Surgery Update

OK, so a more thorough update... *(This is Asher, Missy's husband, posting this...)

Surgery is over and afterwards, we spoke with the surgeon. She removed Missy’s thyroid gland and a couple of lymph nodes. Initial pathology verified 100% (vs 95% from the biopsy) that it was thyroid cancer. We will not know until Friday the results of the complete path report which will identify the exact type of cancer: they suspect it may be a more aggressive case than normal. The pathology test on the removed lymph nodes will identify if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, which would indicate the possibility of whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body; however, it does not necessarily rule it out. Missy will have to go back into the hospital in about a month to get a radioiodine treatment and a body scan. The body scan will verify if there has been any spread or not. We had hoped that we would find out that there was no spread, but it looks like we still have to wait. Because of the fact that thyroid cancer is a slow growing type, there is optimism that if it has indeed spread, it should still be very much treatable.

Thankfully, Missy's vocal chords sound undamaged. Also, our doctor is a champ: we couldn't be happier with her. We are happy that Missy's scar is very small (maybe 4-5" long along the base of her neck, just about where a t-shirt comes up to. We are so thankful to have family and friends here helping out, and Gaia and Presley seem unphased by what's going on.

It seems that the difficult part is over with (at least in terms of what is difficult for the doctors). The next month or so will be difficult for Missy. She'll need to soon be off her thyroid medication, and in a month, will do the scan and radioiodine treatment, which will basically mean she's radioactive for a few days, so no one can get near her, and it will leave her feeling pretty "puny," in the words of the doctor. Hopefully, that will be all that is required, but it's very much a "wait & see" kinda thing...

I'm reminded of CS Lewis, and his words, "It's not that we are doubting that God has the best in store for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."

Please continue your prayers and support of Missy. Her biggest blessing lately, and really a huge source of strength, is kind words and gestures from friends. You all have no idea how much mileage we get out of every little facebook comment, email, phone call, or visit. Thank you!

We love you,

Asher