Reaching out.

[theotherbaldwin]

So, Michelle has been having what was termed by one docotr as a "manic-depressive body, without the psychological mania or depression". Basically, her blood sugar and thyroid activities seemed to be yo-yo-ing for years. She's been robbed of energy, hands and feet swollen, constantly sick a lot and we didn't know why.

A few weeks ago, she had an MRI done on the neck area-- it felt like her lymph node had ben swollen for weeks.

Turns out it wasn't her lymph node (a real concern since she had recovered from Non-Hodgkins' Lymphoma a few years ago)-- it was her thyroid, and she had several tumors on it.

She went in for further testing yesterday, and the specialist told her that either they miscalculated the intial sixe of the tumors, or it nearly tripled in size since the last test. If it's not removed, it'll eventually cut off her airway and she'll die.

She's been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease. At least we have a name, we have a cause, a course of action, an explanation.

So she's going to have surgery to remove the growths and most likely her thyroid as well within the next 3 months. It's going to do deep anstethic, for 3 to four hours. This is serious surgery, and there is a real risk of complication.

Her father died in surgery.

I am doing my best to be her rock, her calm supportive center, to care for her and love her as much as I'm able to.

I'm reaching out to my friends. I'm scared. I'm scared that I might lose her, and I love her. I don't want her to die.

I wish... I grew up Protestant, though I lost my faith in a higher power years ago. I don't want to be the person that "kinda" believes in god or "sorta" has faith. I can't, within myself, find it to believe.

But I do believe in something greater than myself: my friends. OUr friends.

PLease... if any of you could find it in your hearts to keep Michelle in your thoughts, or say a prayer for her... please do.

Comments

[pretzelcoatl.livejournal.com]

You know I'll have the both of you in my thoughts. Best of luck. *hug*

"I said gift fruit BASKET, not fruit BAT!"

[theotherbaldwin.livejournal.com]

Thanks, li'l bro.

Re: "I said gift fruit BASKET, not fruit BAT!"

[pretzelcoatl.livejournal.com]

Hehehe. Fruit bat.

That reminds me, speaking of muses. Remember that one story I began about the muses? Since then I've been working on with another one with a close college friend of mine, and with his visual mindset and my word skillz, we've been doing a good job so far. Anyway, I showed him the muse fic (which is still archived in my LJ memories) and the character I based off you was probably his favorite. (Although he liked Toroth a lot, too. ;P)

Re: "I said gift fruit BASKET, not fruit BAT!"

[theotherbaldwin.livejournal.com]

*blush* Awww. For what it's worth, I really, really enjoyed the whole story you wrote.

I'd stil like to see the new one you're writing with your college buddy.

Re: "I said gift fruit BASKET, not fruit BAT!"

[toroth.livejournal.com]

well of course! i lovable, and personable, an' humble!