Health Update on Susan
Susan has struggled with her health for many years, but she has been determined not to let that stop her from serving our Savior. After several very busy weeks of meetings in North Carolina (in the spring of 2012), Susan’s blood pressure and pulse rate went through the roof! One of her doctors instructed us to take her to the Hospital – where she was admitted for testing.
Susan’s heart checked out fine, but the wall of her heart had thickened (indicating that she has been struggling with high blood pressure for quite some time). Medication was helpful in reducing her blood pressure, but the doctors in North Carolina and in Tennessee were unable to pinpoint the problem. After nearly a year of doctor visits and tests, we were finally able to get her in at the Mayo Clinic, in Jacksonville, FL in March of 2013.
The doctors at the Mayo Clinic were able to determine that Susan has a severe case of Fibromyalgia (which is characterized by widespread pain and painful response to pressure). The Fibromyalgia is responsible for much of the pain, tingling, and numbness Susan is experiencing in many of her extremities. We don’t believe that is ALL that’s going on, but apparently it’s a big part of it.
The doctors also noticed several tumors/nodules on Susan’s thyroid, and wanted to get some biopsies. One of the biopsies came back “suspicious,” so a second biopsy was scheduled for the fall. After a second “suspicious” biopsy in November, a partial thyroidectomy was recommended by the specialist. Because Susan also has “Hashimoto’s” disease (an auto-immune condition where the body attacks the thyroid,) she decided to have her entire thyroid removed – especially since it hasn’t worked since 1995.
The tumors (which tested “suspicious” during the biopsies) came back benign, but the thyroid itself tested positive for Stage 1 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma (or thyroid cancer). The doctor said that the cancer was in both lobes of her thyroid, and that the first treatment for thyroid cancer is total thyroid removal (which we just had done). The doctor also told us that the cancer had been there for a while, but felt confident that we caught it in time (before it spread to other parts of her body).
They want us to wait at least 6 weeks before we come back to the Mayo Clinic for more testing (this will allow Susan time to heal from her surgery). Our next appointment is on February 3rd – they will take an Ultrasound of the thyroid area, as well as check for active thyroid tissue. If there is no active tissue, we can be assured that the surgeon removed all of the thyroid. If there is thyroid tissue, then we will take the next step (which is Radioactive Iodine Therapy).
Please pray specifically that all of the thyroid was successfully removed, so that we don’t have to go forward with the Radioactive Iodine therapy. This treatment could negatively affect Susan’s vocal cords, so we would appreciate your fervent prayers concerning this visit.
“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, FEAR NOT; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13
This verse has been especially encouraging during this time. We have had such a peace – and we know that it is the Lord carrying us and refreshing our minds with His sweet Word. He is so Faithful! His Grace is full to overflowing! The Lord already knows what February holds, so all is well.
Reaching Families for Him,
Tim, Susan, and Rachel Vermaas
