Kaley has written another post-surgery update!

Hi Everyone,

I decided to setup a blog since I enjoy sending my updates out this way. I also love to share on instagram, but I realize not everyone is on there. I have heard from so many of you! Thank you for checking in on me and my family. If I haven’t responded to you, I apologize, but I do try to get back to messages when I can. I have really enjoyed hearing from you all.

Your prayers continue to mean the most to me. They keep me uplifted and bring me such encouragement. I continue to receive thoughtful mail, messages, phone calls, and texts daily. I feel incredibly blessed and loved. I’m amazed when I receive mail and messages from perfect strangers, who send me their cancer stories because we have a mutual friend. Those are the best to receive. I’m blown away by the healing testimonies I’ve read, and I won’t be forgetting them anytime soon.

Scroll for the straightforward cancer update at the bottom if that’s what you’re here for. I’ve decided to divide my post into a life update and a cancer update. I’m choosing to focus more on ‘living’ these days!

Life Update

This past week I’ve continued to rest. Michael and I had the kids come home to stay with us from Friday evening through Monday morning. I still haven’t been able to pick-up the baby, but we managed with Michael doing all the lifting. The girls have become so helpful and self-sufficient. It’s amazing to see them taking care of each other and their brother. Ruby, particularly, is quite the little nurturer. She has made beds, cleared tables, picked-up toys, and dressed her sister.

On Saturday, we took the kids to the new park in town at Midland. It was one of my first outings since surgery. I really enjoyed getting out! It was FREEZING, but we made the best out of the windy weather. We even made our picture with the Easter Bunny… just Ruby and I, since the rest of the family was either not interested or “too scared,” lol.

We then went to Diletto Bakery to warm-up and eat lunch. The Owner, James, is a friend, and I hadn’t seen him since before my diagnosis. He noticed my neck right away, and it prompted me to tell him what we’ve been going through. The Lord has been faithful to encourage me through loving, unsuspecting encounters. James took this picture of us and reminded me how blessed I am to have Michael and our three blessings.

It was so nice to get out of the house and do something “normal.” I quickly realized though that people take notice of my neck. I’m never sure what to do or say when they linger. One little boy at the park said, “What happened to your neckkkkkk?” With a yuck face, which got me laughing. I said, “I had surgery to remove my thyroid.” His response was, “Yikes! I hope that never happens to me. That looks like it hurt!” Hence why kids are my absolute favorite because they have no filter. You don’t have to guess what they’re thinking.

Michael says I should tell onlookers I got into a knife fight and say, “You should see the other guy…” That’s definitely a Michael joke if I’ve ever heard one. I won’t be taking that advice.

On Sunday, we made it to church. It was nice to see people and to be out of the house again. Our church has, what Michael likes to refer to as, “wings” which are alcoves on the sides of the sanctuary with two rows of seating each. Since we keep our kids in service with us, Michael feels that these seats are optimal because of separation for noise and a quick exit to the restrooms. We put the girls in the row behind us with some coloring books. Hilariously enough, when they started chatting, I quickly realized I couldn’t turn around to ask them to be quiet without a full-body effort. It was a long service in that regard, but memorable and comical for me. Neck surgery problems…

Sola City Church sent our kids home with Easter goodies, which gave us a whole afternoon of fun. The girls made these adorable stained glass window crafts and we learned together about Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the Resurrection.

Cancer Update

I’m going to start with some wins:

I can sleep on my side again
Yesterday I drove my car for the first time in weeks
I can eat solid food again and my appetite has improved
I have a calcium regimen that seems to be working for now (Praise God)
No more stitches!
I just got cleared to begin physiotherapy exercises to help with scar tissue and range of motion stretching
I’ve gotten used to taking my Tirosint each morning and waiting an hour to eat/drink
I can shower on my own, lol
I found Chris Beat Cancer and have been watching all his modules

I have to remind myself of the ‘praise report’ often so that I can continue to see the post-surgery improvements and progress. In addition to the praise report, I keep a gratitude list.

My Gratitude List:

My amazing Husband’s love, caretaking, and support
Honey and Seve keeping our kids to allow us more rest
Incredible nannies, Sarah Kate and Mady, helping my parents with our kids
Brent Williams taking Cami to therapy this week
Sola City Church bringing us meals via a meal train
Friends and family checking-in on me and visitors who stop-by the house
Dani Burns setting-up a cleaning crew to come on a schedule
GoFundMe donations helping us cover our incoming bills
My brother, Chris Severn, surprised me with emails from Turquoise Health employees, which were so fun to read
Alyssa Stalker donating her class proceeds
Gift cards, Amazon items, notes of encouragement, and gifts arriving in the mail
People who continue to reach out with real estate needs and brand work
Connections made to other cancer fighters/survivors committing to prayer and sharing their knowledge with me

When you are going through a season of suffering, it can be tricky to keep your joy or have a grateful heart if you aren’t focused on truth. Truth is, people ask me all the time “How are you doing?” I now respond with, “I’ve been better.” It’s honest, and it’s what I’ve come up with. I tend to smile. Sometimes it causes people to stop and consider the familiar formality they’re extending without much awareness. I have been that person many times before, with the good intentions, unsure of what to say, or how to approach someone going through something hard. I want you to know that I welcome it all, and I thank you for continuing to approach me in any way shape or form.

