Merry Christmas

And if you are REALLY bored

I have added the Christmas letter

Christmas Correspondence from Curt & Coleen

December 2014

Canyon Vistas: We left our AZ winter home in mid-April and hope to return to our little desert casa the end of January 2015.

Chicago: Kari and the two of us spent 5 days in the Windy City in early June. Baseball, museums, geocaching, food, and a side trip to MI & IL to see friends were on the agenda. Her agenda included stops at cheese and wine shops in WI.

Celebration: In August the Schaffer siblings and their offspring gathered in Aberdeen to help my mother celebrate her 85^th Birthday. Our Christmas photo is from that event. Three children, ten grandchildren, and fourteen of fifteen great-grandchildren enjoyed pizza, birthday cake and a fun day at Storybook Land.

Custer State Park: I don’t have a long bucket list but one of the things I have wanted to do for a number of years, is to attend the buffalo roundup at Custer State Park in September. We did and enjoyed it, but agreed we probably would not do it again.

Caching: Curt and I saw every corner of the state this summer in our quest to collect some challenge geocaches. Cemeteries, back roads, Indian reservations, small and even extinct communities were just a few of our destinations. We had a blast!

Caring for Grandchildren: Willa (4 ½) and Marek (2 ½) had several opportunities to spend time at our house while Karl & Crystal enjoyed some stay-cations. Visits to the zoo and area parks were their favorite activities, as well as playing with the toys their daddy and auntie had as children.

Camping: The casa on wheels was used in June, July, August & September, mostly at Hart Ranch in the Black Hills, but also in Sioux Falls. We hope it will see some road time next summer, as that was the original plan for the smaller unit and the new truck.

Cataracts: Curt has been complaining about his eyesight for two years. New glasses in Mexico did not help, so he bit the bullet and had cataract surgeries in August. A final surgery in December will get those brown orbs ready for night driving and the trip to AZ.

Coincidence: Since we needed to hang out in SD until Thanksgiving (eye surgery) Curt had a total right hip replacement in early October. (He was complaining about that, too!) All was going well when three weeks later, he slipped and fell and broke the femur in the very same…right leg. He will be weight bearing by the end of the month. Bye-bye walker & wheelchair.

Cancer: I was totally surprised when I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer the end of October. Both right and left lobes were removed. I will take a radioactive pill on Dec. 16^th, followed by several days in quarantine. The final check-up, we hope, is Jan. 20^th. The bags will be packed for AZ!

Celebrating: The seven of us gathered Thanksgiving weekend to count our blessings and to celebrate Christmas. We call it Thankmas. The weekend was planned long before we knew we would be spending winter (ok, only 2-3 months) in the North Country. One of the positives of this extended stay is being able to see our granddaughter’s Christmas programs at church and preschool.

Closing: May your blessings be many and your troubles few. Merry Christmas!

                                                                                     Curt & Coleen

The What & Why of Radioiodine Treatment

This post is as much for my children and family as for anyone. If this topic doesn't interest you, you can skip this post.

I am less than 48 hours from the end of the suggested isolation period. I am less than 48 hours from the T131 Body Scan that will show if any thyroid tissue remains. The reason this is important is because the cancer was in the thyroid and to be sure it does not reappear or go anywhere else, all thyroid tissue needs to be destroyed.

Dr. P gave me a very helpful little booklet during our consult last Wednesday. I know the info was explained by several other medical personnel, but until last Wednesday it was only verbal info along with other info that seemed not important at that moment or too much info to absorb at that moment, or even, unimportant until Wednesday when I swallowed the powerful little gray capsule.

In the last two months I have talked to a number of people who have had thyroid issues or thyroid cancer. I can honestly say no one has had the exact same treatment as mine. That is because there are "several treatments for thyroid cancer including surgery, thyroid hormone use and radioiodine treatment." My treatment includes all three.

"The radioiodine treatment is a common and well-accepted form of treatment for thyroid disorders. I swallowed the radioactive iodine (Iodine-131). The radioactive iodine in the capsule is absorbed from the intestinal tract and taken up by the thyroid tissue." Tuesday's body scan showed 3.3 thyroid tissue remaining. The normal range is 1.3 - 31.8. This is one time I DO NOT want to be in normal range.

