What the heck is going on...

I've been asked this question a lot lately, and I am now happy to answer. A few months ago I was not happy to answer this question. I was scared, anxious, and honestly totally freaked out. Here's why...

In early February I went to see the doctor, an endocrinologist for a (now separate) issue. At this appointment the doctor gave me a full exam and found a 'thickness' on my thyroid. An ultra sound was scheduled and I didn't think much about it.

Two weeks later, the ultrasound confirmed that I had a nodule on my thyroid. I was told that these are very common, especially in Hawaii, and 95% chance it is benign. Two weeks after that I had a Fine Needle Biopsy and that came back inconclusive. This is when I started to worry. They couldn't tell me if the nodule was malignant or benign. They recommended surgery to remove the nodule and the right side of my thyroid. This is another form of biopsy and then they could tell me for sure.

I had this surgery on April 4th. Again, the lab could not tell if the (now) tumor was malignant. They would send the tissue to the mainland and THIS time should be able to tell me. This really was the hardest part, the waiting. To not know and the worry that comes with it is dreadful. Finally, the mainland pathology lab report came back and confirmed my worst fear, the tumor was malignant.

To move forward with treatment, I needed a 2nd surgery to remove the remaining part of my thyroid. I had this surgery on April 18th. Recovery from both surgeries was tough but I got through it. The treatment for this type of cancer is Radiation Iodine Therapy. I went in to the hospital on May 27th and stayed for three days. (Not fun) I went to stay at my mother's home after because you need to have a separate bedroom and bathroom while the radiation leaves your body. Plus Gregg and I have a young daughter and I didn't want to expose her. I am home now.

I went in for a whole body scan on June 1st and just yesterday I learned that there was no additional cancer in my body, meaning there was no spread. This is the best news I have ever heard. I need no additional treatment. I will now be monitored for recurrence with blood work and ultrasound. I pray everyday for great health for myself, my family, and all my friends.

This has been the scariest thing I've ever gone through. I will never be the same. Ironically, many positive things have come from this. I appreciate life so much more, I appreciate my family so much more, I appreciate my body so much more (and no longer put crap in it). I hope that anyone reading this can appreciate those things in your life too. Cancer has been a huge wake up call for me, one I would wish on no one. I am incredibly grateful for my outcome, as I know many others are not so lucky. My gratitude will be lifelong.

I've really learned to listen to my gut. Something was telling me to go to the doctor (for my original issue) for a few months. I finally went in and now I know what my gut was trying to say. If you feel that whisper of something, saying 'go get that checked' DO IT! Don't wait. Our instincts are very powerful.

Lastly, It is true that thyroid nodules are common in Hawaii. Thyroid cancer is the fastest growing (in numbers) cancer in America. It is also true that most nodules are benign. Ask your doctor for a full thyroid exam at your next check-up. We are pro-active in so many areas regarding our health, this should be one too.

Love to all!

Allow Me to Respond...

Yeah, this is in response to the post "First time for everything": I never had fun arguing with Shawnee! She doesn't play fair and she pulls a gun on me while I'm asleep. It's brutal!!! Not to mention that she carries a knife... Okay, I'm lying, she hasn't carried a knife since O.J. so that wasn't fair. But it is a lot of fun around our house because she's living with a family of wise-asses!

GH

Hawaii Wedding Industry

Gregg and I both work in the Hawaii wedding industry. I was doing wedding planning for 5 years, before transferring to another company, then leaving, and now I am mainly working to book Gregg for events. He's truly a wonderful wedding emcee and I love working with him. I no longer plan or coordinate weddings. After a less than great stint at another wedding company I couldn't find the passion to continue planning. I LOVE working with people, so being Gregg's booking agent is perfect. I get to meet great couples and still get to be a part of their special day. Whether it's by assisting Gregg at the event or just helping them with their reception program I get the satisfaction of providing outstanding costumer service and making a small difference in their event. 

I think all Hawaii wedding vendors have seen a difference with this economy and have to work hard to stay on top. I believe that it will be the companies that are willing to be flexible and to work within a clients budget will be the ones to survive. We have offered continued promotions and specials and have gotten a great response. For us, this will ensure Gregg's stays on top as Hawaii's most sought after emcee. 

Shawnee 

Leave it to the Pros!!!

I had a chance to meet with my May 30th clients Mark and Hazel along with their wedding planner Kim Suenaga (Prima Donna Productions, LLC) over some pupus at Dave & Buster's on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun, we shared some laughs and it reminded me how much I love this business! It was good to share an afternoon getting to know them, now I'm looking forward to their reception on the 30th!

GH

Heeerrrre's Shawnee

Here's the whole story... 

I am South American, born in Bogota, Colombia. (year not listed on purpose) I was very lucky to have been adopted when I was 4 months old. I grew up in Oregon with amazing parents. I lived on a cattle farm and grew up having to work hard, but thankfully my parents knew how to have a good time and we played hard too. 

My senior year of high school was a tragic one. I lost the three most important men in my life in a matter of months. My step-dad and grandfather passed away in a car crash and three months later my father died of a heart attack. As hard as this was on me, it was devastating  my mother. After grieving for a long while she decided that she needed big change and that she was moving to Hawaii. I was in shock and didn't think this was the best idea. 

However I didn't have anywhere else to go, so we were off to Hawaii. 

Once we arrived it didn't take long for me to realize that moving to Hawaii is the best thing that ever happened to me. That was over 11 years ago and I still love it here. I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful little girl and two awesome stepsons. I wake up everyday super grateful and hope the next 11 years are just as great! 

Shawnee 

First time for everything...

My first blog entry, this is very exciting. I have been thinking about doing a Blog for a while and finally decided to ask Gregg if he would be willing to create it with me. Thankfully he thought it was a great idea and here we are. Gregg and I really enjoyed arguing in a public forum and since we missed it so much I thought this would be the perfect outlet. JK :) Actually I am sure the fighting/therapy will ensue soon enough. 

I hope everyone will find this Blog funny, interesting, and a look into our lives that is nowhere else. 

We have lots to talk about and I look forward the many entries that lay ahead. Thank you to all who have been so supportive of us and I look forward to hearing from many of you. 

Shawnee