Shortly after I had landed in Vegas for my vacation on Monday, I received a phone call from my Otolaryngologist, he’s requesting that I see an Endocrinologist and have an ultrasound done on my neck to see if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck as well.  That appt. is currently scheduled for the 16th. After which they’ll know how much needs to be removed during the surgery. I don’t know yet when the surgery will be, but he did say it will take all day.

He also told me of all risks involved with this type of surgery. Including all the nerves that control your shoulder, and the vocal cords. Yes! Just what I wanted to hear on my first day in Vegas.  He then went on to say that those issues are fairly rare and I shouldn’t worry about it.  That’s a slight relief, I guess…

I’ve been trying to keep my mind off of the issue this week, but it’s rather difficult.  I greatly appreciate all of the messages, emails, and texts that I’ve received in the last week or so.  I don’t think I’ll ever be able to show you all how much it really means to hear the kind thoughts that you’ve all shared, but please know it’s not going unnoticed even if I don’t reply.

The Doctor did tell me that of all the various types of cancer that this is the second best one to get (next to small forms of skin cancer).  It seems that once the infected parts are removed things will go back to normal.  With daily medication of course to replace the hormones that are no longer being created.  So while I understand the positive side of things, I’m still scared. 

I’ll do another post when I have more information.

Enjoy the life you have and the friends and family you have around you. Let them know how much you appreciate the relationship you have with them.