I’m no stranger to a season of suffering, but this is a new one for me. Another thing I do to cope is remind myself that it could be worse; it could always be worse. I could be in Kyiv, Ukraine, or I could be the parent to a child with cancer instead of having it myself. I can think of a lot of ‘worse.’ I have my dark moments, no doubt, where I spiral and fight using prayer to come out of it. Most of the time those moments happen as I’m drifting-off to sleep, and I lose control to anxiety or insomnia. Please pray for my nighttime rest.

What’s Next

Next Monday I have an ultrasound for my left leg. My leg x-rays came back normal, which is great. I think the issue is a nerve issue, but I appreciate how thorough they are to check. If you’ve been following my instastories, I’ve shared recently about the random leg pain I’ve been experiencing.
Next week I begin physiotherapy for my neck at Atlanta Rehabilitation – Gainesville. This will help with range of motion, stretching, and scar tissue. Another way to get moving!
Right now, we are waiting for my body to regulate post-surgery without a thyroid. I’m taking my medication daily so that we can draw blood/levels on Thursday, May 12th.
On May 19th, I meet with my endocrinologist (who is basically an oncologist for thyroid cancer patients). She is at the top of my treatment care pyramid. From there, we will assess when to take me off Tirosint to begin the LID (low iodine diet) in preparation for radiation.
Basically, for about four (4) weeks during June I will be off Tirosint and eating the LID diet for two (2) of those weeks. I’m not anticipating feeling well during these weeks because it will basically send me into hypothyroidism. This is necessary for the radiation ionizing pills to have their greatest effect when I begin radiation.
Sometime in May, around the 20th, I will do more ultrasounds on my neck and a PET scan. This imaging, in combination with my bloodwork results, will give us an indication of the cancer left in my body after surgery.
Once we have all the pieces to the puzzle, we will set a date to begin radiation. Exact dosage amount and length of radiation is TBD. From the start, they have estimated that I will need six (6) weeks of radiation. Anything less than six (6) weeks would be a pleasant surprise and a blessing.
In the meantime, Michael and I are beginning to prep for radiation. There is a lot to consider. I will probably write a blog post dedicated to radiation soon once I know more about our timeline. In short, I will not be able to see anyone during that time and will be required to isolate since I will be radioactive.

Prayer Requests

Continued prayer for the pain in my leg, which comes and goes, but is extremely uncomfortable and can be worrisome at times.
I’m starting to try to walk this weekend. Michael, Moses, and I will hopefully get out even with the rain that’s coming. I feel like I never leave my house and have only rested while recovering, so I’m looking forward to moving my body.
Please pray that during this downtime of recovering from surgery, which is necessary, that the cancer doesn’t spread or grow before continuing on with the treatment plan.
Please pray for the sensitivity of my teeth… perhaps another medication side effect. Hot/cold drives me crazy.
Pray with us for miraculous healing and spontaneous remission that exceeds understanding. We are praying BOLD that my scans in May will come back with no detectable cancer in my body!
Please pray as I consult with a few different holistic/homeopathic professionals next week. Some of which are cancer survivors themselves. I hope to find a good fit for a nutritionist/dietian to come alongside me during this time. I firmly believe in making a complete lifestyle change to ensure no recurrence of cancer or the development of a second cancer. I intend to pursue rest, nutrition, less stress, and anything in my control to get better.

Any of the above care plan is subject to change at any time, but I’ve shared what I know for now. I’m constantly researching and educating myself so that I can be informed while making decisions that affect my health.

A few blog posts I hope to make soon:

How I Found Out About My Thyroid Cancer (papillary thyroid carcinoma)
My Alternative Medicine Plan – JUICING at home with Michael and pursuing a plant-based diet post treatment (We just bought a juicer, PEOPLE!!) Following Chris Wark – Chris Beat Cancer Guide Book
Radiation – Radiation Ionizing Pills at the Nuclear Medicine Department and How to Prep for Radiation

If you made it through this entire post, you deserve a high-five. I never thought I’d write this much. Clearly, I don’t get out much… and need someone to talk to, lol.

Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!

Sincerely,