"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." Gordon B. Hinckley

Jan 8, 2011

Courage

I love this word of the year thing that so many people are doing! I have never done it before but I have given it lots of thought and there was always a word in my mind that I could have used. It would have been fun to look back and see what word that was all the other years. So this year I am going to start. I feel like maybe I have a difficult year coming I am very afraid of it. Just before New Years Day I was thinking about how wonderful this last year was and how I hated to see it come to a close. That must have been because deep down I knew I was up for a different kind of year. My word for this year is


COURAGE

I know this is what courage should be to me but......



This is more like the way I do things!!!!



I lack courage I just don't have it especially when I am so afraid of something. If any of you know me very well you will know that the hospital is the place I am most afraid of. I had one bad experience when I had Kenna years ago and I remember laying there in the ICU pleading to my Father in Heaven to let me live. I wanted him to let the Doctors figure out what was wrong so I could get better and go home to my little ones waiting for me there. It was quiet and so lonely in that room and soon after I prayed for these things I had family coming in every time one family member left another one would come. I was surrounded by those that I loved and I knew then that I would be okay. But I was so scared. I remember wondering why that all happened? That was not my plan at all, it was suppose to be more simple than that. I was suppose to go home after having that baby not stay in the hospital. This event in my life along with a few others have left me very aware that I am in the Lords hands and it is not my will it is his. And the way that I might want things to happen might not be his way. This scares me I am very afraid of it. I have many family members who have had and have some very difficult medical situations, some scary ones, ones that will stay with them forever. I look up to these people they give me strength. I say to my self often "If they can do it, I can do it". But deep down sometimes I wonder if I really believe that within my self or if it is just easy to say. I know I am weak and I know I am afraid of everything and I mean everything! I am very cautious because I know the bad things that can happen. I think if you ever have something traumatic happen in your life you just become more like this, I don't really know. I know that I am not good at taking things day by day I always have to look to far ahead where it is too blurry to even see clear. This is something I am going to have to work on. On a positive note I know I have some things that I am good at and that is prayer. I pray for everything I don't leave out anything at all. I trust in prayers and I know without a doubt that they are answered. It might take years sometimes but they are answered. I have been so blessed by saying my prayers. I know I have Faith in my Heavenly Father and in his plan, I know it will work out the way he wants it to and it will all be okay in the end. I know I have family and friends not even an arms length away form me willing to help, who have already done so much, people I don't even know, I need these strong people in my life, because right now I am not that strong person. I feel very weak, very afraid of the unknown. I have so many people asking..... so here are the facts that I know about what I am about to face.

I love this isn't it a good laugh for the day!!

First of all I am keeping track of all of this for me to remember and for maybe some of you to help me. My Uncle is so smart and he has remembered everything about his and it has helped me out so much. I might have a niece or nephew or one of my own kids someday need my help on this subject.

You all ask how did this start? The right side of my face is going numb, my ear tingles all day long, I pass out and throw up easily, my neck is swollen.

I went to some Doctors and did many tests, MRIs, ultrasound, blood work and biopsy and found two quarter size lumps on my thyroid and in my thyroid that came out with cancer cells. Two different kind of cells that the Doctor said they wont know for sure until they take them out and cut them open. At first the Doctor told me they were just abnormal cells (I think he did this so he wouldn't scare me) but the nurse had already told me they were cancer cells. I went to get the slides form the pathology with the cells on them so I can take them to the Doctor in Utah and in the package was a report with exactly what kinds of cells they were. I called the office and made sure this was right. In the end it really doesn't matter what the pathology says until they cut them open and see for sure!! I am holding on to that hope that they were wrong on that biopsy somehow!


I had the blood test done that tests for the thyroid cancer gene in my body to see if I am carrying it. It takes fourteen days to get back so I am still waiting.


I am going down to the University of Utah on Monday and then will be sent to the Huntsman Cancer Doctor who will do the surgery. I am very calm about that part, I know I am in good hands. This is where my Uncle Jerry has had all his cancer and surgery taken care of and he said they were the best. He was well taken care of so I am thankful for that. I am praying they will know for sure what to do and it will be more simple than I see it right now. They will do another ultrasound of my thyroid and neck to make sure they haven't missed any other lumps in my neck. I have a couple lymph nodes that have gotten big on my neck lately and I think it is just coming form the ones in the thyroid I hope it isn't anything worse. But they will check those and they will do another biopsy if they need one. I feel like Monday cannot come quick enough for me.

I have always said that no one is operating on me unless I get a baby out of it!! I have had three c-sections and they have all been 100% worth it because I got a beautiful baby out of them. This on the other hand is so not what I had in mind for this year. I am really struggling with the radiation and aftermath of regulating the thyroid the rest of my life. They use to not do radiation and now they do and some of the rules on it are just so much for me right now. Like not being around my kids for such along time really bothers me. The things that bother me will go away eventually and they will only be here a short time. I have to keep focused on that.


