This is the note that I wrote:
You are the juice to my orange.
You are the sizzle to my bacon.
You are the jam to my toast.
You are the whites to my eggs.
I LOVE YOU RY-RY!!
<3 Lacy
He was pretty surprised!! :)
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Bed in Breakfast
My hubby is the bestest friend I could ever have! He does so much for me and he is always there when I need him so I decided that I would give back by showing him how much I appreciate what he does for me. I made him breakfast in bed this morning :)
The Scary C Word!!!
Cancer is such a scary word to hear uttered from the mouth of a doctor.
About 5 or 6 years ago, I began my journey with the thyroid in an unlikely place..the gynecologist's office. During my well woman exam, he was checking out my neck when he discovered that things did not feel right. SO..he referred me to an ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat doctor), who happened to be the doctor to take my tonsils out(Small world)! The ENT decided that the money was in plastic surgery and randomly switched to making people plastic so I was referred to an endocrinologist (doctor that specializes in the glands that regulate the body).
His name should have been an indication into what I would experience (Dr. Fears). He can be a very good doctor that is thorough, and I have been with him for about 5 or 6 years. The issue I was having was the fact that I was not getting any answers as to what was causing all of these problems I was experiencing. I've dealt with some hair loss, my hair feeling dry, frizzy, and brittle, losing hair in my eyebrows, crazy mood swings, out of whack cycles, significant amounts of weight gain, an intolerance to heat, messed up sleep patterns, not being able to shed pounds when I try, and fatigue.
Dr. Fears would take blood samples to check my levels and ultrasound my thyroid. In the 5 or 6 years that I was with him, all I knew was that I had 5 nodules on my thyroid and a condition he labeled multi-nodular goiters. Dr. Fears performed one biopsy on me to check for cancer in my lower nodule on the right side of my thyroid. Unfortunately, in the middle of the procedure, I had a panic attack! Luckily, he got enough fluid to test and the results came back negative. Whew! BUT the panic attack scared me since it came out of nowhere so there was about a year or two that I lived in fear of having to do another biopsy so I would cancel my appointments and not go.
I felt like he blamed me for the weight gain I was experiencing. He put me on Atkins and I lost 10 lbs. but plateaued after that. Once I started eating normal..I got sick as a dog! Then, he put me on Weight Watchers and I lost about 5 or 10 lbs. but once again I was faced with the issue of plateauing. I was so discouraged and feeling hopeless about ever losing weight. He constantly reminded me of the risk of gestational diabetes if I were ever to become pregnant.
I needed help and I needed answers! Something to make me feel sane and like it wasn't all of my fault. I decided to switch doctors. 4 months ago, I started going to UT Southwestern. I loved my doctor right away! She is understanding and listens to my concerns. She collected data from my paperwork and what I had to share. Since I've found out about my thyroid..I've learned about how rampant thyroid trouble is in my family! I didn't realize I came from a long line of thyroid issues.
Anywho...she ran blood tests and an ultrasound on my thyroid. She ruled out Cushing's Disease. I found out that I have hypothyroidism (my thyroid is UNDER-active). FINALLY!! I have an answer!! The ultrasound caused some concern for her though and she decided that it would be best for me to endure a biopsy on my thyroid AND this time...I would have Adavan (Ativan--anxiety medicine) to help me get through the procedure.
I really wasn't worried or concerned about the results because I knew that everything would come back fine. As a young person, I tend to think in invincibility terms--Oh! It happens to everyone else but ME! Regardless of the cold hard evidence of thyroid cancer and thyroid conditions running on both sides of the family.
The day of the biopsy..I was NERVOUS!! My anxiety was pretty high (like a 7 out of a 10). I took the Adavan 20-25 minutes before the procedure. I had to do an ultrasound and I guess the combo of my nerves, the medicine, and having to experience blood rushing to my head for 10 minutes was too much for my stomach. I threw up! Luckily, I felt better and was able to proceed with the biopsy. About the third or fourth time, the needle was starting to really hurt my neck, but I was handling it like a champ..thanks to the medicine kicking in.
