Monday, August 15, 2016

Nothing Prepares You for the "C" Word

The week started off normal enough.  After work/school, we headed to Kerry's house as a family for a bon voyage party for Bjorn and his family who return to Belgium after a few years in MN as expats.  It was a great time catching up with some great co-workers and former co-workers.  Maci loved running around with the big girls!
 She Keeps Me Busy
Good People!

On Tuesday we celebrated summer with Maci and Connor's daycare pals with the summer carnival after work.  It was HOT so we didn't stay too long but Maci sure has a gaggle of friends and Connor is loved by all his teachers :)
Look who poses for her teacher 
 Playing with Olympic Rings or so they say. . . 

Wednesday was a scary day for Clint.  He had a biopsy for a lump he found on his neck about a month ago.  Initially the Dr thought was an inflamed lymph node and told him to give it a week.  Last week, he had a CT and ultrasound which both came back in conclusive so they decided to progress to biopsy.  Clint and I had a hard time the night before with all the unknown that comes with the word biopsy but I told him he will be fine because I truly felt comfortable that he would be.  Clint said the biopsy was not too painful even though he had needles put into his neck.  He also really appreciated a nurse that helped him talk through "the worst case" situations and how even those are "worst case" since if you were to get the "C" word, this is the one you want.  I can't even wrap my mind around that concept at this point.  While we worried about adult problems, Connor enjoyed some painting at school - this is what keeps us smiling.
Cutie
 Concentrating on His Work


Thursday will be a day engraved in our memory.  We started the day with Clint heading to an ENT specialist.  This specialist said that the CT made her believe it was thyroid related but without the results, she wouldn't know what she was dealing with.  However, again Clint took comfort in talking with an expert who has years of experience with these matters.  Then I got a call in the afternoon from Clint.  He confirmed he was told it was Thyroid cancer.  As I write this about a 1/2 week later it is harder to type those words.  When he told me that day I was stoic.  I am not sure if I knew I had to be strong for him or if I was just in a daze.  I spoke to a few co-workers, still very much clueless as to what I was saying or experiencing.  Finally around 345p I realized I was getting nothing accomplished, I felt for my husband who by then had shared he was crying at home talking to relatives and I wanted to go focus on something that meant far more than my growing inbox.  Clint and I had a good hug and talked for a bit before picking up the kids.  We have decided to not say anything to either child.  Obviously Connor would be clueless but Maci wouldn't fully understand and no reason to worry a 3.5 year old about her dad's health.  We will determine how to explain his surgery to her when that ultimately occurs - HOW IS THIS HAPPENING?!  Ahh sorry, I have that moment every so often when I get so focused on planning next steps and then realize - How did we get told he has Cancer.  Yes, from what we hear it is the one you want to get - if that makes any sense but still it is a word I want no where near my loved ones!!  We spent the rest of the evening hugging, playing and packing for a now perfectly timed trip to Wisconsin Dells for a long weekend of R&R.

We appreciate all of the kind words and offers to assist!  We know we will be leaning on this support system in the coming weeks/months.  We truly do know Clint will be OK, he knows nothing else!  We feel the warmth from all our friends and family and we know that will get us through the toughest moments.  This coming Wednesday we will have his consultation and hopefully schedule surgery to remove the lump/thyroid before proceeding with Iodine treatments.  We will be sure to keep loved ones updated through this blog and of course cute kid pictures will continue seeing as that is what keeps a smile on everyone's faces, ours included!

Lots of Love,
C, K, M & C

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