"There are two reasons for using the radio iodine treatment:
1) Some cancer cells may remain in the thyroid gland or adjacent lymph nodes after surgery. By receiving the radioiodine treatment, cancer cells remaining in the thyroid or adjacent lymph nodes may be destroyed.
2) Radioiodine is also given to destroy any remaining normal tissue even if it is likely that all cancer was removed during surgery. (The report from Dr. C says the cancer had not spread.) Destroying all remaining thyroid tissue makes it easier for the doctor to monitor for any possible recurrence of thyroid cancer."

The surgeon shared it was nearly impossible to remove ALL thyroid tissue surgically. I guess it isn't an organ like a liver or heart that can be "removed and lifted out". I am going with him as I don't believe I was his first thyroid surgical patient.

"So how does the radio iodine affect the rest of the body? After absorption from the intestinal tract, most radioiodine is taken up by the thyroid gland or by lymph nodes containing thyroid tissue. Radioiodine NOT taken up by thyroid tissue is eliminated from the body. (Refer to the 48 Hour Blog Post)

How long will the radioiodine stay in my body? Most radioiodine not absorbed is eliminated the first few days following treatment.*  Radioiodine concentrated in the thyroid will disappear naturally in several weeks."
*One of the medical consults told me 98% is absorbed or eliminated in the first 48 hours.

Between November 7th and December 3rd I was on a 'shorter acting' thyroid medication which really did help some of the missing-a-thyroid-symptoms I had started to experience in just one week of no thyroid. I had to discontinue that medication because "the absence of any thyroid medication causes the level of a pituitary hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to increase. TSH increases the ability of the thyroid tissue to absorb and concentrate iodine (Monday's capsules) and radioiodine (Wednesday's capsule)." Luckily, Monday's blood work determined the TSH levels were where they needed to be and no further meds were necessary and treatment could proceed.

That section also explains the reason for the low-iodine diet. Eliminating as much iodine from the body as possible will help in the absorption of the first test and the radioiodine treatment.

I have resumed a thyroid medication but thus far I have not noticed any changes. I guess when you do nothing but watch sappy Christmas TV movies for 3 days or is it now 5 days (?) I have not exactly expended any energy! I move from chair to chair to couch to bathroom to bedroom to laundry room. No reason to get upset with anyone or be stiff or ache.

I think my neck area is a bit swollen, but it has not interfered with swallowing. I did not have the metallic taste in my mouth some patients experience. I am sleeping well. I am realizing sitting around all day, and I do mean sitting around, has decreased my appetite. I maybe a little chillier than usual, but again, I am not moving around. (OK, Hubby, I now get it. You were/are cold and not hungry.)

I am cooking dinner tonight. Apricot Chicken over Basmati rice with a salad. Hubby is ready to give up the position of chef. He will be on clean-up duty, however.

Body scan is scheduled for 10:00AM on December 24th. Low-iodine diet will officially be over. I will move back upstairs. And unless you are holding a baby or pregnant, be prepared to receive a hug or a handshake from me if we happen to meet.

On the countdown...

Winter Wonderland

Three or maybe four years ago the local Optimists Club sponsored a drive through lighted display on weekend evenings from Thanksgiving through Christmas. We have not had the opportunity to check it out until this year. We know it has grown in size and popularity each winter. We know why, too.

I was driving and taking photos, probably not using the correct setting on the camera, but I wanted to share a little Winter Wonderland spirit, from our community.

Not a good photo at all but,

I like the lines from the colored lights

Merry Christmas!

48 Hours

It is Friday, past noon, 48+ hours since I swallowed a capsule of radioactive iodine or Iodine-131. 98% of the radioiodine has left my body, according to the consult with Dr. P.

But, I am going to start with Tuesday.

Tuesday
Hubby and I arrived back at the hospital at 10:00 AM for the T121 body scan. (Different iodine. Different body scan.) A short walk and short elevator ride took us to the waiting room of the Nuclear Department. A tech brought me back, told me to lie on the scanning bed and try not to move for 40 minutes as the scan moved on top and below the bed, starting at my head and moving to my toes. To help pass the time, I started counting the songs playing softly in the background, but don't remember getting past six, which would not be 40 minutes. The tech appeared and said they would like another scan of my neck, taking another 10 minutes. Did I want to get up and move before continuing? Nope. Let's git 'er done! She helped me off the bed, told me to report at 11:30 on Wednesday for my radiation dosage. A doc from radiology would be conferring with the endocrinologist after viewing the scans. They would determine the dosage. I was done for the day.