2 Mondays ago, my doctor called to talk to me about the results, but I was busy working on a huge paper and didn't get the call until late. I called her back the next day and had to wait on her to call me back. She told me that the doctor biopsied my entire left side of my thyroid. The middle nodule was atypical and the top and bottom nodule were cancerous. I was focused on writing down the information and cancerous registered in my brain as: It could be cancer, but we really don't know. She started talking about meeting with a surgeon and discussing the removal of my thyroid gland. I was like--PUMP THE BRAKES...WHAT?!?!?! I asked her if I legitly had cancer and she confirmed it. All I could do was cry! All I could think about was chemo and radiation and hair falling out and throwing up and .....possibly DYING!! I think anyone automatically goes to those images when they hear the word CANCER. She told me I have papillary thyroid cancer and it is curable...that my prognosis is great! All I have to do is have the whole thing removed. Before I got off the phone, she made sure I was okay. I wanted to be off the phone as soon as she told me so I could tell my nana. Fortunately, a co-worker happened to be in the room when I found out the news.
My uncle is a doctor and he happen to be getting ready to fly back home with his family when I got the news. I made sure to go straight to him. I broke down and tried to tell him what I found out. He helped me look on the bright side--at least I would be finally losing weight! Nana found out and made sure to inform my papa and Aunt Dina. She had me go over to her house to stay with them. She knew if I was left alone to my own devices that I would end up crying myself to sleep and feeling the lowest of the low. I thought I needed to be alone, but I needed people more than ever! I told my Aunt Jenny and she responded from a detached doctor perspective, which rubbed me the wrong way.
My Aunt Dina was my saving grace that day. She reminded me of the strength I would find through Christ and the research she found was promising. She helped me to laugh and smile. I began to feel a peace that everything is going to be okay. God is going to be with me through this process and He will help me to heal after the surgery. I spent the day calling my closest family and friends before I announced it on Facebook later that evening.
This past week, I've gone to the doctor three times! I had to meet with the surgeon, schedule the surgery, get put on anxiety meds, get antibiotics for my sinus infection, and get another ultrasound to check my lymph nodes.
I try to take each day as it comes. It takes everything in me to hold it together in order to make it through school. The news came in blessed timing because I don't know how I would handle news like that during the beginning or middle of the semester. Grad school is hard enough without having cancer to complicate things. It has been SO hard to focus in school and get my projects done! I have felt loved with all of the prayer requests and support!!
The pre-op will be December 28th and the surgery will be January 4th (YaY! After the holidays!!). I have to check-in at like 5AM...crazy! I might as well not go to bed lol. My recovery time is 2 weeks. I'm hoping and praying it does not interfere with my first week of school in the Spring. I might have to miss it if I still feel bad.
Ryan's been taking it hard and I know he worries about losing his best friend. He tries to think of all angles so death naturally comes to mind. Not for me! It takes all I can do to focus on what needs to be done for today! I pray that his heart and mind will be eased as time passes.
I know I can get through this, but I know I will never forget that Tuesday afternoon when my life changed forever!
About 5 or 6 years ago, I began my journey with the thyroid in an unlikely place..the gynecologist's office. During my well woman exam, he was checking out my neck when he discovered that things did not feel right. SO..he referred me to an ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat doctor), who happened to be the doctor to take my tonsils out(Small world)! The ENT decided that the money was in plastic surgery and randomly switched to making people plastic so I was referred to an endocrinologist (doctor that specializes in the glands that regulate the body).
His name should have been an indication into what I would experience (Dr. Fears). He can be a very good doctor that is thorough, and I have been with him for about 5 or 6 years. The issue I was having was the fact that I was not getting any answers as to what was causing all of these problems I was experiencing. I've dealt with some hair loss, my hair feeling dry, frizzy, and brittle, losing hair in my eyebrows, crazy mood swings, out of whack cycles, significant amounts of weight gain, an intolerance to heat, messed up sleep patterns, not being able to shed pounds when I try, and fatigue.
