Hurray!

Tonight I am recovering from thyroid surgery at St. Joe's Hospital. All went well. The pea sized tumor was incapsulated so no cancer spread...... Good news. I will go home tomorrow, Wednesday morning. In six weeks I'll take a radioactive iodine pill. The scanners at the airport will probably light up when I go through security. Thanks again for prayers and healing thoughts. Unfortunately, Joe missed playing golf with his friends on a beautiful first day of Spring day being the great support to me today. MarthA

Spring is here

As I write this update I am hearing a very happy bird singing a song thru the open door. We have one daffodil and about 20 blooms of Spring flower in the garden. We are all enjoying an early Spring. Last Thursday a tornado destroyed many homes in Dexter, Michigan several miles from here. I was with my daughter in law and grand children in Saline. We went to the basement as there was a tornado warning for their area. My family lost our home to a tornado on Palm Sunday, April 11, 1965 so I do go to the basement or safe location when told to. The people of Dexter were all safe because of a 20 minute warning to take cover.

I will post the results of my thyroid surgery as soon as possible. I saw the surgeon last week, and also an ENT doctor who checked vocal chords. I check in at 10a.m. for 12 o'clock surgery this Tuesday, March 20th. I will spend the night and come home on Wednesday. I pray that the surgeon and staff attending the surgery are guided by Gods healing touch.

Martha

All done

My last chemo treatment was today, I even got a certificate of completion. When given the diagnosis of cancer 15 months ago, I knew I would have much to endure. Fortunately, I have had the love and support of family, friends, brilliant doctors, nurses, medical staff, pastor and church family, strangers, and new acquaintances throughout treatment.

I have one more surgery coming up this month. I will breath a sigh of relief once that is complete. There will always be the hope that cancer cells will not multiply in my body ever again. Research will one day find a cure. I am grateful for the patients that have been the pioneers in the treatment of breast cancer and other cancers. I had a pill to take for nausea, women before me had a difficult time with nausea from chemotherapy. Herceptin, which blocks estrogen was developed in the 1990's. The cancer I had was fueled by estrogen. Giving 2or3 drugs at a time instead of one drug have increased survival rates. Research will one day find a cure. I hope we are getting closer to that day.

Martha