The weather had improved, so we drove back home. After two nights in the hotel, although a VERY NICE hotel, we were ready for home. I did one more grocery run and a few more errands, cooked dinner (burgers with mushrooms, peppers & onions, potatoes & lettuce salad), a sort-of low-iodine comfort food. I finished moving some things to the basement. Now I was as ready as I could be.

Wednesday
The sun was shining for the 100 mile trip. I got to the nuclear department at 11:25 only to learn I needed to go back to the registration desk and check-in. OK. I did not see that on my note from yesterday. Back down and back up. The tech, a different one, called me back to begin my consult and paperwork. Dr. P sat across from me and explained what I would be getting that morning, discussed the paperwork and then talked. He asked how the cancer was found, what were my symptoms? Did I have thyroid issues prior to this? I was very comfortable with him, was able to ask questions, and got answers to questions no one else had answered. Yes, I could use my computer, phone, kindle within the first 48 hours. He asked what I was experiencing now, after the thyroid has been removed and shared all that would get better. He also shared the side effects after taking the pill. Possible nausea.

Isolation for 48 hours. "Most radioiodine not absorbed by thyroid tissue is eliminated through urine the first few days following treatment. A much smaller amount of radioiodine is eliminated through feces, salvia and sweat in a week to 10 days. Radioiodine concentrated in the thyroid will disappear naturally in several weeks."***

After the first 2 days, and for the next 5 days:
Maintain a distance of 6 feet from others
Sleep alone
Drink plenty of liquids
Use disposable utensils
Use separate bath linens
Stay away from small children & pregnant women
Use good hygiene habits; wash hands frequently & flush toilet twice after each use

All doable.

I signed papers. He signed papers. The tech came back and checked all the paperwork and initialed a check list. One more person came in, asked if I had any other questions, checked the paperwork and added his initials.

The tech came back wearing rubber gloves and carrying a larger (than Monday's) metal canister. I was not thinking or I would have asked at that point if I could take a photo. When I did ask, she said no, as she had opened the canister and the single, gray capsule was already exposed. It lay on the plastic cap of the bottle inside the canister. I was to put the cap to my lips, dump in the pill (without touching it) and swallow it with lots of water. I did. I was wished a very nice vacation and sent on my way. I joked and said all my days are vacation days; I am retired, after all. He smiled and said, "Your ALONE vacation." Got it.

I got back in the van and drove 100 miles in sunshine, walked into the house and down the basement. Hubby did have chili cooking for dinner. He put my serving in a disposable bowl and placed it at the top of the steps. I climbed up and brought it down and ate every bit and asked for more. I spent the day and evening watching TV Christmas movies and shows.

The special bonus to the day? A get well card from AZ geocachers!

Thursday
I had a great sleep. Made some coffee, oatmeal, and watched more sappy Christmas movies...all day long. ***radiation also leaves the body through tears

The body scan result report was in the mail yesterday. "The thyroglobulin is detectable as expected with a value of 3.3. This will hopefully drop to less than 0.1 after iodine therapy. The pre-treatment whole body iodine scan shows activity in the expected areas of the neck. No evidence of metastatic disease elsewhere. Good results thus far." YES!!!!!

Had a tossed salad with chicken for dinner. Talked to friends on the phone. (Thanks for the phone calls as it was so good to hear your voices.) Watched more never-seen-before-Christmas movies.

Friday
Slept well. Nauseous this morning. Ate some muffins (low-iodine) about 2:00. Watching more back-to-back-never-seen-before-Christmas shows, in the basement. Alone. A shower is on the schedule. This post is on the schedule (it is taking more than 2 hours to compose). I will stay down here until sometime Saturday or Sunday, or until hubby needs some 'guidance' in the kitchen. He continues to move about upstairs with the cane and surviving alone. I hope he is enjoying the quiet time.

I return to the hospital on December 24th for the T131 body scan. But more about that in another post...

Have a great day. I am!

Preschool Angel

Hubby and I feel so blessed to have been able to see two of Miss W's Christmas Programs. Miss W does not realize it is a special event. She is just excited G'pa & G'ma come see her & her brother.

Monday after 'pre-treatment' we drove back to the church for the MWF afternoon group Preschool Christmas Program. (I wonder if Mrs. Sue & staff had 4 programs????)