Dr. Fears would take blood samples to check my levels and ultrasound my thyroid. In the 5 or 6 years that I was with him, all I knew was that I had 5 nodules on my thyroid and a condition he labeled multi-nodular goiters. Dr. Fears performed one biopsy on me to check for cancer in my lower nodule on the right side of my thyroid. Unfortunately, in the middle of the procedure, I had a panic attack! Luckily, he got enough fluid to test and the results came back negative. Whew! BUT the panic attack scared me since it came out of nowhere so there was about a year or two that I lived in fear of having to do another biopsy so I would cancel my appointments and not go.
I felt like he blamed me for the weight gain I was experiencing. He put me on Atkins and I lost 10 lbs. but plateaued after that. Once I started eating normal..I got sick as a dog! Then, he put me on Weight Watchers and I lost about 5 or 10 lbs. but once again I was faced with the issue of plateauing. I was so discouraged and feeling hopeless about ever losing weight. He constantly reminded me of the risk of gestational diabetes if I were ever to become pregnant.
I needed help and I needed answers! Something to make me feel sane and like it wasn't all of my fault. I decided to switch doctors. 4 months ago, I started going to UT Southwestern. I loved my doctor right away! She is understanding and listens to my concerns. She collected data from my paperwork and what I had to share. Since I've found out about my thyroid..I've learned about how rampant thyroid trouble is in my family! I didn't realize I came from a long line of thyroid issues.
Anywho...she ran blood tests and an ultrasound on my thyroid. She ruled out Cushing's Disease. I found out that I have hypothyroidism (my thyroid is UNDER-active). FINALLY!! I have an answer!! The ultrasound caused some concern for her though and she decided that it would be best for me to endure a biopsy on my thyroid AND this time...I would have Adavan (Ativan--anxiety medicine) to help me get through the procedure.
I really wasn't worried or concerned about the results because I knew that everything would come back fine. As a young person, I tend to think in invincibility terms--Oh! It happens to everyone else but ME! Regardless of the cold hard evidence of thyroid cancer and thyroid conditions running on both sides of the family.
The day of the biopsy..I was NERVOUS!! My anxiety was pretty high (like a 7 out of a 10). I took the Adavan 20-25 minutes before the procedure. I had to do an ultrasound and I guess the combo of my nerves, the medicine, and having to experience blood rushing to my head for 10 minutes was too much for my stomach. I threw up! Luckily, I felt better and was able to proceed with the biopsy. About the third or fourth time, the needle was starting to really hurt my neck, but I was handling it like a champ..thanks to the medicine kicking in.
2 Mondays ago, my doctor called to talk to me about the results, but I was busy working on a huge paper and didn't get the call until late. I called her back the next day and had to wait on her to call me back. She told me that the doctor biopsied my entire left side of my thyroid. The middle nodule was atypical and the top and bottom nodule were cancerous. I was focused on writing down the information and cancerous registered in my brain as: It could be cancer, but we really don't know. She started talking about meeting with a surgeon and discussing the removal of my thyroid gland. I was like--PUMP THE BRAKES...WHAT?!?!?! I asked her if I legitly had cancer and she confirmed it. All I could do was cry! All I could think about was chemo and radiation and hair falling out and throwing up and .....possibly DYING!! I think anyone automatically goes to those images when they hear the word CANCER. She told me I have papillary thyroid cancer and it is curable...that my prognosis is great! All I have to do is have the whole thing removed. Before I got off the phone, she made sure I was okay. I wanted to be off the phone as soon as she told me so I could tell my nana. Fortunately, a co-worker happened to be in the room when I found out the news.
