence, but I really need to look at it again now. My brother in law (same age as us) is having thyroid surgery the week after next, so I’m keen to see how he gets on before I decide what to do next…