Hello again! We are back to sharing the details of our journey after our teenage daughter, Cheyenne, was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. As I tell people often, Chey was one of the lucky ones and they look at me like I'm nuts! (I am a little bit). How in the world could and would you say you are lucky after someone you love is diagnosed with cancer? Well, let me explain. In Chey's case, her tumor was on the backside of her thyroid and was not able to be felt by touch. She didn't have an obvious lump that could be seen. Most of the time, per thyca.org, pediatric and teenage papillary thyroid cancers are more advanced at the time of diagnosis than it is with adults with the same disease. The majority of children with papillary thyroid cancer have local spread to the lymph nodes of the neck at the time the thyroid cancer is diagnosed. About 10% to 20% of the children have distant metastases, most commonly to the lung, compared with only 5% of the adults with this disease. The site says that in the fifteen to nineteen age group, only 15.4 out of a million get this cancer each year. So in summary, by Chey having her softball accident and ending up in the ER, her cancer was found very early, before any obvious symptoms appeared – and thus she was one of the lucky ones. This is what keeps me going, the thought that, ‘We found it early so we can fight.’
We headed back to Houston, to Texas Children's Hospital on April 1st, 2015. We were staying at the Ronald McDonald -Holcombe House, this time, instead of the costly hotel, what a relief! Like many people, we have health insurance but you don't realize how much you have to pay out of pocket until you have a major health problem. First you have deductibles, which have to be met before the plan picks up anything. Then you have out of pocket to meet and many plans, like mine, have different levels of coverage - mine has four of them and Texas Children's is in my third level. You're already paying out the nose for the premiums then bam, you realize how it all really works and you start sweating. We were fortunate though, my daughters employer, Dublin Golden Chick, and my co-workers both organized fundraisers during this stressful time and alleviated much of that initial financial burden. Thanks CCMC (Jeanette) and David and Debra Connor for lessening that worry!
To stay at a Ronald McDonald House, you have to be referred by either a TMC Healthcare Provider or Social Worker before your first stay. They run a background check on everyone eighteen or over and once you pass, you are put on a request list. They have fifty rooms, each with 2 queen beds and a bathroom. Families with children 21 or under that are being treated in a Texas Medical Center member institution are eligible, you pay $25 a night and can stay up to 45 days each time. We checked in, paid our fee and were given instructions. Each family that stays is given a list of chores. This is what helps keep cost down. It is specific about how your room will be cleaned and your duties. We were assigned a trash detail and an area of the four-unit kitchen to clean. The kitchen reminded me of a home economics classroom in high school. The four stations each had two stove/oven units, a double sink and countertop. The two sidewalls shone with stainless steel from the refrigerator/freezer units. Each set was labeled with room numbers and yours to use for the stay. At the back of the room, a countertop stretched side to side. There were breakfast breads, toasters, cereal containers, rolls of tin foil and plastic wrap, spices, and dry staples lining the entire top. At the back of the right wall, there was a ceiling to floor cabinet full of cooking ware. It was all very used and brought tears to my eyes at the thought of how many families had traveled through these doors, used these pots and pans while not knowing if their child would survive their battle. Over time, I would learn that God gives parents a Teflon coating, just like the pans so we can just keep on cooking - day after day no matter how hot the fire was.
The next morning, we went over to the hospital for Chey's ultrasound. She and I went into the room and a female technician did the ultrasound, just like the first one she had. The tech didn't say much, she just did her job and soon we were done. The next stop would be Dr. Wesson, surgeon extraordinaire. Now I'm sure you remember that throughout this journey I had developed a serious relationship with my dear friend, Dr. Google. Earlier, we had put our heads together and researched surgeons. The majority of the literature we discovered stated that there was a better outcome when a high volume surgeon performed the surgery. On the TCH website, there was a wealth of information available. There are 80 full-time pediatric-focused pediatric surgeons on staff that perform more than 25,000 cases a year and we were about to meet the Chief of the Department of Surgery, another God thing in my opinion!
We were checked in and then led to a little room, not much different than that of Dr. Athanassaki's. There was a table, a couple chairs, a desk with a computer monitor on it and a stool. We waited patiently and I kept going over my numerous questions in my head. I also was wondering about Dr. Wesson's personality. Was he outgoing? Was he going to be so intellectual that we couldn't understand him? Would he be willing to give us an honest opinion of her prognosis? What if he was so aloof that we were uncomfortable? I was so nervous, (surgeons in general do this to me for some unknown reason) I felt like I could vomit. Then here he was. He is a small framed gentleman (don't shoot me Dr. Wesson) and reminded me somewhat of Don Knotts in 'The Ghost and Mr. Chicken", with just a little more fullness in his face (I love that movie btw.) Anyway, he was in a shirt and tie under a brilliantly white lab coat.
'Yay,' I thought. ‘He pays attention to the little details.'
We rose from our seats as he entered the room and he immediately extended his hand in greeting as he introduced himself. In my usual way, I grabbed him in a hug and I think shocked him a little bit but alas, no - he had been forewarned! He stepped back a little and placed his hand on his chest and then gestured for us to take a seat as he moved to his stool and did the same. He then informed us he had heard we were huggers. Lol, he had a twinkle in his eye and a sense of humor and the nausea receded, at least for now. After the introductions were taken care of, he went right into detailing the next day's schedule.
"Would you mind if I examined you?" He asked Cheyenne.
She smiled and said, "Not at all", as she climbed onto the exam table.
Dr. Wesson's hands fit his frame and he appeared to have a very light touch as he palpated Chey's neck. "I am unable to feel the nodule and I most likely wouldn't have on a routine exam either."
He asked about other symptoms and Chey said almost questioningly, "I have had some hoarseness for awhile, but everyone thought it was my allergies. I guess with what we know now, it could be from the nodule, maybe."
Dr. Wesson then sat back down and we discussed the possible parathyroid involvement and damage, like we had with Dr. A. He used a visual aid to show the anatomy and I got down on my knees and moved closer to his desk. Ed and Chey told me later that as I moved closer to him, he rolled back. Sorry, Dr Wesson!
"We will be monitoring you frequently for hypocalcemia (low calcium ) after surgery." He continued, "Sometimes one or more of the parathyroid glands can accidentally be removed with the thyroid gland or damaged. I will do my best to avoid them."
He went on to explain how delicate these little guys are and how important they are for your body. Low calcium levels can cause muscle cramps, tingling, numbness or burning to fingers, toes or face. They aid in your bodies ability to clot blood. They have a pretty important job! I informed him that Dr. Athanassaki prescribed a calcium supplement some time ago in preparation for this possible complication, he wasn't at all surprised. That was the exact reason we chose this facility, for the team approach. I was so relieved; everyone was doing their part in this huge undertaking to treat my child! He told us it would be a long surgery and not to worry about the time. He showed Chey how he would try and follow a natural crease in her neck, (not much in this lean child) to hide the scar.
Then a much more relaxed gentleman, whom I liked immensely by this point, rolled toward us and said "I will see you in the morning."
We left after the nurse gave us instructions for the following morning and headed back to the Ronald McDonald house for rest, reflection and time to gather our strength for tomorrow's battle.
Next time, #cheykickingcancersbutt
XXOO Make Everyday Count,
Bonnie
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