My uncle is a doctor and he happen to be getting ready to fly back home with his family when I got the news. I made sure to go straight to him. I broke down and tried to tell him what I found out. He helped me look on the bright side--at least I would be finally losing weight! Nana found out and made sure to inform my papa and Aunt Dina. She had me go over to her house to stay with them. She knew if I was left alone to my own devices that I would end up crying myself to sleep and feeling the lowest of the low. I thought I needed to be alone, but I needed people more than ever! I told my Aunt Jenny and she responded from a detached doctor perspective, which rubbed me the wrong way.
My Aunt Dina was my saving grace that day. She reminded me of the strength I would find through Christ and the research she found was promising. She helped me to laugh and smile. I began to feel a peace that everything is going to be okay. God is going to be with me through this process and He will help me to heal after the surgery. I spent the day calling my closest family and friends before I announced it on Facebook later that evening.
This past week, I've gone to the doctor three times! I had to meet with the surgeon, schedule the surgery, get put on anxiety meds, get antibiotics for my sinus infection, and get another ultrasound to check my lymph nodes.
I try to take each day as it comes. It takes everything in me to hold it together in order to make it through school. The news came in blessed timing because I don't know how I would handle news like that during the beginning or middle of the semester. Grad school is hard enough without having cancer to complicate things. It has been SO hard to focus in school and get my projects done! I have felt loved with all of the prayer requests and support!!
The pre-op will be December 28th and the surgery will be January 4th (YaY! After the holidays!!). I have to check-in at like 5AM...crazy! I might as well not go to bed lol. My recovery time is 2 weeks. I'm hoping and praying it does not interfere with my first week of school in the Spring. I might have to miss it if I still feel bad.
Ryan's been taking it hard and I know he worries about losing his best friend. He tries to think of all angles so death naturally comes to mind. Not for me! It takes all I can do to focus on what needs to be done for today! I pray that his heart and mind will be eased as time passes.
I know I can get through this, but I know I will never forget that Tuesday afternoon when my life changed forever!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Going to See the King
On our way home from Tennessee we tried to stop by and see the king's palace (Elvis Presley)! Unfortunately, we got there too late but, we made sure to take tons of pictures outside the gates....Mom and Uncle Randy were really excited!
I could not get over all the writing everywhere...even on the sidewalk!
I could not get over all the writing everywhere...even on the sidewalk!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
TITANIC: My Heart Will Go On and On...
As a child, I used to HATE history! I thought all of the facts and dates we were learning in school were so boring and useless. It wasn't until I grew up and became a teacher (that teaches social studies) that I began to grow a passion for learning about historical events. The moments in time that stand out for me are the Civil War, the witch hunts in the Colonial Period, Westward Expansion, Christ's life on Earth, the 20s, the Holocaust, the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Movement, the Columbine Shooting, and 9/11. Titanic is one of those tragic events that I hold near and dear in my heart, particularly because my grandfather was born the same year the ship sank (1912) and my great-grandparents had migrated over to Texas from Italy. On Wednesday, (during the Tennessee trip) my mom and I got the rare opportunity to experience Titanic in a very emotional,spiritual way through going back in time and learning about the people, journey, process, and artifacts that were a part of the Titanic. In Pigeon Forge, there is one of the largest Titanic museums in the world. We spent 5 HOURS studying and reading everything we could and it was worth every penny we spent! It was my FAVORITE part of the WHOLE trip :)! We ended up leaving the museum at 10PM and we were happy because we got a personal experience by talking with the staff about the museum. I was so stunned and awed...I had felt like I had participated in a 5 hour funeral ceremony, but I was proud because I had did my part of paying homage to the people who had died on the ship.I would have SO loved to work there!
Me with one of the Titanic's "servants" The boarding pass she gave me belonged to Lucille "Lady" Duff Gordon, which I thought was neat because our names were similar and she was such a fascinating person! She was the first woman to do the splits in a dress and Victoria Secret can be thankful for her because she is the first person to make lingerie! Luckily, she survived and went on to design some beautiful dresses of her time! Click the link below to see some of what we got to experience!
Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN
Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN
Getting Waxy & Lost in Mirrors
(Wednesday) We were waiting around for my aunt so we got a late start on our day in Pigeon Forge. My mom, cousin, and I decided to go to Hollywood Wax Museum and Hannah's Mirror Maze :). The wax museum was pretty neat because they were set up to be interactive with sets and opportunities for a person to take pictures with the stars. I put some of my fav up and the ones I thought were funny or cute of my mom.
Can you tell my mom is a Twilighter?? Obviously, she is Team Edward!
Barbara....meet Barbara :)!
Then, we went to the mirror maze and what fun that was...it took us only 10 minutes to get through! We had to listen to the story of how Princess Hannah was so vain and she was always looking in the mirrors so this witch places a curse on her where she is trapped in the mirror...UNLESS...we are able to rescue her!
We did it...we saved her!! YAY!!!
Can you tell my mom is a Twilighter?? Obviously, she is Team Edward!
Barbara....meet Barbara :)!
Then, we went to the mirror maze and what fun that was...it took us only 10 minutes to get through! We had to listen to the story of how Princess Hannah was so vain and she was always looking in the mirrors so this witch places a curse on her where she is trapped in the mirror...UNLESS...we are able to rescue her!
We did it...we saved her!! YAY!!!
Princess Hannah's dad was happy!
Shopping Spree in Tennessee
On Tuesday, we decided to see what Gatlinburg had to offer since we spent our first day in Pigeon Forge. Our first stop was the moonshine shop.
(Above on right) Mom being crazy as usual! She had just bought my dad and brother moonshine.They would have gone nuts had they gone with us to this place because it was right up their alley!
(Above on left) The backwoods, redneck guy was telling jokes. It's neat to see the different kinds of entertainment that was offered in Tennessee versus Texas. I noticed that they play into the backwoods country style stereotype whereas here we play more into the cowboy stereotype people who live outside Texas have of Texans.
(On Left) Papa and Uncle Ray decided to let their women go ahead and buy the moonshine while they chilled for a while LoL. My aunt bought some cherry moonshine and each cherry was worth half a shot in alcohol!
We ate lunch at one of my favorite places to eat when I can find it while vacationing......Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co.! They have the best shrimp :)!!!!!! I always get their appetizer shrimp with a plate of broccoli. I found this place when my husband and I went to Los Angeles for part of our honeymoon and we fell in love with it! At this one, the waiter was somewhat snippy and rude AND nana was not too happy about the prices but it was worth going and getting to experience it with my family.
"Life is like a box of chocolates..you never know whatcha gonna get!"- Tom Hanks, Forest Gump
Some other things we saw while walking the streets of Gatlinburg....
(The top 2) There was a neat pizza place called Mellow Mushroom that we never went into but these neat sculptures were erected outside and I thought they were very artsy and cool. Mom obviously did, too, LoL.
(The left) This was hilarious! The song that was playing was "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." It was electronic and it stood outside of this mini-golf place.
This was where the moonshine was brewed legally!
(Above on left) The backwoods, redneck guy was telling jokes. It's neat to see the different kinds of entertainment that was offered in Tennessee versus Texas. I noticed that they play into the backwoods country style stereotype whereas here we play more into the cowboy stereotype people who live outside Texas have of Texans.
(On Left) Papa and Uncle Ray decided to let their women go ahead and buy the moonshine while they chilled for a while LoL. My aunt bought some cherry moonshine and each cherry was worth half a shot in alcohol!
This car was used to drive moonshine illegally back-and-forth.
After that, my cousin and I went to the Hollywood Star Cars Museum. I was really excited about going here because I knew I would get to see some pretty neat cars from cool movies! I put up the ones that were my FAVE! The Flintstones, Stephen King's Christine, The Munster's drag-u-la, and of course, Jurassic Park!
"Life is like a box of chocolates..you never know whatcha gonna get!"- Tom Hanks, Forest Gump
Some other things we saw while walking the streets of Gatlinburg....
(The left) This was hilarious! The song that was playing was "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." It was electronic and it stood outside of this mini-golf place.
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