Mcbe entertaining us prior to the program

20 little people to tell the Gospel story of Christmas

Our angel

Her 3 Kings

I missed the Angel appearing to Mary

Mary & Joseph traveling to Bethlehem

Mary lying the Baby in a manger

Sharing the story through song

Shepherds and their sheep

Shepherds arrive at the stable

Star guiding the Wisemen

Three Kings arrive at the stable

Choir of angels singing praise & joy

Out of costumes for secular songs

Songs & actions

Our church had a fair trade sale of items earlier this month. I bought a wooden nativity set to give to Miss W and Mcbe so they could play, re-enact, make-up, whatever using the 10 pieces. The set included a cow, donkey & a sheep. The people included Mary, an angel, a shepherd, 3 kings, and the Baby in a manger.  After the Sunday School program, I gave the set to Miss W and asked it she knew what it represented and could tell the story?

SHE COULD TELL THE STORY! The angel appeared to Mary and said to not be afraid. She was going to have a baby. Then Mary rode the donkey, but since there was no Joseph (?) the shepherd took his place. They arrived, but there was no room, so they went to the stable where the cow was resting. Mary had the Baby. (It was already in a manger.) Then the angel appeared to the shepherd in the field with his sheep. She told him not to be afraid. The shepherd and his sheep made their way to the stable. Then the angel was in the sky (she held a star in her hands) and guided the Three Kings to the stable, where they gave their gifts to the Baby. The Wisemen rode the donkey because there were no camels in the set. [The Nativity set came from Sri Lanka.]

Needless to say, I was impressed. The other adults were talking and did not hear our re-enactment. (I was told my speaking parts for each character.) Now, I know why she knew the story so well. My heart swells with pride and joy. The teacher in me is really impressed and the G'ma in me is over-joyed.

Prep for the Treatment

In case you are wondering...

I registered at the hospital at 10:00 this morning and was taken to a lab tech who drew 3 small vials of blood. I and my radioactive department nurse waited for the lab results. She called me back to a curtained room with a scanning bed and shared what to expect in the next 24/48 hours.

The radioactive iodine is flown in to this hospital once each day. Today's shipment of 2 large doses would not be arriving due to the weather. She told me to be prepared as there is a 99% chance tomorrow's air shipment will not arrive either, although the weather is to improve dramatically by tomorrow.

The blood test results were at the appropriate levels. (Thank you low-iodine diet & no conscious cheating.) I can have the radioactive iodine if it arrives on Tuesday or on Wednesday. She explained why I was taking four iodine capsules (non-radioactive) today. The iodine will travel throughout my body today. The results of its path and destination will be displayed on the full body scan I will be having Tuesday morning at 9:30. The results of the body scan will be shared with the endocrinologist and he and the someone from the nuclear department will determine the amount of high dose radio-active iodine my body needs when it does arrive.

She then opened a small aluminum canister, took out a plastic pill bottle and poured four blue and orange capsules in my hand. I asked for my bottle of distilled water and swallowed all four of those little guys at once. 11:15 and we were on our way back to the hotel. No traveling today due to winter weather. The morning rain had turned to ice and now snow. We attended Miss W's Preschool Program  after lunch and then back to the hotel until tomorrow's adventure.

So, I may get the radio-active treatment tomorrow and begin the isolation period, or I may have to wait until Wednesday. It is what it is...

Miss W's Christmas Program

One of the bonuses of being in SD this time of year (and there are several), is being able to attend the first Christmas programs of our first grandchild. Hard to believe Miss W is old enough to be in Sunday School and Preschool, but she is. The timing could not have been better: Sunday School Program Sunday afternoon, my appointment at the hospital Monday morning for lab work and whatever else is in the plan, and Preschool Program Monday afternoon.

Being the proud G'ma that I am, I packed the camera prepared to digitally memorialize this 'first' event. I took about 30-40 photos, but in looking at them on the computer, many of them are not in focus. I have noticed my vision has been a bit off lately. Not sure if it is time for a vision check, or if like several other little things, my vision is affected by this thyroid business. The plus? You won't have to look at LOTS of photos of Miss W in a variety of poses that mean nothing to you, because you weren't at the program.

...but I have another opportunity to take more photos on Monday at the next program.

Christmas village in the boxes

cute idea, but individual village 

buildings & people...photo fuzzy

Guess which person is Miss W?

The group of 3 and 4 year olds

They sang 5 or 6 songs

and had as many group spoken parts

Mcbe helping G'pa walk down the hall

The bar on the walker was just the right height

for his little hand

Proud G'pa & G'ma

G'pa Bob made a yummy (so they all said)

cheese fondue for an appetizer

Mommy made 3 kinds of cookies

I get to taste them on Christmas

The cooks

He is so dang cute!

