north dakota! :)

So, my last few blogs have been about my thyroid, how boring?! Right? Well, how about this. Last weekend, my friend Stacie and I drove up to North Dakota...yeah that's right...North Dakota. We left on Thursday (EARLY) and drove up to Omaha Nebraska and stayed with some of her family. They were a hoot! we then drove up to Fargo, North Dakota on Friday...stayed there Friday night and drove back to Omaha on Saturday. And you guessed it...back to Waco on Sunday. It was a whirlwind trip, but it was fun. Neither of us had been to North Dakota and wanted to knock it off the list. And seeing as how neither of us (Lord willing) will live any closer to North Dakota then we presently do, we figured what better time. :) It was fun. Here are a couple pictures from the trip.

Isn't the 'fall' beautiful! :)

Stacie's Aunt and Uncle took us to the base nearby. Her Uncle was in the airforce for many many many moons!

And here it is, proof that I did indeed go to North Dakota...we actually crossed into North Dakota quiet a few times (our hotel was on the border of ND and MN). :)

yet another visit

So on Monday, the 12th, I went back to the surgeon. He's decided enough is enough and he wants to remove the cyst and the right half of my thyroid. He wants to do this before Christmas, however, I have an appointment on December 5th with the endocrinologist (for a second opinion). All this to say, things are still pretty up in the air. I was really hoping and praying that draining it would take care of the problem. But ultimately he's concerned because it keeps coming back and apparently there is no absolute way to be sure that it's not cancerous unless you remove it. So...I'd appreciate your prayers for wisdom and guidance for the doctors as they try to figure this out and the same for me as I have to make decisions about surgeons, hospitals, etc, etc, etc. Thanks!

Late Posting

I went to the doctor the other day and got some great news…the cyst was indeed just that, a thyroid colloid nodule (cyst). Praise the Lord, what great news! In the same appointment, I also found out that the cavity is filling again, meaning, the cyst is back. What the dr hopes is that if we drain it a few more times, it will eventually stop filling and we can avoid surgery. My question is why is my thyroid doing this in the first place…so I hope to see and endocrinologist (thyroid specialist) and see what she recommends. Maybe his try it and see is the best course of action. Anyway, all that to say, although I am not excited about the thought of having my neck poked with needles again and again, I am very thankful that there were no abnormalities with the fluid…again, thank the Lord! Thank you for all your prayers!

Today's Highlights!

I just wanted to share the highlights of my day (thus far) with you!

Beginning with last week:
On Wednesday, the referral specialist called me with an appointment with a surgeon (Dr. Turney). The appointment was scheduled for this morning at 10am. When I called the surgeons office to get directions, I asked how long the procedure (FNA test) would take. She assured me that it would simply be a consultation. Not having full confidence in her or her ability to determine if it would be a consultation or FNA test, I called back the next day. That day, I spoke with another woman who also assured me that it was just a consultation. (uh huh…)

So today:
Karen Hall (one of the other hall directors) accompanied me to the appointment, in order to insure I was well taken care of; just in case they decided to start sticking me with needles. So we get there around 10, after having a little driving tour of another medical building. I begin filling out endless paperwork signing away my life.

At 10:50 we finally head back to see the doctor. As standard procedure goes, they take my weight, temperature, and of course, my blood pressure. The nurse straps on the cuff and it tightens. The pressure begins to release and…just kidding, tightens again…and again…and again. Four attempts on the right arm and three on the left and we finally have a blood pressure rate!

After going into the room, we wait again. The doctor finally comes in at 11:10ish. At that point he looks at my neck, feels around, and bluntly states that he will be performing the FNA test today. So sure enough, I panic a little. He tries to be very calming but he obviously doesn’t know my distaste for needles! He assures me it’s only going to feel like a prick and is trying to keep me occupied while they get the supplies ready. I lay back on the table and close my eyes trying to focus on my breathing and Karen’s jokes. As the doctor approaches the table he begins talking to me again at which point I opened my eyes…yikes…I looked at the doctor holding a needle in his hand. As Karen informed me later, that was only the numbing needle. Needless to say I kept my eyes closed for the rest of the procedure. So…it wasn’t the end of the world, however, definitely tricked, I felt the other (much larger needle according to Karen) go into my neck and stay there. The good news is that the lump is gone. He decided to drain the entire cyst at once. The bad news was that while they were draining the cyst, the vile filled and I had to sit and wait (with the needle in my neck) while the nurse prepared another vile to drain the remainder of the cyst. After all was said and done I took a look at the lovely liquid drained. It was brown black…which apparently is a good thing.

