No news really. I'm bored silly. I've had a few phone calls which were nice. I'm trying to clean out the DVR. After that I'll attack my DVD collection. I was a bit scared at first about touching stuff and I'm still trying to keep the same path around the house so I only have to wipe down certain things tomorrow. Its really wierd because I feel perfectly fine. I feel like getting out and hitting the big sale at Kohl's. However, instead I'm locked in my house with no one to talk to but the cats. Tomorrow can't come fast enough. You'd think three days kid free would be a wonderful thing and maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I could do something besides internet surf or watch tv. But, ok, fine, I'm still a bit scared about touching stuff. I put butter on a roll today... does that mean I have to throw the tub of butter out? Is my toothbrush going to be radioactive? Do I need to put a new bar of soap in the shower tomorrow? Should I keep shoes on at all times so I don't contaminate the carpet? And then what about my shoes? Do I need to throw them in the wash? Is it ok to fold the chlothes in the dryer? Are the kitties going to be radioactive since they are hanging out at my feet or cuddled next to me on the couch (no matter how many times I push them away)?
These are my burning questions.
Don might come by later and throw a Subway sandwich my way. He can't get within 6 feet of me but it will be nice to see him.
This is all going to be worth it in the end. Really. Three days is nothin compared to getting my life back, right?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
As most of you know, its been a really long year for me (more than a year if you want to get technical). I've been on thyroid medication since June and my numbers are finally where they should be. However, I'm still having some pretty annoying symptoms and I'm down to two options. I can get off the medication and see if I go into remission (most people don't and those who do don't stay there for longer then a couple of months) or I can have radioactive iodine therapy. I've chosen the latter.
Next Wednesday I'll report to the hospital and swallow a radioactive pill. That whole process will take all of 15 minutes. The next day I'll go back and have what's called a radioactive iodine scan and uptake. Its the same test I had when I was first diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Basically its a nuclear image of my thyroid and a measurement of the amount of radiotracer my body absorbs.. Once they get my "uptake" number, they will decide how much radiation I need and will give me another pill. That's when the fun starts. From that point on, I'll be radioactive. I'll have to spend several days isolated from others but the actual number of days depends on the amount of radioactive material they have to give me. Nearly all the radioactive iodine should leave my body in the first two days but according to the hospital I'll have to be separated from the girls for at least three days. My other restrictions include using separate bathroom facilities for several days and flushing twice, washing hands frequently, drink lots of water (to flush the RI out), use plastic eating utensils, sleep alone, launder separately, and don't cook for others (darn!). Guess its a good thing I have that extensive DVD collection I keep meaning to watch!
The point of all of this is to kill my thyroid and make me hypothyroid. That condition comes with its own set of problems but is highly treatable and much more easily controlled than hyperthyroidism. The treatment usually takes one to three months to become effective and maximum benefit will occur between three and six months after treatment. I'll have bloodwork every few weeks until my levels stabalize and then I'll have to take thyroid hormone replacement pills for the rest of my life...
a small price to pay for some normalcy.
As for recovery, some people experience a small amount of pain (like a sore throat) that can be treated with over the counter meds. They also recommend keeping hard candy around to prevent dry mouth. I stocked up on Life Savers today but if anyone comes across a bag of Wild Cherry ones, send them my way please. I'm not fond of all the "new" flavors. I much prefer plain old lemon, lime, orange, and cherry.
If you're not doing anything next Thursday, Friday or Saturday, feel free to call and catch up. I think I'm going to have plenty of time on my hands. And if you don't mind, prayers for the logistical side of all of this and good thoughts in general would be appreciated.
Here's to a happier, healthier Me coming soon!
Feel free to ask questions.
