I've got "School Spirit" (and one month post-op)

I am in love with the Crate Paper "School Spirit" line. This weekend with half of my family (Tom and Blake) away on a Scouting trip, I managed to work in some scrap time while Kevin either played or slept.

Our neighbor gave me a couple shots of Kevin from the first day of school. In these photos, he's sitting next to Adam who lives across the street. Kevin has talked about how Adam is his best friend in their class this year. Because of enrollment numbers, it was necessary to add a fifth 3rd grade class. A few students were pulled from each existing classroom to form the new class. Adam was moved. Kevin has commented that he misses seeing Adam, but is thankful that they still have "specials" (art, music, PE) together each day. I used these photos to document that story.

Next, I decided to scrap Kevin ready for school on the first day. Finally, I went back to the end of the last school year. Well, "almost" the end. It was actually the day before the last day, so I gave it the title "The End is Near." Because of work, I wasn't able to be home to see the boys off to school on the last day. Instead, I took advantage of being home the morning before the last day (awards day) and took their photos a day early.

I think this is my new favorite layout. :)

In other news...

It's hard to believe that it's already been a month since my thyroid surgery. I am quite happy with the way my incision healed. Over time it will just blend in with the natural crease in my neck. I am amazed at how much better I feel since my surgery. It was really worth it!

Tom and Blake are back from their trip. They had a great time hiking, but are glad to be home.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week. I can't believe we are a week away from Halloween!

Two weeks post-op...

I knew I had a good surgeon. He did the same surgery on my mom 3-1/2 years ago, and her scar is barely noticeable. Sure, it helps that my ENT is also a plastic surgeon. But I didn't expect to go from this:

to this:

in just two weeks!

One week post -op...

One week ago today...

I went in for surgery.

I woke up with stitches and a drainage tube.

I woke up to hear that 3/4 of my thyroid had been removed and was clear for cancer.



I woke up with three parathyroid glands instead of four.

My voice was a scratchy, near whisper and it hurt to eat and swallow.



Today...

I had my one week post-op follow up.

I had my stitches removed. (The drainage tube was removed the day after surgery before I came home from the hospital.)

My thyroid levels are holding. No need for medication yet.

My calcium levels were a bit high, so I can cut back on my intake. (I need to take calcium "for now" to make up for the missing parathyroid gland.)

My voice is improving every day and my appetite is finally coming back.

I am thankful for good doctors, a loving family and wonderful friends who have helped me get through this ordeal.

Next follow up is in two weeks.

Countdown: 10 days, 9 hours...

After 3-1/2 years of bloodwork, ultrasounds and biopsies, it's finally time for my thyroid (or part of it) to come out. I've known for a couple weeks that it was time to have it removed. Today I found out that insurance has me approved and everything is ready to go for Friday the 24th. It's really going to happen. Soon.

To say I'm terrified is probably an understatement. Just having blood drawn sends me into a panic. I know this is going to be so much more than needles and the sight of blood.

I'm trying to concentrate on the positives. I'll be able to swallow normally. That's a good thing. I shouldn't get choked as often. The knot in my neck will go away (although it will be replaced with a scar). Hopefully the surgery and pathology reports to ease my mind, too.

I'm taking notice of the important things and enjoying them as much as I can until my surgery. I'm also counting my blessings.

:)