50/50

Where to start.....  I am thinking a time line is best

1/30 My first OB appointment. Baby measures fine and sounds healthy, but my doctor finds a lump on my thyroid.

2/2 Ultrasound done on thyroid.

2/6 Nurse calls and reads me results of ultrasound; 4 nodules (lumps/bumps) found on the right side of my thyroid.  One of the nodules measures abnormally large and I will need to have a biopsy. Turned out two of the nodules would be biopsied because of their size, the other two are very small. I feel worried, not too worried, nodules are fairly common, but still.

2/8 Ouch! Biopsy done; 3 samples from each of the two nodules are taken. Because I am pregnant I don't get the luxury of the nice anesthetic. Ouch! Almost 2 hours later and I can tell you a needle in your neck doesn't feel that great. I am told someone will call me with my results by Friday or Monday morning at latest.

2/10 No phone call

2/13 Noon still no phone call so I call the nurse to get my results. She tells me the doctor will be calling later that afternoon with my results and some information. WORRIED.

6 PM dinner with friends, my OB calls and lays it on me. The phone call is sort of a blur. Results were not what she expected.... possibly cancer... abnormal cells.... size of largest nodule is very concerning....  she's working on finding a specialist to see me, because I am pregnant it is difficult... found someone...

2/14 Specialist calls, earliest appointment is 2/29 and that is squeezing me in.

Fast forward through 15 days of worry....

2/29 I saw the thyroid specialist. He went over in detail my biopsy results and my options. There were 4 different types of cells found in the biopsy, not normal results. The size of one of the nodules is very concerning, it is covering a large part of the right side of my thyroid. The chances of me having cancer are about 50/50 the Dr said. 50/50 the glass is half full, right?!

In order to find out if I have thyroid cancer the right side of my thyroid needs to be removed completely. If I was not pregnant it would not be a problem, they would do it in the next few weeks. Because I am pregnant it is a little more complicated. See if they remove the right side and find out it is cancer then I need to have my whole thyroid removed and radiation, not completely possible since I am growing a new life inside of me. If they remove it and it is not cancer well then the nodules and bad cells are gone and we can just move forward (let's hope this is the case). The surgery to remove half of my thyroid is not typically dangerous, it is a night or two stay in the hospital, but with an increase in blood flow because of the baby the risk is higher of bleeding complications, if something were to happen during surgery, not likely but possible, the chance of me losing the baby are very high. Not a chance I want to take and not a chance the surgeon wants to take either. My OB will take monthly blood samples to run tests on my thyroid, if something changes drastically we will reevaluate otherwise,  I will likely have the surgery to remove the right side of my thyroid within a month or two of giving birth, when if something (cancer) is found it can be addressed. So now we wait, wait for our sweet baby to be born in August.

My faith has grown as I've looked to my Savior for peace. I think I grew my first grey hair too.  I am strengthened by my family and friends love and prayers through these last couple of weeks. My heart swells to know you all care for me, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I hope I can and do show my love for all of you as you have for me.

Kallie

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! We know we are a little early, but we couldn't wait to share the news....

the love in our family will grow again this year!

Baby Conrad #3 (#4 counting Kaine) is due to make their arrival August 20th 2012. If that date sounds familiar it's because it is Kaine and Lilia's birthday. We will have lots of celebrating to do this summer! We send our love and hope you all know we think of you often.

A very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

I think it would be fair to say the Conrad family had a very merry Christmas. December was full of fun and meaningful Christmas and family events. We feel so loved and are thankful for the many blessings 2011 brought, we are looking forward to 2012! Happy New Year!

The kids...

The kids.... all three are still here, no one's been lost or sent to the zoo to live. Lilia and Kaine are thrilled that the holidays are upon us and Eli well he doesn't know any better he's just along for the ride. With that said we thought we could give you an update on kids likings, I know a few of you have asked for gift ideas so hopefully this will help

Kaine

LOVES music. He is learning to play the viola (2 months) and piano (1 year). His skill level is still beginner, so any sheet music needs to be primer or simplified. He said he also might enjoy a classical cd.

enjoys reading. a few authors he likes are GP Taylor, Wendy Mass, and Shel Silverstein.

still hoards loves Legos. He is working on collecting the Lego City sets.

DS games he doesn't have, but wouldn't mind having: Lego Batman and Super Mario Brothers

favorite characters: Ironman and Hulk

favorite animal at the zoo: bobcat or jaguar

favorite subject: science and music

favorite color: black

favorite food: pizza

favorite treat: Cookies and Cream Hersey's bar

measurements: shoe 5.5, shirt 14youth, pant 12youth

Lilia

LOVES using her imagination. Doctor or school are her top choices. She says when she grows up she wants to be a doctor, we are so proud to see her really take interest in the science of being a doctor as we read books and look at images on the computer. Baby dolls are her favorite, she likes how the Cabbage Patch dolls smell, she says they smell pretty.  

enjoys creating. coloring and simple crafts are the usual,  play dough is always a hit and the girl must have her finger nails painted.

favorite books: anything Dr. Seuss, Curious George, and Clifford

favorite characters: Fancy Nancy, Curious George, Yo Gaba Gaba, Charlie Brown and Co., Tinkerbell and fairies in general

favorite animal at the zoo: giraffe

favorite color: pink and yellow

favorite food: Broccoli and spaghetti

favorite treat: York peppermint patty

measurements: shoe 10-11, shirt 4t/5t,  pant 4t

Eli

LOVES animals and machines. He is enthralled every time he sees a big truck or airplane go by or hears the lawn mower or leaf blower start up, he's Dad's new best friend. He has yet to go to the zoo, but so far animals in books are good enough.  

enjoys making noise. I wouldn't quiet call it music, but like Kaine Eli enjoys  pounding playing the piano or pots and pans :)

favorite books: anything touch and feel, board books

favorite characters: Curious George and Charlie Brown and Co. would be my guess, but we'll have to wait to see what he has to say about it.

favorite color: green?

favorite food: meat and potatoes

favorite treat: pumpkin pie

measurements: shoe 6, shirt 24months/2t, pant 24months/2t

We are looking forward to seeing everyone over the next month or two, until then we send our love.

Family Pictures

Yep this is us, incase you forgot what we all looked like. We'd like to thank Grandma Tami for taking the time to capture us together as a family, as we know that is no easy feat. We are so thankful to be a family blessed with health and happiness!