The unknown scares me, I want this out of my body and I want to know what it is and have a plan, is that so much to ask for? I am pretty demanding aren't I?? I am not too happy having my neck cut open, that just doesn't appeal to me at all right now, in fact it just makes me sick to think about. I watched my Mom and her siblings go through this and it was not fun and again...it scares me. But they say thyroid cancer is the best kind to have if you are going to have one :)


I am praying and having all the faith I can have. I am hopeful and I will try to stay strong. This week was a down week for me, hard to sleep and hard to stay focused. I am in need of some courage right now. Courage to be strong and courage to accept they will. I hate it when things are out of my control it is so hard for me, this is hard for me but I am hopeful that it will all be okay. Like my aunt Judy always says "I can do hard things"! I know I can, I just don't want to :( I want to be home with my kids playing, I don't want to be in the hospital away from them. It is so hard when I hear people say they are sick of their kids and they want them to go back to school because I am just the opposite :) I want them home with me, I want to be home with them. I will take this one step at a time one foot in front of the other. I will be grateful for this trial for I know it can always be so much worse. It is really a blessing in diguise but I wont know for sure what that blessing is just yet. It will make me stronger, I must be pretty weak. I feel like I hurdle one trial and hit a brick wall after that trial :) I guess I need to learn to hurdle with more distance and not so close to the wall. I will know more Monday. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!!


These are the little people that will keep me focused everyday through this!! I love them so much and they have gotten me through so much I will stay focused on them.

9 comments:

Lynn said...

Oh Nat!!!

I was just going to tell you how much I LOVE your blog and your post with your thoughts so well written...I loved all you shared about your 2011 word. Courage is a GREAT one. I laughed to at your humor. I've never seen that one with the penguin and polar bear. LOL!

But then.......I was FLOORED to read all that you've had to deal with lately. I am SO sorry. I wish I could be closer to help you out with the nights when you can't sleep or stay focused. Or maybe even come and listen while you get it off your chest. This is exactly what I was afraid of this past year, when I had issues with my thyroid. And now it's something you are dealing with.....I don't know what to say except that I want to give you the biggest hug ever.

Words just don't help somedays......but I wanted to send you this quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell:

"God knows even now what the future hold for each of us...Now, this will require us to believe in that divine design and at times to accept the truth which came to Joseph Smith wherein he was reminded that his suffering would be "but a small moment" (D&C 121:7)."

"Patient endurance permits us to cling to our faith in the Lord and our faith in His timing when we are being tossed about by the surf of circumstance. Even when a seeming undertow grasps us, somehow, in the tumbling, we are being carried forward, though battered and bruised." (Ensign, May 1990, 34.)

Natalie, I know we have never met, but I feel like I know you well, through our correspondence via e-mail. You are the most patient person I know. I KNOW you can do this. I KNOW you can go through this "HARD thing". You've passed test after test. Now you are just onto the next one. I know. It sucks big time. Not fair. But I KNOW you have the courage in you that you are seeking. I know it.

Hang in there. Breath. Take one day at a time. You are in my prayers. Truly you are. Hugs!

Becky said...

We're here for you, in whatever way you need us!

Judy said...

Nan. You are in my constant prayers. You are doing the right thing and going to the right place. They are good down there and you will get the help you need. Yea girl, we can do hard things. Someday we will all look back and know that we did it for a good reason and it makes upi into something strong and unmovable. I love you kiddo. You are seriously one of my best friends. I love talking to you. You are such a good example to me. Hang in there. Keep us all posted and I am grateful that you posted this because then blog world can pray for you! It's amazing.

Kate said...

Nanny you have amazing strength and courage I look up to you in so many ways- all you have been through and keep going through your amazing:) You are in our thoughts and prayers daily and i know you can beat this:) We will take good care of your kids- Love you so much!

Rachel said...

Natalie, good luck tomorrow. We will also pray for you at our house. I know that everything will work out for you, it is just another trial by fire that you have to go through. The Lord must have something very great for you. Keep up with the faith and prayers and I know you will be fine. We would love to help with your kids anytime. Rachel

Lisa Ball said...

You are a courageous woman!! I have witnessed it so many times in your life. Believe in yourself, you can do it. I wish I could take it all away for you and make you better, but I don't think I will have to. You will get through this and will have amazing stories to tell your grandkids about how tough are. I have always looked up to you, thanks for being my hero in my life. I am always praying for you. I know your prayers will be answered. Have faith. Love ya!

Jesse and Ashley Packer said...

Nat,

I am praying for you! The Huntsman is AMAZING! It is definitely the best place to go. I had my bilateral mastectomies there 4 years ago. They were great. Keeping you in my thoughts!

Ashley

thechristensens said...

You're definately in my prayers! You really are amazing...and very courageous! Good luck!

Elena said...

Wow! What a trial, but you will be able to get through it. I'm sure it won't be easy and I will for certain keep you in my prayers. Best of luck. Hang in there!!