I had been doing enormous amounts of research since being informed of a nodule on my daughter’s thyroid by an ER physician after a softball accident and ensuing CT scan. The information was unending and somewhat unnerving even for me, a 20 year-plus nurse. Through the research, and my intuition, I knew we needed to do further testing and we did. Cheyenne had an ultrasound, a thyroid uptake scan and lab work. Ultimately, we learned the nodule had the potential to be very serious, it had a blood supply, was solid and had "micro-calcifications." So, yes I was scared to death for my child.
We've talked about the diagnostic exams, but not much about the lab work. Chey's family doctor is an internist and initially he ordered labs to check the thyroid. He also ordered an antibody test that could show if cancer cells were present. I had forgotten about the tests until Alli called Friday (the 13th go figure) and asked if we could get them drawn in Comanche. She was quite surprised to learn that they had already been drawn. I promised to fax them immediately. Well, of course, this had to mean the labs were significant and Momma Bear came roaring back and pounced. The regular thyroid panel was normal but the antithyroglobulin antibody test showed a "low positive." Crap, normal is negative (no number) and she had one, low but it was there. I talked to our doctor and he said it was really low and to wait until we consulted with Dr. Athanassaki as well as the results of the other portion of the test.
So, here we go nail biting, sick stomach time again! We waited all through the weekend and finally on Tuesday we got the thyroglobulin (ICMA) result. It was 76. All I could think was Damn, Damn, Damn. Another piece falling into place against us, we couldn't get a break. I didn't tell my husband or Cheyenne this result but I spent time talking with my office manager. She was very supportive and allowed the mom in me to bawl like a baby before settling me down and telling me to wait and not jump to conclusions, no matter how bad the picture seemed. I swear, I was like Jekyll and Hyde those days, but she helped me keep my sanity. Thanks Jeanette, it meant the world!
All this time Chey was on Spring Break so she wasn't missing school but she was missing her beloved softball and that was so gut wrenching to watch. On one hand it was good for her to rest, but I wish the kids would have visited, this would become the norm though in the long run. I think it would have helped her deal with the emotional battle more effectively. She would cry out in her sleep mumbling about cancer and statistics nearly every night, way too much baggage for a seventeen-year-old kid to handle! In the waking hours though, you'd never know and I, to this day, don't think she had any recollection each morning.
I took off work early on Tuesday so Chey and I could take the drive leisurely. She has a thing about historical markers, so we stopped many times for her to read. It was calming for her and sometimes during the drive, I would get glimpses of the Chey before the "C" word. She was laughing and playing all the Disney songs on her playlist while we sang and acted out parts to each one. We had to be a site, if anybody was looking that is. We pulled into Houston in the early evening, checked into the hotel (thanks Jodi) and had a light dinner. Chey's defenses kicked in and she became very solemn and begged for an early night. Even though there were two beds, she snuggled right in with me and that was fine by me!
Next time; The Incredible Dr.A and Alli Too.
XXOO Make Everyday Count,
Bonnie
No comments:
Post a Comment