things happen for a reason...

I hope that as you read this, all of you are doing well. First, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of those that have left me messages of support. Your support is something that keeps me going through the hard times.

Yesterday, I woke up early to head to the hospital. After waiting for a couple hours, I was taken into the prep area for surgery. However, before they started anything, the doctor wanted to speak with me. On the last minute, my surgery was cancelled. The doctor did not feel comfortable with performing the surgery because the tumors to be removed are very close to the vocal cords, nerves, and parathyroid making it a very risky surgery.

Why risky? Well, a wrong move could leave me speechless for the rest of my life, the nerves could be damaged and I could loose sensitivity or even movement in the left side of my body, or my parathyroid could be damaged and I'll have to be taking calcium supplements for life.

He felt the need to explore the area of my neck in more detail with studies such as a CT scan, ultrasounds, and other blood tests. The results of the CT scan will be compared to the PET scan that was done in February and the previous CT scan done last summer. He will also consult with an oncology radiologist to be certain that the right thing to do is go in and surgically remove the tumors.

Although I wish I would have been informed of this sooner because it would've relieved all the stress I've experienced throughout the entire semester, I guess it is better late than never. All the studies the doctor wanted to do were done yesterday in the hospital and they take a while to get the results back. Now, I just need to wait until next week's Wednesday for my appointment with him.

Again, thanks a lot for the positive thoughts, the prayers, the love. I will be keeping you informed of whatever happens as well as the doctor's decisions.

Love always,
Laura

bad news again :-(

Hello everyone!
It has been a very long time since I wrote in this space as I thought it was going to be the last time I would have to deal with cancer. As some of you may already know, the cancer has recurred and it has to be surgically removed.

I've been avoiding writing and talking about it, perhaps because I didn't want or couldn't deal with this again. I tried to focus in school and my research so I could finish the semester. Now the semester is over, the days go by quickly, and I ran out of time of not wanting to talk about it as the day for the surgery gets closer. On Tuesday, I will be going into the OR of Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa, hopefully for the last time. Thanks for the prayers and positive thoughts. I know they are being heard up there :)

I will be keeping you informed of the results of the surgery once I have access to my computer again.

Hugs!
Laura

back to reality

Hello everybody!
I am back in Iowa safe and sound. Extremely grateful for the outcome of my surgery and with hopes for better health from now on. The time for moving in to my new apartment is coming way too fast, and I am hardly prepared to do so. Plus, I haven't even started to pack at all. Right now I am concerned on my health and that my wound heals quick. On Wednesday I have an appointment with my doctor here in Ames to remove the stitches. The surgeon said I could do it myself but I am sort of a coward when it comes to these things. I'd rather have someone else do it.

Now, back to reality. I need to finish some projects for a class I'm taking. Moving is also a priority, but my class is more important. Mom is here, and she has been great in helping me get stuff for my new place.

I have no way of thanking all of you for the support you've given me and the love you have shown throughout these 2 years. I have no idea what I would've done without it.
Thanks a lot and receive a big hug from me!
Laura

it wasn't cancer this time

Hello again!
Today, I had an appointment with the surgeon to discuss details about the surgery. Even though all the tests and analyses done prior to the surgery indicated the presence of metastatic papillary carcinoma, the doctor was really surprised because what he found wasn't cancer. What I had was a swollen fibrotic salivary gland. He called the clinic in Iowa and asked to have back the slides of the biopsy to compare those tissue samples with the mass he removed. We'll see what happens now.

I believe it was a miracle this happened and also prayers helped a lot for it to be this way. I cannot be more grateful for my health than what I am now. Thanks to all of you for the support, the prayers, the love. :)
I love all of you lots!
Laura

updates on surgery

Hello Everybody!
Surgery was this morning. Woke up pretty early to be at the hospital on time. I went into the operating room around 8 in the morning and by 11:30 was already out in the recovery area. My mom and my boyfriend Daniel where here and also Diane, my friend Anne's mom. The doctor's assistant during sugery said the incision is really small. It doesn't hurt very much either. At least it doesn't hurt as much as my previous surgery. We don't have many details about the surgery yet. The assistant also said the nodule was successfully removed. It seems that everything went well. Now we just have to wait and hope for the best! :)

I was discharged of the hospital around 2:30 pm and am already resting in the hotel room. I feel a bit dizzy due to medications. Tomorrow I have an appointment to go see my doctor where he will explain (I hope) what he did during surgery. Tomorrow I will post more after my appointment with the doctor.

Thanks for all the phone calls, prayers, etc... I love all of you very much!
Hugs and kisses,
Laura

nothing new...

Hello all!
There's really nothing new going on at the time. The surgery is still scheduled for July 21st and for now I guess we'll just have to wait. I called the clinic today again to check if the doctor was available to talk to me. He wasn't in yet. I've been waiting for his phone call for the past week. In the mean time, my mom and I have been searching for furniture because I am moving to a new aparment in a couple weeks.

I've also been trying to keep myself busy by going to latin dance lessons with my mom (salsa, merengue, bachata, cha cha cha, among others), grilling out on beautiful summer days, taking care of my mini-herb garden, or going to the lake with some friends. You can check out some pictures of the lake in the Photo Gallery.

Well, that's all for now. I will write later with more news. Hope all of you have a nice day.

Love always,
Laura

There's a date...

Greetings!
Hope all of you had a great long weekend. I know I had a good one :-) But now to business. I called the doctor today and spoke with his secretary (again). She said the doctor wanted to talk to me first but because its the 4th time I call to schedule a surgical date, she gave me a date for the surgery. The surgery is scheduled for Friday July 21st.

Now, I have to wait for the doctor's call. I don't really know what the doctor wants to talk to me about. I guess I will have to wait and find out. I will let you all know when I have more news.
Hugs and kisses!
Laura