Neck Lump Update, Sleepover, and Spaghetti Sauce

Okay, so the results of the CT scan show a cyst at the base of my neck. Cysts are benign most of the time and rarely cancerous. However, I am scheduled to have an MRI on April 29. After the MRI, I will be referred to ENT for a surgical consult. The doctor said there is no reason to prolong having it removed. It can grow but there is no way to know if it will. Because of the location, if it does grow it can affect breathing, swallowing, and possibly compress veins/arteries in the neck affecting blood flow to the brain. We all know that I cannot afford to lose any blood flow to my brain! LOL! Steven is getting mad at me for making jokes about this all the time. So, it looks like surgery to remove the cyst will be in the near future. I am okay with that because pathology can then be done to determine exactly what it is and if it is cancerous.

On another note....we survived our first sleepover last weekend! The boys were great. They stayed up until midnight watching a movie and then were up at 6:30 playing the Wii. There were no fights and everything went smoothly! Colby had a run in with a jar of spaghetti sauce on Sunday morning. He was trying to get the syrup out of the pantry and knocked down a jar of spaghetti sauce in the process. He was covered in spaghetti sauce and glass. The jar hit his big toe and he will probably be losing that toenail! He had to wear flip flops to school yesterday but was back in tennis shoes this morning. It was chaos at the moment but pretty funny now! I watched the whole thing and it felt like it was in slow motion. I yelled at him not to move a muscle and lifted him out of the mess. I passed him to Steven who took him to the sink to wash the spaghetti sauce off and make sure he didn't have any glass anywhere. What a mess!

WWJD?

I was forwarded an email over the weekend has really made me think about the phrase, "What would Jesus do?". The email is regarding the family that was killed in the recent plane crash in Montana. According to this email, the family affected by this tragedy owned an abortion clinic. The email basically states that this family was killed due to their involvement in the "murder of children". The article came from the Christian Newswire. This is a prime example of why I no longer associate myself with any organized religion. The amount of hypocrisy, greed, and corruption surrounding many religious organizations has completely turned me away from organized religion.

The Bible has been used to defend the discrimination and oppression of so many people. I feel that the church has gotten away from its tenants and is no longer recognizable. Jesus, as he was imparted to me by my grandfather, was a generous, caring, and non-discriminating man. As Christians we should live our lives and show through our actions Christ-like love towards all humanity. It is not for us humans to determine the judgement of others. For a Christian organization to propagate such an ugly and judgemental vision of who this family is/was goes against everything I was taught to believe in. I am saddened by this article and the use of Christianity in this manner. Jesus did not turn away from prostitutes, lepers, murderers, or any other person. Rather, he did not condemn them but loved them. He by example through his actions and unconditional love. This is how we should live as well. Always ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?". I do not believe Jesus would speak ill of the deceased, nor would he condone such actions by others.

I do not want to proliferate such hatred but if you would like to read the article I am referring to it can be found at http://www.gingiedmonds.com/.

Quick Update

I saw a different provider today for a second opinion. Dr. Lawrence sent me straight over to Wilford Hall for an ultrasound. I felt so bad because it was 11:30 am and I knew someone was having to work through lunch for me! Dr. Lawrence called ahead to tell them to work me in. He said after we get the results from the ultrasound we will know if we need to proceed with the CAT Scan. The doctor read the ultrasound right away and conferred with Dr. Lawrence. Then, I was told that I do need to come back in on Thursday for the CAT Scan. That is not great news! I was hoping they would do the ultrasound and say there is no need for the CAT Scan. So, I go in on Thursday morning for a CAT Scan and I guess we will see where we go from there!

Doctor Mess

So, it was a typical visit to a military doc. I try not to complain too much about our healthcare because it is free and that is more than most people can say. I got to my appointment and my provider decides that the lump in my neck (thyroid area) is caused by an infection! So, he decides to give me antibiotics. Mind you, I do not have a fever and have not been sick lately. His next sentence was, "Worst case scenario, it is cancer. So, I will go ahead and put in an order for a CAT Scan. If it is still there after you have finished 10 days on the antibiotics, go ahead and make the appointment for the scan. Then I want to see you back 2 months after the scan, if the antibiotics don't take care of it." WTF???? Needless to say, I was not a happy camper when I left. I picked up my antibiotic, went to the car, called Steven, and cried. I was so MAD! We decided to call patient advocacy and now I have an appointment with a different provider on Monday the 23rd and a CAT Scan on Thursday the 26th.

So, still don't know much but well on the way to knowing what the heck is growing on my neck!

Nerves

Just trying to work out some nerves before I go to the doctor this morning. A few weeks ago I found a lump in my neck. It is in the thyroid area, so there are a number of things it could be from a goiter to cancer. I am trying to remain positive and believe that it is something benign but am nervous that my optimism will be crushed. So, please pray this morning that I find out good news! I will post more when I get finished with the doctor!

Oh Puhlease!

We recently attended the Rampage Military Appreciation Night. Steven has been in the Air Force for 11 years. In that time he has been deployed to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Curacoa, and completed a one year tour in Korea where he was not able to take Colby and I with him. He is now a Military Training Instructor at Lackland AFB. In this position he works 18 hour days for weeks at a time to train incoming Airman. So, when we heard the Rampage was hosting a Military Appreciation Night we decided to go. Colby plays hockey and we frequently go to the games. When we arrived and purchased our tickets we realized that there was no discount for military personnel or their families. We were told that the only seats available were balcony level. Thinking that surely there was more to Military Appreciation Night, we purchased our balcony level tickets at full price and went in. Once inside we decided to ask one of the ushers what Military Appreciation Night was all about. He directed us to a supervisor. It was then that we learned that Military Appreciation Night did not include any discounts for military guests but simply a military display in one of the lobbies and a tribute during intermission. To top off the evening we saw an Iraq War Veteran who lost a limb also seated in the balcony level. It was bad enough that Military Appreciation Night did not include discounts for military personnel but to sit a disabled Iraq War Veteran in the balcony level is unexcusable. We have received flyers through our Colby's school where upper level tickets (not right on the glass but up one level) can be purchased for $15 and with that you receive a hot dog, soda, and a bag of chips. If they are able to do this for the schools, why couldn't it have been done for Military Appreciation Night. This was a huge disappointment. I believe the Rampage will lose fans for this.

Thank Goodness!

I just read that the hospital is not likely to release the octuplets to their crazy mother. She spent all that money on invitro and couldn't give some to her parents (who she lives with) to help with their mortgage? She is reportedly going on the Dr. Phil Show. Can't wait to see what he has to say about this! Thank goodness the hospital has the sense to see that she cannot possibly care for and provide for 14 children! I do feel terrible for those babies though. They deserve so much better than what they have been born into. Who knows, maybe CPS will step in and some wonderful families will be able to adopt these babies and provide them with great homes. I also hope that for the well being of the other 6 children, this woman gets some much needed help!