When Sharon had her neck surgery last summer, a lump was discovered in her thyroid. At the time, it was benign enough that the doctors didn’t need to take it out right then, but to be cautious, they did want to observe it. They have observed and come to the conclusion that it must be removed.
Following is an e-mail that Sharon sent to friends and family Friday afternoon.
We FINALLY have a date for thyroid surgery. March 13th at 9:30. It will be at West Park Hospital here in Cody. They had to get both surgeons schedules to match. Here is what is involved.
- It is a “delicate” surgery that will last between three and four hours.
- I will have two surgeons because they are working around the carotid artery, the windpipe, vocal cords, and lots of nerve endings that have to be moved to get to the thyroid. Four eyes and two pairs of hands will help not to nick anything or miss something.
- Once they have removed the left side of the thyroid{that is where the nodule is}, it will be taken by a pathologist to test. He will see if cancer is present. After his evaluation, they will either close me up or if cancer is there, remove the rest of the thyroid.
- I will only be in the hospital a day unless something else comes up. I won’t be talking “much”
for a week or so, then on to recovery and life.
If they take the whole thyroid, I will be on medicine the rest of my life but not anything we can’t handle. I am praying that if cancer is present they see it without a doubt. Then we can precede with what needs to be done. If they are “unsure”, it will be sent off for further tests. That takes three days or so and then if they find cancer, they have to go back in and take the rest out. I would rather not have two surgeries that close together so… I would like for them to have a definite yes or no. 90% of this kind of surgery has no cancer but if we leave it to continue to change and grow, we will have a higher risk the longer it goes. Since it has already changed significantly in six months and the Endocrinologist {our second opinion} said “there is no doubt, get that little bugger out of there” we feel we should proceed.
There is a song that Kate found this winter called Stand Still and Let God Move. I am not a patient person, I want to run ahead and drag God with me but I am learning to wait behind my Lord and see where HE is leading. Not an easy chore for me. I wanted this surgery to be a lot sooner than March 13 so I could get on with what I need to do. After all, I have medical bills to pay, I need to get Circuit Riders scheduled [which seems to be a part of our life still since we have shows booked] we need to hopefully get a new CD out, I need to be making money so we can get out of CC debt and replace some things in the house that are wearing out! I know God knows all of this because I remind HIM everyday in my prayers
…when you are faced with life’s decisions ,not sure which way to go… stand still and let God move.
We have been having special meetings at church this week and learning the many sides of genuine love. In I Corinthians 13 it says that genuine love suffereth long or is patient. I put a note in mine that says to replace the word love with Jesus. Jesus suffereth long…Jesus is patient. Do you suppose Jesus rolls his eyes every time I ask the same thing over and over? I do that with Brad and Scott.
The Father has a plan though it’s hard to see it now. You feel your walking all alone, but he is there no doubt…stand still and let God move.
The pastor said to practice one of these qualities each week to have more of Christ’s love shining through us. I know it is going to take a lot more than one week for me to learn patience but I am so glad my LORD is long suffering and loves me for who I am.
I am done preaching now! Sorry, this all just came spilling out and I hope in some way what Brad and I are going through will help you know we are learning to trust God no matter what.
…you can rest assured and be secured, God is moving right now…Stand Still and Let God Move.
I will keep in touch and let you know how surgery went and what God has in store for us.
Sharon
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