So now what?! I have to go back on Thursday, October 18th for a follow up…which hopefully means just that. At that time, they should also have the results and let me know how to proceed. I ask that you continue to pray for peace as I wait for these test results (more waiting, woohoo). And I thank you all for your prayers during this time.

Many of you know, but for those of you who don’t…I went to the doctor last Tuesday (September 18th) for a follow up on my toe that I had fractured back in May. At that visit, he noticed a mass on my thyroid (good catch). So I had some blood work done (my favorite thing) and my thyroid numbers were normal (.09, normal numbers are .03-5.1, but on the lower side (lower levels mean overactive thyroid).

From there they did an ultrasound (on Monday, September 24th) to determine whether or not the mass was fluid filled or solid. During the visit, it was noted that the mass looked to be a liquid filled cyst with minor debris within the cyst (ucka!). However, the test results were sent to my doctor and radiologist in order to determine the next course of action.

Which brings me to today…after much waiting I spoke with one of the nurses at my doctors office. She said that the radiologist and Dr. Blattman both agreed that I should have a biopsy preformed on the cyst. A referral specialist is suppose to call me within 72 hours in order to schedule a FNA (fine needle aspiration) test in order to determine if the cyst is benign (which Dr. Blattman said it is a good chance of being). With that said, I now get to wait.

For those of you who know me well, this experience encompasses the two things in life I love the most: waiting and needles! Overall, I’m holding it together. I have truly had a peace about this situation and I pray I will continue to have the same peace as I go through more waiting and more tests. I know that God is in control and that he holds me in his hands (Col 1:17).

More randomness:
Before this academic year began Matthew 7:7 and a Bethany Dillon song, ‘Hallelujah’ were continually brought to my attention. Matthew 7:7 says, ‘Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.’ The chorus to Bethany Dillon’s song is:

Hallelujah, hallelujah, whatever’s in front of me, help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah, whatever’s in front of me, I choose to sing hallelujah

Initially, I figured this verse and song had to do with the next steps of my life (and they probably do as well), however, they also have such practical and immediate purposes.
So why tell you all this? In part because I figured you would like to know, and in part so that you can join me in prayer as I continue through this ‘experience’. I do covet your prayers at this time! Thanks!

P.s. Anyone else think I may be allergic to Texas? :)

events

for the last few days I've been trying to rearrange my apartment (again). it's a bit out of control. after moving everything to the middle of my room, it's hard to find the right 'spots' for things again. but fortunately, my bed has found its way back to my bedroom, woohoo! as for other things that have been going on. Charity moved in on Sunday. I like her already. oh, something random! her friend who drove from California to Texas with her was actually born and raised in Stockton. crazy?! she graduated from high school the same year I did, however, she went to bear creek, so I tried naming numerous people she should have known. no luck, but I'm determined to find someone we both knew. also, in regard to Charity...on Monday after locking her door and getting ready to take her friend back to the airport, she lost her keys. on this key ring were her apartment keys, her housekeeping key, AND the master key for all the buildings. we have been frantically looking everywhere, calling everyone who has a lost and found...everything. so if you could be in prayer that these keys are recovered, and soon. it's been stressful for her and it makes for a really tough first impression. thanks!

in other news, fourth of July was yesterday! :) we had a nice barbecue with a lot of the staff, it was great fun. that was until one of the little ones (2?) slipped off the step in the pool and went under. two of us were in the pool and as she went under her dad and sharia both saw and jumped in to get her. it was quiet a feat, the two of us in the pool wouldn't have been able to get there any faster. she was fine, she was barely under for but a second or two, but what a scare! she was fine and even got back in the pool (a little later). the rest of the night was uneventful.

that's it for now, my plans for the rest of the week (minus work stuff) are to get my apartment back in order! woohoo!

trying.

So my mom, my own mother, doesn't have faith that I'll keep this up, and at times, she's right. So I guess we will see what happens, but I'm going to try. Now I can't promise that I'll even post once a week because when things get crazy, and they will, I'm not going to have much time to breath let alone post on a blog. However, for summer, things are relatively quiet.

So why this post? Just because? Well, yes, and to let you into a bit of what's going on in my world right now. Below are some pictures from the wonderful world of North Russell.

Below is a picture from inside the hall. :) Some of the things they are doing in the hall this summer: sprinkler system throughout the entire building, new lightening in all the student rooms, persona locks (ID swipes) on ALL the doors, and new carpet throughout the entire building. And that's some of the major updates going on inside the building. Now this next picture is of my living room. No, not the way it 'normally looks', but they are also doing some construction in my apartment. They had to put new smoke detectors, alarm system, and sprinkler in my living room, kitchen, bedroom, and closets.And lastly, here is a picture of my bedroom?! Look familiar? It should (see above picture). :) It's only temporary, just a few days until they get my bedroom back in order and get the sprinklers up and 'running' or the possibility of running ;) As for additional news, Charity (the new Assistant Hall Director for North Russell) arrives on Sunday, woo-hoo. I am really excited about working with her! I think it's going to be a wonderful year! Oh and she just recently graduated with her Masters from APU, kind of a random coincidence.

