Striking Back

Okay, so I think the fibroid tumor knows that I plan on getting rid of it. For some reason, it has chosen to put up a fight. This is the first week that I have really noticed it. I have almost fainted a few times, and I have had the worst cramps I have ever experienced (they actually had me out of commission for a few hours.) I went and had more blood drawn to make sure I don’t have to be admitted into the hospital to stabilize my anemia. I think that I will be okay. The Lupron shot is going to be administered next week, as soon as the doctor gets it in. I have scheduled surgery for December 13th at 9:00am.


On a lighter note, Joe took me out for my birthday to a great restaurant on Tuesday. It was great being able to relax and talk, and just be together. We really haven’t had that much time together since the honeymoon. I am the luckiest woman in the world to be married to a man like Joe. I am feeling more and more sorry for him as my moods are crazy and, with the medicine, aren’t likely to get any better! Please, if you can, call him and take him out for a beer in the next few weeks. He is going to need it! We are going to Lowes tonight to get supplies for the remodel. I am really excited. We are going to start demo this week some time. I will post some pictures. Well, gota run. I love you all!
Kat

Surgery Update

I talked to my doctor today about doing the surgery. She said that she believed that we are making the right decision. We talked and decided to have the surgery on December 13th or the 20th depending on her schedule. One major concern that she has is that she got my blood work back, and my hemoglobin is really low (the anemia). She said that it’s a good thing that I have to wait until this semester is over, because we would have to wait the three months anyway before she could get my blood level the way it needs to be for surgery. With that said, I am going to be getting an injection soon that will stop me from having periods until after the surgery. She thinks that this will help get me where I need to be. The injection is called Lupron. Lupron works by decreasing the amount of estrogen that your ovaries produce. As a result of lower estrogen levels, during Lupon Depot therapy you may experience symptoms such as hot-flashes and headaches. Basically, they are putting my body in a menopausal state for three months. Sounds interesting. I hope Joe can put up with me for the next few months.

We are starting our kitchen remodel in two weeks. I am very excited. Thank you to all who made this possible for us! We received many Lowes gift certificates for the wedding and we saved up the wedding money in order to do this. We can’t thank you enough! I am so excited to get rid of that stupid old stove thing that is taking up too much counter space. I am also excited to remove that vinyl floor! I will post some before and after pictures when we start this project. It should be interesting. There is a big show tonight with Riely at Locals Only if you can go. It will be a great time! Well that is the latest from the Hodson household. Keep sending us good thoughts!

Just Married 

Copyright Herring Photography 

Our Weekend

What a weekend we had! As you can see from the picture, we were fortunate enough to attend the Colts home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday with Joe's parents. We won, 10-3. Who would have thought that our defense would pull us through the last couple of days. We had a great time, and all of us had fun yelling at the top of our voices for our colts. We break ground for the new stadium on Tuesday. Colts (2-0-0) vs Browns (1-1-0) next Sunday at Indianapolis!

Thank you for everyone's support with my doctor's visits. It is really nice to be able to come home from the doctor's office and have three messages waiting to see how things went. Here is the update: The OBGYN gave me two options to consider for the fibroid tumor, with pros and cons to both. Option 1 is to do nothing. Fortunately, my tumor is non-cancerous and will not turn into cancer, therefore it is not life threatening. So I have the option to leave it in my uterus. The pros to this is that I won't have to go through any medical procedure. The cons to this is that it is growing fast, and will continue to grow until I go through menopause, which would be around 25 years from now. The problem with that is that the tumor is already the size of a tennis ball, and could start affecting my bladder. The other con to leaving it in is where it is positioned in my uterus. The fibroid is attached to the uterine wall and is causing my uterus to be abnormally large. It is also in a bad spot if I wanted to try to conceive a child. I could get pregnant, but it would be difficult for the embryo to attach to my uterus, thus resulting in a miscarriage.

Option two: my only alternative, considering the fact that Joe and I would like to have children, is a abdominal myomectomy. An abdominal myomectomy is the removal of fibroids (also known as myomas) through an incision in the abdomen. The purpose of myomectomy is to restore the uterus to normal function. Symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pressure usually decrease or are gone once the fibroids are removed. The disadvantages of a myomectomy is fibroids can recur. While fibroids that are removed cannot recur, fibroids that are left behind can grow, and new ones can form. Another disadvantage is the down time after surgery, 4 to 6 weeks! I would be in the hospital for 2-4 days. The advantages is that we would be able to try to have children in 4 to 6 months after surgery, and a lot of my problems with my periods would go away.

So that's that! Our options. To Joe and I, it doesn't really seem like we have an option. We are planning on the myomectomy. I don't have to do that right away, thank goodness. With school, it is almost impossible to consider that right now. We are looking at Christmas time. Needless to say, I am frightened. I am worried about how we are going to cope with me not working for a month. I am worried because I haven't ever had any type of surgery before. But I know that this is the right thing for me. I want it out! I will keep everyone updated as far as when this will happen. Thank you again for all your support, it means the world to me!

Love Always,
Kat

Eye On The Prize

Last night, the Colts began their quest for the ring in high style. Their Defense was able to pull through and almost shut out the Baltimore Ravens! That's what I'm talking about. GO BIG D!

Indianapolis Colts 24 Baltimore Ravens 7

This Week:
Indianapolis Colts (1-0-0) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0-0) in Indianapolis

Pictures

We finally received our wedding pictures back from the photographer. I have the negatives, so anyone who wants some, I will put together a website that you will be able to look at and order them from. Please email me if you want me to include you in this website. It will have to have a password.

Love,
Kat

What's Been Going On?

I'm in the middle of my second week at school, and I already have a ton of homework. I am also starting a new job soon at a new restaurant. I am really looking forward to a permanent schedule. Needless to say, I am under a lot of stress, good stress, but stress none the less. I have a doctor's visit with the specialist on the 14th (next Wednesday). I am looking forward to finding out what we are going to do with this tumor. Now that I know it's there, I want it out!


Our education class is going to be collecting items for the Katrina victims. We are going to be focusing on the children who are going to be placed in the Indianapolis Public Schools, so anyone wanting to buy some new school supplies to donate please let me know. We are also collecting personal items that they might need like shampoo and blankets ect.


On a more positive subject, my brother and sister-in-law have asked me to go to Africa with them when they pick up their son/daughter! I feel so honored and blessed that they would want me there. If I can swing it, I will definitely be on that airplane. It is all going to depend on when they are going, and if we can afford it! This is going to be a great new year for Joe and I, we have many things to be excited about!

Headrick Women

I had my CT scan done on Wednesday, and it sucked. Going through these procedures has really increased my already high admiration for what teb is going through. She is going through much worse, and has an unbelievable attitude about it! Well the CT scan went as planed, only no one told me I would have to have an IV. The stuff I had to drink beforehand was the worse. I almost threw it all up! But it's over, and I do have two fully functioning ovaries! They also confirmed what they are calling a "large significant fibroid tumor." I have a doctors appointment on September 16th with the specialist to discuss what treatments I will have to do. I'll be okay, but the waiting sucks! Thank you for all of your well wishes, it means a lot to Joe and I.