Next Wednesday I'll report to the hospital and swallow a radioactive pill. That whole process will take all of 15 minutes. The next day I'll go back and have what's called a radioactive iodine scan and uptake. Its the same test I had when I was first diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Basically its a nuclear image of my thyroid and a measurement of the amount of radiotracer my body absorbs.. Once they get my "uptake" number, they will decide how much radiation I need and will give me another pill. That's when the fun starts. From that point on, I'll be radioactive. I'll have to spend several days isolated from others but the actual number of days depends on the amount of radioactive material they have to give me. Nearly all the radioactive iodine should leave my body in the first two days but according to the hospital I'll have to be separated from the girls for at least three days. My other restrictions include using separate bathroom facilities for several days and flushing twice, washing hands frequently, drink lots of water (to flush the RI out), use plastic eating utensils, sleep alone, launder separately, and don't cook for others (darn!). Guess its a good thing I have that extensive DVD collection I keep meaning to watch!
The point of all of this is to kill my thyroid and make me hypothyroid. That condition comes with its own set of problems but is highly treatable and much more easily controlled than hyperthyroidism. The treatment usually takes one to three months to become effective and maximum benefit will occur between three and six months after treatment. I'll have bloodwork every few weeks until my levels stabalize and then I'll have to take thyroid hormone replacement pills for the rest of my life...
a small price to pay for some normalcy.
As for recovery, some people experience a small amount of pain (like a sore throat) that can be treated with over the counter meds. They also recommend keeping hard candy around to prevent dry mouth. I stocked up on Life Savers today but if anyone comes across a bag of Wild Cherry ones, send them my way please. I'm not fond of all the "new" flavors. I much prefer plain old lemon, lime, orange, and cherry.
If you're not doing anything next Thursday, Friday or Saturday, feel free to call and catch up. I think I'm going to have plenty of time on my hands. And if you don't mind, prayers for the logistical side of all of this and good thoughts in general would be appreciated.
Here's to a happier, healthier Me coming soon!
Feel free to ask questions.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Dear Sweet Baby of Mine,
I know, I know, you’re not a baby anymore. You remind me of that often. But you’ll always be My Baby. You have brought so much joy to our family in the last three years. Your sweet smile and giggly laugh are contagious. Your eyes twinkle when you smile just like your Daddy’s. God has truly given you such a warm loving spirit and it shows in everything you do. I love that you love to cuddle as much as you do. It just melts my heart when you snuggle in next to me and say “Mommy, I want chu”.
You are a lover of music. You sing and dance constantly and are always asking me to play your cd’s in the car. You especially love Laurie Berkner, Sesame Street and most recently, the Wiggles. However, Sesame Street still gets played the most out of all of them. You and Ernie both have a deep love for your rubber duckies.
I got a sweet compliment about you at church yesterday. The classroom workers said you are the most well behaved, sweetest kid they have in class. I gave a nervous laugh and said thank you thinking they must say that to everyone but they both piped up and said, no really, we mean that. You are so sweet to your friends. You’re only three so sharing is still an issue at times but if someone is crying, you’re the kid who goes up and wants to know what’s wrong and tells them its going to be ok. Let’s see, your best friends are Abby, Zander, Jake Jake, and Kellan. You and Abby and Zander are inseparable at school.
At three you know your ABC’s and know what sound most of the letters make (thank you Word World!). You can count to 20 but for some reason you don’t like the number 16. You really do have nice manners for a toddler always saying please and thank you. You loooove puzzles! You have several 25 piece puzzles hidden under your crib and they are pulled out and played with daily. Your Great Uncle Bill thinks you may have engineering skills after watching you figure out where each piece goes. Maybe that means you’ll be good at math too. Let’s hope so! You love the computer and play on your Noggin games or on Sesame Street .com every day. You can navigate those websites almost as well as your Sissy. You adore your Rose Petal Cottage and your baby dolls / stuffed animals. You are always putting someone down for a nap, feeding them breakfast, or changing a diaper. Your imaginary world is so fun to be a part of!
You and Kayla are best buddies. I love watching the two of you all sleepy eyed in the morning, curled up in your blankets in front of the TV watching Curious George. Your Sissy is a great helper and loves to make your breakfast and play with you and she’s even trying to help you get potty trained…. yeah, that’s a slow going process but we’re gonna keep working on it. They won’t let you into kindergarten in diapers Kiddo!
