Pathology report back with good news!

This morning, just like yesterday morning, C’s surgeon called to see how he was feeling and if he had any questions in recovery at home.  Then, he shared some wonderful news with us.  The pathology reports are back and there is no sign of cancer in any of the lymph nodes removed during surgery!

This information will help determine C’s course of treatment regarding radioactive iodine in the coming months as well as his dose of Synthroid.
This photo was taken the day I met Chris–at the party we rode bikes to with a group of mutual friends.  It’s how I feel right now!  Yippie!
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Thankful for home and each other.

We were discharged from the hospital last night and are resting and relaxing this holiday at home.  Chris said the only thing he wishes he could have taken with him from the hospital is the bed.  Because he can’t sleep on his side or stomach due to the incision site for several more days he has to sleep propped up at about a 40-degree angle.  We’ve got pillow mania going on in the bedroom right now.  But I’m happy to report Chris is definitely on the mend and had a good night!

He’s still icing the incision (“more ice than no ice”) and keeping ahead of his pain with medication (“you can switch out the narcotic for a Tylenol if you like…”).

This morning I am thankful for our partnership.  It’s incredible what you find out about your mate when he or she is sick.  Chris is grace under pressure.  Even in pain, he remains loving and thoughtful.  He keeps saying, “thank you” after I fill up his glass of water or his ice pack.  He is an incredible patient.

I am thankful for the wonderful nurses we had during our short stay at Porter Adventist Hospital and for the hospital itself. Steph, Riana, Sam and Renee were the day nurses I saw the most of on the oncology surgical floor and Chris had two others at night, plus a very plucky respiratory therapist named Jerry!  Everyone was friendly and helpful — right down to the barista at the cafe.

It is a wonderful, comforting feeling to know how supported we are by friends and family.  We received many encouraging emails, calls and text messages.  We were visited by family and close friends in the hospital and know we’ll have more visitors at home in these next few weeks!

Our health continues to be on the top of my list for what I am most thankful for.  The “c” word is scary.  We’ll have full pathology reports back on Monday from the surgery, but so far, so good.  Several of the lymph nodes take out with Chris’s thyroid have tested negative for cancer and we’re crossing our fingers that the rest do too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Rescheduled surgery.

C’s surgery is being rescheduled to Monday, November 18 due to C exhibiting slight cold symptoms this morning.  We’re halfway between bummed and relieved.

It’s cold and snow is expected in Colorado today, so a postponement until C is in tip-top shape isn’t the worst thing.  We continue to be thankful for good health!

The weekend was relaxing and the weather was wonderful.  We dressed up for a costume/bowling birthday party on Friday night as Juno and Paulie Bleeker.  Such fun!

Temps in the mid-sixties led to a leisurely Saturday of packing up some of the guest room (future nursery) and naps on the sofa.  Chris was better at the packing up portion of the day and I was better at the naps.  We dropped some things off at C’s mom’s house and went to Hickory House for bbq – delish!  Sunday afternoon we had family portraits with C’s mom’s family and got makeup done at Bobbi Brown in morning.  In the evening we met for Sunday dinner at Lala’s Pizza and Wine.  A lovely end to the weekend!

I need to get the photo of US at the costume party…must bug the birthday girl.  But this will do for now.  Here’s what we looked like (but we’re a LOT older!)

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