Friday, November 03, 2006

Still Sighing

We're lucky to have cats that all get along with each other. Even so, the combination of Lily, Pokey and Howler all sleeping together is unusual. Much more likely to see the little girls with Habibi. Anyway. In size, one big cat would be equal to three of our little ones. They are big cats. And fat.

Well, the bad news is that the biopsy results came back with a "suggestion" of cancer. The good news is that it's the easy cancer. Papillary thyroid cancer is highly treatable and curable. So now I have to find myself a surgeon to remove the nodule so that tests can be done. Have to say my endocrinologist was completely unhelpful, so I've spent some frustrating time on the computer researching exactly what kind of surgeon I need. And are they covered by my medical insurance. Sigh. Think I've got what I need now and I'll start calling this morning.

My sweetie and I do NOT want to lose the posting to Paris, so he's going to investigate whether or not he can go on ahead and then I'll come over with the kitties as soon as I'm done with all of this. I'd rather take care of this on my own than miss out. It sounds doable. But can I just say it again, what a pain in the ass.

Thank you all for your kind words and wishes. I'm hanging in there.

Update: I've got an appointment with a surgeon at Georgetown University Hospital for next Tuesday, so all is good. Sorry for being so whiny - I'm better now.

36 comments:

KC Quilter said...

You are in my thoughts. Glad it is a treatable cancer. Hang in there. Your blog friends will be pulling for you to get through this quickly and easily.

Granny said...

Oh, Tonya, I'm so sorry! You & your hubby are in my prayers. I hope you can find a doctor and get the wheels turning. I'm sorry your endocrinologist was unhelpful. A recommendation for a surgeon to handle this would surely have made things easier.

I'll be watching the blog to see how you're progressing.

Judy L.

Melzie said...

I'll be praying daily for you Tonya. You are so brave sweetie. I am glad its not too bad of news. Keep us updated. xoxo melzie

Joyce said...

I'm wishing you the best. I hope you have someone to be with you (besides all us bloggers) if your husband goes on to Paris. Hopefully, you find a good surgeon and everything works out well and quickly. Highly treatable is the best news in all this. Good thing you have all those cats. There is nothing more comforting than a warm, purry cat.

Fiona said...

You are not whiny, you are sharing your anxiety - that's what we're here for. Never feel afraid to share the not so nice things when sharing your slice of life in Egypt and your beautiful work has given a lot of readers including me so much pleasure. Thinking of you.
Fiona

Nancy said...

You have every right to be as whiny as you want! Never apologize for venting when you feel the need. That's what blogger friends are for. We might not be able to be there for you in person but we can listen when you need a sympathetic ear. (((HUGS)))

Unknown said...

Thinking of you Tonya - don't you just find 'un-helpful' medics just the pits. Some of them could seriously do with some communication skills along with a course on 'Who exactly employs who!' Glad to hear it is highly treatable - hope you manage to get it all sorted and still get to Paris - thinking of you and sending lots of hugs :o)

Linda C. said...

An unknown always increases anxiety, so I don't believe you were whiny at all. Sorry you got a doctor with no personality, but hope that everything goes smoothly for you. Be sure to take some hand work . . . you know how slowly the time passes when your hands are idle. Best wishes, and I'm keeping you in my prayers.

Maddie Can Fly said...

My mother had this surgery many years ago and is doing fine. I'm sure with all the new techniques they have now (as opposed to when she had the surgery), you'll be on your way to Paris toot-suite - LOL

Finn said...

Hey, Ton...what a great picture of the kitties. They do seem to fill up that chair...LOL

Sorry to hear what the diagonsis was, but hoping that it's all easy and quickly dealt with. I'm holding good throughts for the best possible outcome. You can whine all you want. Big hugs, Finn

Shellie said...

Tonya, I have a friend who has, I believe, gone through treatment for the same kind of cancer. If you'd like, you can e-mail me and I'll put you in touch with her. Also, I'm not that far from you so, if there is absolutely anything you need please feel free to ask.

My email is shellies34@hotmail.com.

Hang in there. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Hedgehog said...

Nothing whiny about that post! Sorry about the news - I hope that it is indeed easy to deal with. I'm sorry you might be seperated for a bit, but Paris will hopefully be a great reward. Best wishes.

Dianne said...

Sending more good thoughts and hugs, Tonya. I surely hope the Georgetown surgeon will be more helpful. The endocrinologist sounds like a complete nong, as they'd say in Oz.

