Last Wednesday I met with an ENT. I really wasn't sure what to expect with this meeting. I honestly thought that I would have to meet at least one other doctor before we set up a surgery date - but I was wrong. Dr Peters was so nice and fortunately I did not hear anything new that I didn't know already. I already knew that I had "the best cancer" that someone could get. I already knew that I would have to have my whole thyroid removed. I already knew that I would have to be on thyroid medication for the rest of my life.
I am so thankful that I got in so quickly and got a surgery date scheduled so fast. I know part of it is because my husband is a resident at UAB, so that helped my chances quite a bit. I also know that part of it is because I am so young and having this kind of cancer is a big deal, even though many people need to have their thyroids out.
Only 19 out of 100,000 people are diagnosed with papillary carcinoma each year. Most are women and are 30+. Well, I am a woman, but I am 28 - so that's a big deal. My mother and I have joked that if my husband hasn't figured out that I am pretty rare and special yet then this should be a big hint.
Even though I am scared for a surgery like this, I honestly cannot wait for March 28th.
xo - Meredith
Monday, March 7, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Persistence
Persistence, per the Merriam- Webster dictionary: (noun) the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people.
The reason why I chose this word to define my blog is because it basically defines my life. I am THE definition of persistence. From my first post, you found out that my first day in this world was not the easiest. I know that's ridiculous to bring up my birth story at 28 years old - but it makes me who I am.
My birth mother was only 18 years old, was "using" birth control - but obviously not well enough, and had no idea that she was pregnant. I know we have all thought that - how can you NOT know? I know they have tv shows about not knowing you were pregnant.. so I guess it can happen. Well, I came in to this world because she was having stomach pains which turned out hey you are having a baby! She did not even want to stay around the rest of the day to see how things were progressing.
The persistence comes in at day 1. I was 2lbs 6oz and 15in at birth and not doing well. The nurses in the hospital were taken back by my fight so they called me Hope. I was in the hospital for weeks and all during that time, an adoption agency had found my forever home. The story goes that I had several spinal taps, many months of physical therapy as a baby, and so on. My adoptive parents were told that I would be severely disabled for the rest of my life. At a certain point, the doctors told my parents that I did not need all the doctors visits and physical therapy anymore - that I was fine.
As far as my persistence in daily life, I have had problems with math. I have a diagnosed learning disability in math. It caused me great stress throughout school as it embarrassed me to no end that I could not "do" math. Now I have accepted it and even though I still get a little bit embarrassed, it really doesn't bother me. Ive had the typical setbacks in life like not being able to go en pointe in ballet class at the same time as my peers due to the fact that my "hamstrings were too strong" (I STILL don't understand that), not passing my graphic design sophomore review in college, failing a big board exam twice. Those are just some of the big ones that stick out to me at the moment, but there are so many instances in my life thus far.
God put me in this word for a purpose and all these little silly bumps along the way are just that - silly. He would never put me through something I cannot handle. The Lord put me with the BEST parents in the entire world so that I could have the life I deserved. I prayed for the a caring husband and God put Sean into my life. I know he put us in Birmingham so we could be around the best physicians in the country at one of the top hospitals. The Lord knew I was going to get this thyroid cancer, but I know it is not just a fluke. He is putting me through this because He knows that my family and I can handle it.
I still hate the C word but I have started to accept it. I am going to get through all of this mess due to the fact I know I have a God that loves me unconditionally and can bring me through it all.
xo - Meredith
The reason why I chose this word to define my blog is because it basically defines my life. I am THE definition of persistence. From my first post, you found out that my first day in this world was not the easiest. I know that's ridiculous to bring up my birth story at 28 years old - but it makes me who I am.
My birth mother was only 18 years old, was "using" birth control - but obviously not well enough, and had no idea that she was pregnant. I know we have all thought that - how can you NOT know? I know they have tv shows about not knowing you were pregnant.. so I guess it can happen. Well, I came in to this world because she was having stomach pains which turned out hey you are having a baby! She did not even want to stay around the rest of the day to see how things were progressing.
