2 boys and a girl: March 2011

I went to my thyroid dr. on a couple of weeks ago- looking forward to having the alcohol ablation done to get rid of these darn cysts once and for all. Sadly, it was not meant to be. During the ultrasound, he found a tumor- probably the same one we had been watching for some time now but it has always been somewhat of a cyst and too small to biopsy. Not this time. It was no longer a cyst- just a tumor and it had grown and had LOTS of blood activity going on inside.
Luckily results came back last week- no cancer! Phew! I was about to lose my mind- between worrying about that and my upcoming hysterectomy. Then worrying that the cancer would interfere with me getting my hysterectomy. Then about how I STILL have not written a will....Well it was all good news. I DO still have to have surgery that willprobably remove half my thyroid because those cysts keep coming back and I have SO many of them. It is possible that I won't need to take thyroid medication if my other half works well.
Then the story of the hysterectomy: Had all the tests I needed to have, then had an appointment with the doctor to discuss what he planned to do about the prolapse during the hysterectomy. Well in the last month, I have done a massive amount of research and knew that they typically try to use mesh to correct a prolapse- it is strong and does work, BUT it can erode and cause adhesions, and they way your skin grows into the mesh, it isn't something that can just be easily removed if you do have problems- and the issues that mesh can cause can be devistating. No not everyone has problems with it, but the ones that do- it's bad news. The FDA even has a warning about the stuff!
Back to the dr appt- I told him about my concerns and he FREAKED OUT! He was so mad that I had done any research and knew anything other than what HE was telling me. He did not like that I had my own opinion on my treatment. Truly, I felt like I was in the principals office being yelled at for cheating. What's more- he wanted to wrap my entire insides with that stuff! I walked away from that appointment terrified because I was scheduled for a very invasive surgery that would be doing all sorts of things I didn't want done. I felt it would be a dreadful mistake. I came home and talked to Jim about it and thankfully he did not think I was overreacting- he urged me to get a 2nd opinion ASAP. Thankfully I did.
Dr#2 was wonderful. He understood my fears of using mesh- said it was a reasonable fear, and he said he wouldn't use any (except for a small strip for a bladder sling- I am okay with that) He also would do laproscopic surgery (dr 1 wanted to cut me open abdominally), and instead of mesh he will just use good old fashioned stitches. There is one spot that is particularly bad but I suggested that he use a porcine graft (pig) in that area to reinforce it in place of the mesh (told you I had done lots of research!) and he agreed that that would work well if I was okay about using it and I am. AND it gets even better- he was able to get me in for surgery the same week that it was originally scheduled- 1 day earlier actually!!! Hooray! Before leaving, I even told him that I loved him- he made me so happy!
So now back to preparing the house, getting it cleaned up, and planning Ethan's birthday party for the weekend before surgery. I need to show Ethan how to turn on the oven, load the dishwasher, and things like that since he will be helping out alot once he gets home from school/before Jim gets home. He is a great nurse and babysitter so I know he will get everything done that I need. I can't believe he is going to be 11!