Mcbe got his first haircut before Thanksgiving

but none of my Thankmas photos showed his cute cut

Snuggling with Daddy

It was wonderful to have someone plan, prepare and serve a delicious, balanced low-iodine meal I could eat and enjoy. It was one of the BEST treats possible. I was so pleased, I helped son with the clean up. Thank you favorite DIL!

The FINAL Low-Iodine Food Post

I finished cooking and preparing food on Saturday. We are gone for the weekend. When we return I will be in quarantine. Any cooking happening at our house will be what I have prepped in advance or what Hubby puts together. I have several recipes ready for him, with detailed instructions (sort-of) to get us by until I can return to the kitchen.

Here is what we have been eating:

WEDNESDAY

Pesto Pasta & Chicken

Roasted Brussel Spouts with Balsamic Fig Vinegar

We like Creamy Pesto Pasta & Chicken, but without

the cheese & cream, it left something to be desired.

The one & only thumbs down

Vanilla Crazy Cake

flour, sugar & baking soda

vinegar, vanilla, oil & water

Tasty. Easy. The right size.

 THURSDAY

Apricot Chicken & Onions over Basmati Rice

frozen peas & red pepper sticks

Local white vino (a winner!)

Vanilla Crazy Cake for dessert

The Apricot Chicken was a WINNER!*

4 ingredients

chicken breasts seasoned with Mrs. Dash Chicken

cooked with sliced sweet onion

1/2 c. apricot jelly last 5 minutes

* Barb C: YOU can make this. Simple. Easy. Healthy.

FRIDAY

Met friends for dinner

They ate steak, meatloaf dinner & a burger

I had a bowl of lettuce with tomatoes, shredded carrots

drizzled with my Italian dressing

I really like my Italian dressing! Really!

SATURDAY

Chicken Fajitas

One of us got to enjoy it in a tortilla wrap

the other over Basmati rice

Again, I made my own seasoning from the book.

Excellent & better than any I have bought,

and so much healthier, too!

I also made my own Chili Powder today. 

Until I looked at the ingredient list, 

I did not realize salt was the second item listed.

I used the new & improved chili powder

 as one of the fajita spices.

Have not used it in chili yet,

but I think it will permanently replace

the spice/product I have been buying.

Black Bean Salsa/Salad

I combined the recipe in the book with my own

beloved Cowboy Salsa.

I found approved corn chips at the local health food store.

This is on MY menu for next week. YUM!

On Thursday, the orthopedic surgeon gave Hubby permission to begin weight-bearing at 50%. (six weeks since the break) He can roll the walker instead of using it to hop. Surgeon also said he can cook and clean-up next week. WOO HOO! Black Bean Chili will be on the menu! 

And a health update from me: I truly have been surprised at how well I have felt without a thyroid, a replacement pill, some of my FAV foods, and salt. I am not sure how long the 'I feel pretty good' would last - another week? a few more days? I sleep well at night. I have had the energy I have needed to prepare food and prepare for my moving to the basement. I will admit a WITCH invaded my body on Friday. Tears. Grumpiness. Frustration. Yelling. Unkind. Snippy. The witch was absent today, Saturday, which is a really good thing. She can just stay away, as it was a scary feeling, the loss of control & emotions. I have also learned the low-iodine diet is to continue through Dec. 23rd. That is doable. Thyroid pill to begin Dec. 19th. That is good. I will post a brief update on Dec. 15th and then be off-line for a couple of days. 

12-13-14 It's All About the Numbers

Today, Saturday December 13th, 2014 is the last time we will have a set of consecutive numbered date for about 84 years, or so I read. You are getting a post that has nothing to do about medical or health issues, but one about a favorite pastime we are missing...Geocaching!

At 9, 10, & 11 AM on 12-13-14 a group of area geocachers braved the foggy morning to gather at a local establishment to have breakfast and enjoy some geocaching conversations.

I enjoy organizing and hosting geo events and have hosted three in SD, one in IL and eight in AZ last winter. I had been waiting to see how things might be progressing at our house and once we realized we would still be here in December, 12-13-14 seemed like a great day for an event.

RuthAV & sdaxeman

3buds

manicgecko & half of Canby GTO

NG Comets & Canby GTO

The Group

Thanks everyone for the GeoCaching 'fix'!