My Recovery

First of all let me say that I am sorry for being so worthless at blogging. When I started out, I used the blog often, but after I began a discussion group on facebook my computer time began to be laregly spent on that endeavor instead. Maybe in the coming weeks I will do better. But I don't blame any of you out there who have given up on this blog.

The main reason for my delay in posting has been the surgery I had two weeks ago today. It was a thyroid cancer surgery which lasted 3 and a half hours. I had my thyroid removed in 2004, but cancer has sustained itself in lymph nodes of the past 3+ years. On April 11, 2008, an ultrasound provided us with specific information as to the location of the cancer. Needle biopsy procedures confirmed this information, and surgery was scheduled.

On May 13, I received a procedure known as a selective neck disection. This included work from my earlobe and jawline all the way down into my chest. 35 lymph nodes were removed, including scar tissue and other tissues that the cancer could invade. This week we received the results from post-surgery testing, and only 2 of the 35 lymph nodes were found to have any cancer in them. This is good news for now. Hopefully the cancer will not return, but only time will tell.

As for me, I am moving very slowly. I am numb from just above my right jaw all the way down into my chest on the right side. I cannot move my right arm well, and it will take some weeks and months for things to return to normal again. It doesn't look like there is anything wrong with me, and so people probably will expect me to be more active than I can be. But I am very thankful to God for his providencial care, and for my friends and family who have prayed for me and helped me. This has been a good expereince overall, including highs and lows, but it has made me appreciate the things that really matter. It has caused me to think about some more changes I need to make spiritually, and to pray for the ability to continue to work for my family and for the church.

So, this is a summary of my recovery. May God bless each one of you and may He allow you good health and ability. Don't ever underestimate the daily blessings. I have learned to appreciate the little things we are allowed to do most of all.