Update 12-5-10

Hey Everyone,

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are getting ready to have a Blessed Christmas season. I have a lot to be thankful for, but also need to ask you all to continue praying for me, and my Thyroid Cancer Journey. About a month ago I was having some really severe pain in my back, but it was different than I have ever felt, it was a really sharp pain that was aggravated when I would move (especially getting in and out of a chair) or lean back against it. I had a feeling that it had something to do with one of the screws in my back, because the pain was right around a spot where you could feel one of the screws, and it almost looked a little bit swollen to Josh. The pain was really bad for about 10 days, so I scheduled an appointment with the doctor. Of course by the time I got in to see him, the pain was not as bad, but of course I was still going to go. I went early in the morning, and had an X-Ray before Josh and I met with him. When we saw the X-Ray, the cause of the pain seemed to be apparent, one of the rods in my back seemed to not be in line with the other. The doctor wanted to be sure he was seeing things correctly, and that my back was not twisted for the X-Ray, causing this angle. He sent me straight for a CT scan, and then wanted me to come right back after the scan. As soon as we left to go down for the scan, I knew in the back of my mind that our suspicions were correct, but of course wanted to be sure. If you don't remember I have a "metal cage" to support where the doctors removed most of 2 1/2 vertebra in my first surgery, as well as two metal rods held in by screws. In the two surgeries I have had on my back since they were put in, the doctor has had to take them out, and put them back, and extend one of them. When we met with the doctor a second time, he confirmed what we already knew, I needed another surgery. It turns out that the top screw holding the right rod in my back is working its way out of the bone. I asked the doctor if this was a common occurrence, and he said NO but he could understand why it happened in my case. Since they have had to take the screws in and out, and since I have had radiation to that area, the hold of the screw was compromised. So surgery # 8 will be coming some time after the New Year. The plan right now is to remove the whole rod on the right side. During surgery, he will make sure that the left rod is secure, and enough support my back, but since I have had time to heal since my original surgery, he feels that one rod should be enough. As long as my pain stays under control, Josh and I (along with my doctor) decided it would be best to wait until January. I do not want to have surgery right before Christmas or my 25th birthday on the 30th of December. If I were to be in too much pain, the doctor said he could squeeze me in before Christmas. I had an MRI of my spine last Monday, but have not heard back on the results of that. I have asked the doctor to scan as well as consult with my other doctors to see if there is anything else that needs attention, because if I am being operated on, I want as much done at one time as possible.
I also started the new medication, Nexavar on October 22nd, so I have been on it for almost 6 weeks. I am tolerating it much better than the Sutent. It was at 6 weeks that they had to take me off of Sutent because of all the side effects and my blood counts dropping. Dr. B is watching my blood work weekly, and it has dropped a little but nothing too drastic. They will have to watch my platelet count, because that cannot be too low before my surgery. I have been quite fatigued, but am doing what I can, and resting when I need to. Thank God I have understanding bosses, and I still have a job (if anyone does not know I work for my parents). My dad says this is my time to get better, so that I am around to work at the store when he wants to retire in the future. I have had some nausea too, and a few other minor side effects, but overall I am tolerating the medication.
I want to thank you all for your continued prayers for Josh and I, and our families. It means so much to us to know how much support we have out there. I will be sure to update you once I have a surgery date.

I wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Very Happy New Year.