Do you have family in the D.C. area who can help with logistics while you're on your own? Be good to have a couple of helpful hands for when you're feeling punky.

Please know you've got LOTS of Blog Friends thinking of you and sending lots of love your way...

McIrish Annie said...

Hope everything turns out ok and you are able to leave for gay Paree with your DH! you are in my thoughts

His Office, My Studio said...

The cats are happy because they are sleeping on one of your quilts. Sorry to hear about the diagonsis. I have with cancer and the best thing beside treatment is to have a positive attitude and live each day to the fullest.

Kate said...

Sending you best wishes! Hope this resolves quickly so you can get to Paris!

Laurie Ann said...

It's okay to be whiny, I would be worried too! But it sounds like you are taking care of it and keeping a cool head. Sending prayers your way ...

Love those beautiful kitties!

Paula, the quilter said...

I have a friend who went through this several years ago and is doing just fine. One funny thing: while the surgeon was doing his thing, he removed the fat from her neck (think liposuction). She said she always wanted a swan neck and now has one! Hang in there. It is highly treatable

Anonymous said...

Tonya,

I've enjoyed your blogging so much that I wanted to wish you the best in your new health concerns. Will be thinking of you as you investigate your treatment options. Hopefully, it will be quick and off you can go to Paris.

Patti

comicbooklady said...

Hang in there, tonya! We're here for you, only a keystroke away. Bonne chance, mon amie.

Tazzie said...

No need for any kind of apologies Tonya, of course you're feeling stressed and need to express it.
I have a good feeling about your situation, that coupled with lots of our prayers, and I feel like everything will work our okay for you.
*hugs and smoochies*
Tazzie
:-)

Elaine Adair said...

From Nebraska, USA, I am praying for excellent and speedy treatment, and an easy heart.

Sweet P said...

You're allowed to be whiny when necessary and today was necessary. You will be in my prayers while you are on this journey. Whine anytime you'd like, we're hear to listen.

ForestJane said...

I'm just glad it's been caught early... surely that makes the final prognosis better.

Had to laugh at the picture of your cats on the folded fabric piles... mine are doing the exact same thing as I read blogs.

Is Pokey the littlest? Howler makes a big black circular blot on that picture. :)

Mary Johnson said...

Even an *easy* cancer is scary. I'm glad it's treatable and I'll be thinking of you. Hopefully you'll get it taken care of quickly and be off to Paris to join your husband.

Candy Schultz said...

You have every reason to sigh. That kind of stuff really sucks. Hope everything is expedited for your move. Best wishes next Tuesday.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

I don't read your blog for a couple of days and miss everything! What a pain and how unhelpful was that doctor. You would think it would be like ambulance chasers, they'd have a list of surgeons who give them kickbacks, to hand to you going out the door!! I'm really thinking about you, go and hug your beloved, your cats and make a quilt-that'll fix it!

quiltpixie said...

Big sigh at this end for you. Glad you've found a surgeon and got an appointment soon. Hopefully all will go well. Having hubby go over to Paris and you join him sounds like a plan, I don't know about you, but I much prefer to be alone when sick anyway....

Juliann in WA said...

Tonya
I sent you an email - I had this cancer 6 1/2 years ago and would be happy to answer questions. You will be off to Paris before you know it.
juliann

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! So sorry to hear that some ugly specters are on the horizon potentially fouling up your plans. I hope that whatever IT is, it's easily dealt with so that you can put it behind you and be on your way to Paris ASAP.

Good thoughts...

Anonymous said...

Tonya, I wish you all the best... I have been enjoying so much your posts and the pictures of your sweet cats... I have 4 that I adore. Big hug and warm friendly thoughts from São Paulo, Brazil.

Jenni said...

It all happens at once doesn't it? Hang in there.

Judy said...

I missed your last 3 posts because my bookmark wasn't updating and I knew there had to be new posts. We've talked by email, but if you need anything else please let me know. It was 13 years ago that I dealt with this, as you know, but I remember it all.

I'm sure you can do this by yourself and I wouldn't want to miss the posting either.

Anonymous said...

My mum had something similar about 20 years ago and she's perfectly fine! Good luck with finding a doctor who can get you back to full health ASAP! Take things easy for a while and try not to worry too much if you can :-)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I'm glad it is treatable and I"m so happy to hear you got an appointment! You know I'm thinking of you!

Holly said...

You haven't been whiny at all! It always helps to talk things out (for me anyway). Some chocolate doesn't hurt either. Soon you'll be able to put this behind you and enjoy Paris!