The persistence comes in at day 1. I was 2lbs 6oz and 15in at birth and not doing well. The nurses in the hospital were taken back by my fight so they called me Hope. I was in the hospital for weeks and all during that time, an adoption agency had found my forever home. The story goes that I had several spinal taps, many months of physical therapy as a baby, and so on. My adoptive parents were told that I would be severely disabled for the rest of my life. At a certain point, the doctors told my parents that I did not need all the doctors visits and physical therapy anymore - that I was fine.
As far as my persistence in daily life, I have had problems with math. I have a diagnosed learning disability in math. It caused me great stress throughout school as it embarrassed me to no end that I could not "do" math. Now I have accepted it and even though I still get a little bit embarrassed, it really doesn't bother me. Ive had the typical setbacks in life like not being able to go en pointe in ballet class at the same time as my peers due to the fact that my "hamstrings were too strong" (I STILL don't understand that), not passing my graphic design sophomore review in college, failing a big board exam twice. Those are just some of the big ones that stick out to me at the moment, but there are so many instances in my life thus far.
God put me in this word for a purpose and all these little silly bumps along the way are just that - silly. He would never put me through something I cannot handle. The Lord put me with the BEST parents in the entire world so that I could have the life I deserved. I prayed for the a caring husband and God put Sean into my life. I know he put us in Birmingham so we could be around the best physicians in the country at one of the top hospitals. The Lord knew I was going to get this thyroid cancer, but I know it is not just a fluke. He is putting me through this because He knows that my family and I can handle it.
I still hate the C word but I have started to accept it. I am going to get through all of this mess due to the fact I know I have a God that loves me unconditionally and can bring me through it all.
xo - Meredith
Friday, February 26, 2016
Hope
Hope. According the the Merriam Webster dictionary Hope is defined as: (verb) to want something to happen or to be true and think it could happen or be true. It's also my name.. or was. I as of next Monday, have been married for 6 months and I changed my name. I used to HATE my name Hope. I hate that most people cannot hear it "ho? cope? pope?" -- yes, I have encountered all those and many more in the past 28 years of life. I hate the " I hoooope you feel better/ have a good birthday" typical blah blah lines. I loathe receiving items at christmas - due to the fact that its all HOPE as in Christmas hope.
I love the reason why I have my name though. I came in to the world an accident. My birthmother did not know she was pregnant so in October of 1987, I made my way into this world a surprise. The story goes that I was named Hope by the hospital staff due to the fact I was a very small preemie baby. My adoptive parents decided to keep that name as it is basically a part of me.
Today, February 26th, I am embracing my name.
Yesterday I received a phone call at work, saying that the lump on my thyroid is cancer. The C word freaks me out. I am having a hard time even saying it. It still doesn't seem real. I am healthy, nothing hurts, I feel fine.. yet I have cancer. Me. At 28 years old.. I have the C word.
Even though I have changed my name, I am Meredith and no longer Hope.. I am now embracing my name and I am Hope through and through. I am hopeful that this is all going to be taken care of. Nothing in my life has really come too easily, so I am hopeful that I will get through all of this mess.
xo - Meredith
I love the reason why I have my name though. I came in to the world an accident. My birthmother did not know she was pregnant so in October of 1987, I made my way into this world a surprise. The story goes that I was named Hope by the hospital staff due to the fact I was a very small preemie baby. My adoptive parents decided to keep that name as it is basically a part of me.
Today, February 26th, I am embracing my name.
Yesterday I received a phone call at work, saying that the lump on my thyroid is cancer. The C word freaks me out. I am having a hard time even saying it. It still doesn't seem real. I am healthy, nothing hurts, I feel fine.. yet I have cancer. Me. At 28 years old.. I have the C word.
Even though I have changed my name, I am Meredith and no longer Hope.. I am now embracing my name and I am Hope through and through. I am hopeful that this is all going to be taken care of. Nothing in my life has really come too easily, so I am hopeful that I will get through all of this mess.
xo - Meredith
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