Saturday, February 18, 2012

Sandi's Thyroid---The Update Finally!


Very late yesterday afternoon we finally got the call we had been worrying about since we first learned the PET Scan had showed a new problem now with Sandi’s thyroid. Her cancer doctor wanted her to have a thyroid ultrasound to check some things and that was done a week ago yesterday.  Then the waiting for the results began.



Finally, late yesterday afternoon a nurse from the cancer doc just called and they think the thyroid is NOT a new problem. They could see it on the ultrasound much better than they could in the past because apparently some of the cancer that was around it is no longer there. Not only does this confirm that the chemo is making a little progress against both of the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas that were everywhere in her body, the test seems to confirm that nothing has changed with her thyroid. Thankfully this latest scare is nothing more than the same issue she has lived with for more than a decade now.

To make absolutely sure nothing new has started they will do some sort of thyroid panel during her blood work prior to the planned next round of chemo later this month. Assuming that shows what they expect, nothing more will be done about this thyroid issue until she has finished chemo and stabilized a bit so she can do follow-up work with an endocrinologist. It is the best possible news we could have gotten on it and hopefully this won’t change later with new information.

That is yet another thing that makes this process so hard. Information gets updated and changes and just when you think everything is going one way, something happens and all that is out the window as things head in another way.

In the meantime, Sandi continues to make crochet “chemo hats” which are a huge hit at the treatment center. 
 
Despite having huge issues with her vision---another side effect of chemo apparently---she is able to keep making the hats in various colors and styles as she does a lot of the work these days more by feel than by vision. Depending on size (she is making adult and children hats) she can get 3 to 4 hats out of each skein on yarn. Folks love them! 

 
So, as long as she can, Sandi plans to keep making and donating the hats to her fellow patients. In the meantime, she has marked down things again at http://www.ioffer.com/users/sanditipple  to get some money so please stop by and take a look.


Kevin

25 comments:

Barry Ergang said...

It's wonderful to hear some positive news.

Terry W. Ervin II said...

Great to read of some positive news! Hang in there, both of you!

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Thank you, Barry. It is a start. :)))

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Thank you, Terry. We are trying.

Randy Johnson said...

Good news, Kevin. We just know Sandi will continue to improve. A remarkable woman that continues to give comfort wit the hats to other folks.

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Thank you, Randy. One hopes.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Great news, Kevin. You were certainly overdue for some.

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Yep.....hopefully nothing will change and this is right.

mb said...

<> to you both. The boys too. That's social-media-ridiculous since I don't even know you. But the true heart-felt response to your posting. #love #love

Kevin R. Tipple said...

And much appreciated, MB.

mb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ChrisChat said...

Great News! Love her hats! I'm always looking for hats like Sandi's making. Wish I had her talent. Hugs

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Thanks, Chris. Want one?

Sandi is donating them to the cancer patients but I am sure we could send you one for free.

Susan said...

So good to hear about Sandy - you two certainly deserve a break!

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Thank you, Susan.

LJ Roberts said...

That is very good news! Unfortunately, my job has ended, but I'll try to keep helping when I can. Hugs to all!

Linda Lyons-Bailey (for GBM4cure) said...

Those are some cute hats. I'm so sorry Sandi is so sick. Just glad she doesn't have another problem on top of everything else going on.

Best of luck to you two. I'm now going to be unemployed on top of no insurance and Bob having cancer, so I feel for you guys big time.

Caroline Clemmons said...

Kevin, wonderful to hear the news! Finally, something positive. She is still in my prayers, as are you and your boys. Remember Winston Churchill's famous saying:

Never, never, never give up!

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Oh, LJ, I am so sorry about your job. Don't worry about us--take care of yourself.

Kevin R. Tipple said...

God, Linda...this too.....I am so sorry. It just keeps coming.

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Thank you, Caroline. I have a hard time believing it...you know how I am. :)))

Morgan Mandel said...

I'm glad the news was encouraging this time.

Morgan Mandel

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Me too, Morgan and thank you. So much of the news has been so very bad I hope this really is true.

Honora Mulligan said...

I've been offline for several days but do follow you guys (even though we don't "know" each other) and I'm so very happy to hear good news for a change. Tell Sandi to keep up the good work and keep on fighting!!!! She can beat this, as I've told you before.

BTW, those hats are adorable, and I would also wonder if there could be a market for them for other folks so that a little more $$$$ could flow into your coffers?

Kevin R. Tipple said...

Will do and thank you, Honora.

I'm sure there is a market for them. But that means we would be taking money from cancer patients and their families if we were to sell them. We hate to do that.

God knows we need every penny we can get. But, to take money from cancer patients and their families when we know how rough things are is just not right.