Ok folks here it is - why I have been having a hard time.
This is a bit of a story.
My first husband died in 1978 of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2A. It is a cancer of the endocrine glands. I was 8 months pregnant with our first child when he was diagnosed in 1973 and required surgery. He died at 26 after having been struck again twice after that. I was 25 and my two sons were 2 and 4. Since that time we have learned that the disease is hereditary. My husband's two sisters, his brother, his cousins have all had some form of this cancer and have had multiple surgeries. They have all survived. My husband was diagnosed too late to save and too early for the knowledge they have now.
My oldest son had his thyroid removed and one adrenal gland due to this cancer. My youngest son had his thyroid removed. My granddaughter has inherited the gene and has had her thyroid removed. My two grandsons did not inherit the gene.
About a month ago my oldest son's testing came back that there was something not right. We have been on pins and needles while we waited for further testing. The results came back today.
He has a tumor on his second adrenal gland but it is so small that immediate surgery is not required. He has another appointment in March at which time they will redo the testing and decide what is the next step.
I have been worried sick about my son. It has also brought back a lot of difficult memories as I struggled to deal with the illnesses and eventual death of my first husband. I know, first hand, that things don't always turn out they way you want them too.
My family, my BFF Beatrice and others have done all they could to help me through this.
My second husband, who I dearly love, has suffered through this with me. He has had to deal with my tears, my temper and my ever changing moods as I struggled through this. He has been a father to my children since they were 5 and 7 and he loves my sons as much as I do.
And so, we are relieved that things are ok and we wait for the spring and what happens then.
In the meantime, life will go on. We will celebrate Thanksgiving/Christmas with our family, pack up and head to Arizona for the winter and go from there.
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44 comments:
Oh my goodness - what a LOAD you've been carrying around with you!!!! It's so difficult to have to stand by, knowing there's not a whole lot you can do, and just wait. I am hoping you get the good news you need soon, and you and your family are in my thoughts. (((Kathy)))
Kathy, so sorry to hear that your family is under constant vigilence against this disease. It's good that everyone is under doctor's care and I hope that things turn out for the best. I'll be thinking of you.
(((Kathy)))
{{{{Kathy}}}}
Prayers and postitve thoughts for your family
(((hugs)))
OMG Kathy! You have all suffered and survived so much...many, many prayers and hugs for you and your son.
Take care!
You've had a rough road to travel. I so hope your son is OK. My best wishes to you and your family.
Oh Kathy, you have been through so much. What a difficult situation to find yourself and your family in after everything. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and with your son. And I am sending you the biggest, warmest hugs I can in cyberspace. I am 26 and I could not imagine losing my husband so young and carrying on with 2 small children as you did. Your strength is an inspiration to us all.
(((hugs)))
Oh, Kathy, what a lot has been heaped on your plate. Much more than your fair share. ***hugs***
Oh my goodness, what a trial you've being living through - my thoughts are with you and your family as you work through this. My fingers and toes are crossed for a positive outcome for your son! {{hugs}}
My thoughts are with you and I hope it all works out for your son.
Clare
Goodness how stressful. Wishing your family continued positive news.
Adding my prayers for your son and for your family as you face this difficult time. Hope the next round of testing will bring good news!!
Wow! What a story. You have been through a lot. You are a strong person and I admire you for that. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.
(((HUGS))).
Sending lots of hugs your way Kathy. I'm glad they have caught it early, and that your family have the knowledge of the gene that causes it.
Wishing you and all your family all the best!
Oooh Kathy, I know this is really hard for you.
I keep your son and all of you in my thoughts and prayers that everything will turn out good for him. I wish you and your family all the best.
Sending you big Belgian hugs,
Wendy
{{{HUGS}}}
My thoughts are with you and your family
We are here for you Kathy
Wishing you all strength for the coming months.. May spring bring you only good news!!
Oh, Kathy! ((((HUGS)))) Just writing this must've been so hard for you. I wish I could hug you in person!! My best wishes go out to your entire wonderful family.
At least having a course of action is better than not knowing...A big hug to ya...and all your family.
Sending lots of (((hugs))).
Kathy...that all sounds just so hard. I cannot begin to imagine but I'm thankful you have the support of family and friends to see you through it all. {{{{{HUGS}}}}} and prayers for you and yours.
Hi Kathy,
I'm so sorry that you and your
family have had such pain, grief
and worry to deal with over the
years. I am glad that you have
your DH to help you through it
all, along with other family
members, and of course Beatrice.
I am glad that the Doctors were vigilant enough to catch this incarnation of the decease when
it is still small and they have time to plan a strong course of
action for whatever may lay ahead.
I will hold you all in my thoughts
and prayers and hope that every-
thing works out for the best for
your son.
Love and hugs Judy
I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers. A strong family is a good medicine and I am so happy you are all stitcking together and giving each what he/she needs.
Remember Kathy, I am praying and Beatrice, I bet is praying...Hope is a small word that has a lot of meaning...but where there is life and love, there is always hope.
A big hug to you Kathy!!
Take care!!
Marion
You're in my prayers! Hugs!
Oh my goodness Kathy, what a weight on your mind. And how sad to hear about your first husband, how on earth did you cope.
I am glad they have more knowledge about the illness now and early detection and testing is so good.
Prayers and hugs for you and your family xx
I am sorry for everything that you have had to go through. I will keep you in my prayers
Thank you for sharing your burden with us. I'm so sorry you've had all this to deal with. Will be keeping you and all your family in my prayers and thoughts. ((HUGS))
I am so sorry to hear this - how hard it must be to deal with not only what's currently going on with your son, but also all the old feelings and fear it brings up. I'm sending my hugs and prayers to you and your family!
Hugs to you. If there's anything you need just let me know....
Will be sending you good thoughts :)
Kathy, I dearly feel for you. I'm sending you positive thoughts.
Sending good thoughts your way. Hopefully things will be okay for your family. (hugs)
Kathy, i have never read your blog before but my heart goes out to you and what you have gone through and are dealing with.
(((hugs))) to you and yours
Maggie xx
Kathy I'm so happy that its not the worst case scenario! You know I'm always here for you!
My prayers are with you and your family. I can't imagine what you''ve have to endure. I can only know what incredible strength you must have.Hang in there. Miracles still happen!
Kathy, you dear precious friend.
I am so sorry you lost your first husband and so sad to hear that nasty cancer has affected so many in your life. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers and pray by your son's next appt., there will be nothing there to worry about...ever again.
Sending you much love and big hugs!
Kathy, I'm so sorry I just read this, because I should have been here to give you a virtual hug much, much earlier on. I wish it could be a real one!
Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. It is such *a lot* to share. I very much hope your son at least feels okay and that he (and your entire family, of course) can get through the next couple of months enjoying all the goodness Fall and Winter have to bring. Positive vibes headed your way!
((((Kathy)))) My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kathy, my heart goes out to you. I know you must be worried sick. The fact that they have found it so early is in his favour though. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Kathy! I'm sorry I missed your post. Not been on for a bit due to sick baby. I'm so sorry for your loss and all the pain you and your family have gone through. I will be praying for you and yours hun. x
O dear Kathy, you must have had a hard time. I am so sorry to read this. I hope things will turn out as best as possible for your son.
Hugs, Carolien
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