This has been a hard year for us all as Daddy is away a lot and we’re still trying to get the house ready to sell. You’ve learned what it means to miss someone and it breaks my heart to hear you say you want Daddy. I do too sweetie. I do too. We’ll all be back together soon. Yesterday you woke up before he left. I think he was happy to be able to give you another birthday hug. I know how sad he is not to be able to be with you today. He has his phone alarm set for 1:30 though so that he can be on the phone with us at 1:33. Your Daddy is sweet like that. We’re all just so blessed.
My Gracie Girl, Graceapottamus, Gracie Bear Bear, you are loved. My cup runneth over with love for you my sweet Baby girl. Happy Happy Happy Birthday. May all your dreams come true.
Love,
Mama
I know, I know, you’re not a baby anymore. You remind me of that often. But you’ll always be My Baby. You have brought so much joy to our family in the last three years. Your sweet smile and giggly laugh are contagious. Your eyes twinkle when you smile just like your Daddy’s. God has truly given you such a warm loving spirit and it shows in everything you do. I love that you love to cuddle as much as you do. It just melts my heart when you snuggle in next to me and say “Mommy, I want chu”.
You are a lover of music. You sing and dance constantly and are always asking me to play your cd’s in the car. You especially love Laurie Berkner, Sesame Street and most recently, the Wiggles. However, Sesame Street still gets played the most out of all of them. You and Ernie both have a deep love for your rubber duckies.
I got a sweet compliment about you at church yesterday. The classroom workers said you are the most well behaved, sweetest kid they have in class. I gave a nervous laugh and said thank you thinking they must say that to everyone but they both piped up and said, no really, we mean that. You are so sweet to your friends. You’re only three so sharing is still an issue at times but if someone is crying, you’re the kid who goes up and wants to know what’s wrong and tells them its going to be ok. Let’s see, your best friends are Abby, Zander, Jake Jake, and Kellan. You and Abby and Zander are inseparable at school.
At three you know your ABC’s and know what sound most of the letters make (thank you Word World!). You can count to 20 but for some reason you don’t like the number 16. You really do have nice manners for a toddler always saying please and thank you. You loooove puzzles! You have several 25 piece puzzles hidden under your crib and they are pulled out and played with daily. Your Great Uncle Bill thinks you may have engineering skills after watching you figure out where each piece goes. Maybe that means you’ll be good at math too. Let’s hope so! You love the computer and play on your Noggin games or on Sesame Street .com every day. You can navigate those websites almost as well as your Sissy. You adore your Rose Petal Cottage and your baby dolls / stuffed animals. You are always putting someone down for a nap, feeding them breakfast, or changing a diaper. Your imaginary world is so fun to be a part of!
You and Kayla are best buddies. I love watching the two of you all sleepy eyed in the morning, curled up in your blankets in front of the TV watching Curious George. Your Sissy is a great helper and loves to make your breakfast and play with you and she’s even trying to help you get potty trained…. yeah, that’s a slow going process but we’re gonna keep working on it. They won’t let you into kindergarten in diapers Kiddo!
This has been a hard year for us all as Daddy is away a lot and we’re still trying to get the house ready to sell. You’ve learned what it means to miss someone and it breaks my heart to hear you say you want Daddy. I do too sweetie. I do too. We’ll all be back together soon. Yesterday you woke up before he left. I think he was happy to be able to give you another birthday hug. I know how sad he is not to be able to be with you today. He has his phone alarm set for 1:30 though so that he can be on the phone with us at 1:33. Your Daddy is sweet like that. We’re all just so blessed.
My Gracie Girl, Graceapottamus, Gracie Bear Bear, you are loved. My cup runneth over with love for you my sweet Baby girl. Happy Happy Happy Birthday. May all your dreams come true.
Love,
Mama
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