Surgery Tomorrow

Well, friends, tomorrow is the big day. My Mom, Tom and I will head to the hospital around 11 for my second surgery. Two weeks ago, before we knew I had cancer, I had the left side of my thyroid and two tumors removed. My surgeon said that since my biopsy came back benign, that only one side of my thyroid had to be removed. The reason doctors do this is to save any unaffected thyroid tissue in hopes that whatever is left will be enough to provide my body with normal thyroid hormone. This prevents one from having to go on thyroid replacement medication for the rest of their life. It's standard practice to remove your entire thyroid if you have cancer, but at the time of my first surgery no one knew.

Deja vu. There is a part of me that's pretty damn angry that I have to do this all over again. I mean, really? Again? I'm finally starting to feel back to normal and now I have to start all over. Having your neck sliced open is NOT a walk in the park. Not to mention I'll be off work for another two weeks to recover. Stupid if you ask me! But, when cancer calls, you best answer the damn phone.

I picked up my perscription for my thyroid hormone replacements today. I had a conversation with the bottle in the car. "So, guess you're with me forever, huh?" "Well, if we are in this for the long haul, you better act right and not make me feel like shit, or make my hair fall out like your directions say you might."
It's amazing to me all the important things your thyroid does for your body. Two months ago, I didn't even know I had a thyroid, much less its function. Apparently, your thyroid regulates body temperature, controls blood pressure, and regulates your metabolism. Tomorrow that important gland is coming out, and I'll be relying on a little white pill forever.

I'd like to take this monent to thank my thyroid gland for jumping on the cancer granade. For sparing my other glands and major organs, I award you the purple scalpel. R.I.P Thyroid. I'll miss you.

I'll try my best to blog tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

Thanks again for all the calls, texts, and cards. Getting the mail has taken on a whole new meaning! Love you all!