Seven Double-Unders

Before I share some exciting news I got today (how’s that for a cliff hanger?!), I need to talk about the kickass workout we did this morning with Carey.

5 rounds

• pullups, max in one minute/30 seconds rest
• double-unders, max in one minute/60 seconds rest

My pullups went 17 – 15 – 12 – 14 – 14 with the green band. Not awesome, not bad — and I was able to string together 7 double-unders with 2 regular jumps in between each. VERY exciting.

Core circuit

• 50 hip extensions
• 100 Russian twists
• 25 in-and-out

I felt appropriately tired and euphoric and post-workout-y when it was all said and done.

Then I went to the Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist to continue my medical odyssey. Her name is Dr. Karen Stierman, and she’s AWESOME. Super smart and friendly and optimistic and patient.

Which is good… because I have to have surgery next Wednesday. Who knew?!

** WARNING: I’m about to talk about medical stuff that might give you the heebies. I know it’s been making me say “Ew!” all day. **

I have a nodule on my thyroid gland.

OK… gross. “Nodule” sounds yucky.

Anyway, the right side of my thyroid gland is 5cm wide, and the nodule is 3cm of that so in medical terms, it’s huge.

[Pause while I have the heebies about having a 1-inch wide THING in my throat where it doesn’t belong.]

Most thyroid nodules aren’t cancerous, but the larger they are, the more likely they are to be the Big C. When I’m in surgery next week, Dr. Stierman will take out half of my thyroid, and they’ll run it to the pathology lab to check for cancer. If it is cancerous, she’ll remove my entire thyroid — if it’s not, or if they’re not sure, they’ll close me up and do a more thorough test of the nodule to make absolutely sure of my C/not C status.

Then I have to stay in the hospital for at least one night of recovery.

Some FAQs I’ve gathered throughout the day:

Am I worried/scared/freaked out?
Only a little. Anesthesia makes me feel very small and vulnerable, so I’m not excited about that part of it. Nor am I pleased to be spending next Wednesday night in a hospital bed. Also, the timing sucks because I’m going to miss our company’s Wii boxing tournament, and you know I would have won that shit.

Is there anything you can do for me?
Nothing in particular. I’m fine. A little apprehensive, but fine.

What’s a thyroid gland?
The thyroid, one of the largest endocrine glands in the body, is found in the neck just below the thyroid cartilage (also known as the Adam’s apple in men). It’s butterfly-shaped and controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins, and how sensitive the body should be to other hormones. It’s not supposed to have nodules on it.

Is this what’s been causing my fatigue?
Not sure. After I have all of this nodule nonsense wrapped up, I’ll be visiting an endocrinologist to take a lookie at my whole hormone situation.

Is this the most fun ever?
Oh, definitely.

Am I being sarcastic?
Yes.

So that’s my story. Tuesday will be the last time I can workout for at least 10 days (boo!), so my workouts between now and then are sacred. Tomorrow morning I’m running and enjoying the cool air and the turtles.

If you’re curious about thyroid nodules — ’cause they’re very common — these are some really helpful links:
MedicineNet.com
Mayo Clinic