An Open Letter/Update From Amy

Last week I (Amy) had surgery to remove part of my thyroid. Some of you knew- most of you didn’t. It wasn’t really a big deal. Being the introvert that I am, it was easier for me to deal with it privately and not let anyone fuss over me.

This past November I felt like I had something stuck in my throat. Tests showed a large tumor on my left thyroid lobe. Biopsies showed it to be non-cancerous at this point. Surgery was recommended due to some difficulty swallowing. I scheduled the surgery for after school let out, mostly for convenience’s sake.

The surgery went well. They removed the thyroid half with the (racquetball sized... what??) growth, waited for the pathologist to confirm that it was cancer free, then glued me back together and sent me home with half a thyroid. One small piece of extra information is that the doctor noticed a lymph node nearby and for good measure sent it off to the final pathologists too. No big deal.

Recovery has been a little icky. Tired and nauseous. Nothing out of the ordinary. Today, one week later, I did my hair and put on a dress for my follow up appointment expecting to be bored by the information that I had already been given. I was in for a little surprise…

As expected- that big old tumor was completely cancer free. That little lymph node, however, was not. I have thyroid cancer that is probably originating from the side of my thyroid that is still in tact. SO not the news I was expecting to hear.

The upside is that thyroid cancer is very slow growing and is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Long term prognosis is good. I did that research all along and used the information to make my family and friends feel better about the first surgery/tumor. I am now being challenged to believe my own words, “Worst case scenario, if it IS cancer it is treatable”. (As quoted by me, to my family morning of surgery. Totally thinking that it would not happen!).

I am not scared. What I feel right now is more inconvenienced than anything else… This is not how I planned to spend my summer! More surgery (I do not wake up from anesthesia very gracefully), more tests, & cancer treatments. Whose idea was this anyway?? Then I must remember that I serve a mighty God who knew about this all along. His plan is ALWAYS greater than mine. I am super annoyed by the HE>i bumper stickers, but their message rings true today.

This is being sent out mostly because I want you to hear it from me, not the rumor mill. Yes, I have cancer. No, I am not scared. I am thankful for your prayers and encouragement as we take the next steps. I remain mindful that they are steps and we must take them one at a time. I will choose not to overreact or under-react because either one of those options diminishes the promise found in 2 Corinthians 12:9... 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

We will keep you posted, as the need arises. In the meantime, assume that “No news is good news”.

~ Amy