So that's all for now, just a few random updates! Hope all is well!

here goes!

so I labeled this 'new beginnings' because it is a new beginning for me. It's the beginning of a blog and the beginning of another year (academic year, yeah training starts in less than a month!). I can't believe how quickly time flies. Two years ago, I was moving across the country to start a new job, and here I find myself, going into my third year as a hall director (and still enjoying it)! I never, in my craziest dreams would have thought I would have ended up in small town Texas, never. But God has quiet the sense of humor! I can't believe it was two years ago I was moving in, and now I look back and realized I've learned so much from this experience. I thought I had done a lot of growing prior to this change, boy was I wrong! :) I look back on myself and who I was two years ago, and I'm different. Yes, I'm the same person with the same strong will, stubbornness, perfectionist, determination, and spirit, but I've grown, and I've changed. My character has been tested, my patience tried, my heart broken, my body bruised, my thoughts challenged, and my strength stretched. Yet I am stronger, smarter (hopefully), more content, more joyful, and more determined to be and make the most of this life that God has given me. And not all of these last two years have been difficult, I've had tremendous times of joy, laughter, hysteria, and memories that will travel with me wherever I may go. God has been faithful in bringing me through the difficult times and I know and trust he will be with me as I continue through this next year and the many years to come!

so, speaking of laughter and memories, I just returned back home from a trip to Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming. I flew into Colorado, met up with my old roommate and a couple other friends and drove to see Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons. Two less states to visit. Oh, I've decided I would like to see all 50 states (I had yet to visit South Dakota and Wyoming). Below are a few pictures from the trip! It was a wonderful trip full of so many laughs, such beauty, and Gods handy work! :)

This picture is the group of us girls who traveled from Colorado to Wyoming together. Two of them (Kristel (to my rt) and Jenny (below me)) actually started out in California, Britney (left) and I met up with them in CO. Ps, I just love this picture of us 1. we are so cute, and 2. it was just us goofing around with the camera. :) Here is part of Mt Rushmore, it's suppose to be this grandiose thing, and it is (but look, I could squish his little head!) :)Look at us! You think they'll carve a mountain with our faces on it next? Ha! For Britney, Jenny, Shannon, and Kristel, you think?

so this may look random, and, it is! Remember those laughs and memories?! We drove through a city called Chugwater, and we just had to pull over and take a picture of us...chugging water! :) We also came across a sign that said Crazy Woman Creek, we regrettably, don't have a picture from that place. :(

Here is the picture of us at Old Faithful, which really is both, old, and faithful. They (someone, somewhere) predicted that she would go off at 12:21 and sure enough, 12:22 came and she was off! Just a really cute picture of us :)

So after seeing Mt Rushmore and Yellowstone we headed to the Grand Tetons. This was probably my favorite stop on the trip! This Mt range in incredible! I wish I lived closer b/c I would visit frequently. This picture if from our hike. We stopped at Jenny Lake and took a boat from one side of the lake to the other. They let us off near the bottom of a trail to 'hidden falls'. It's a short hike but a magnificent view of the falls (the picture to the left is not the magnificent view, just me very happy that we got to do more hiking!)

And lastly, here is a picture of the Grand Tetons themselves! Aren't they incredible, and what a beautiful day we had!

Other things we saw included: Bears (both Brown and Grizzly), Deer, Elk, a man playing in a band with two female manikins (it's a long story), Bison (walking in the middle of the two lane road), and so many other fun and 'interesting' things. Well, I hope you our adventure, we sure did! :)

ps I have had a difficult time with picture alignment and such. I ended up deleting them b/c they were left justified and having to start over, rearrange again and again. If anyone knows what I did wrong, or how to help, please let me know for future postings, thanks!

beginning!

journals are difficult for me! They always have and probably forever will be! Even now as I attempt this blog, it's taken me weeks to actually 'start'. I've changed fonts, played with colors, previewed, and rearranged. I believe a lot of this is because of the permanency of journaling. I also believe this process is difficult b/c I'm primarily a verbal processor and like to talk things through, however, I hope to use this as a venue for lots of random things, thoughts, updates, and more. It is my hope that this will become an electronic journal, scrapbook, though provoking (wishing)...blog. Enjoy, I know (hope) I will! :)