I have not been on here in a long time after joining in June. I was scheduled for surgery July 28 and it was cancelled 2 days prior due to abnormal labwork. After a four week work up by a hem/onc it was determined I have "lupus anticoagulant" which does not mean I have lupus but does mean I have an antibody in my blood which makes me clot faster than I should.

SOOO, I had surgery 9/1 and was started on an injectable anticoagulant that same day. The thyroid cancer was very small and removal of the thyroid gland was the only treatment needed. The floor of the mouth lesion turned out to be high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma about the size of a marble. The surgeon removed all he could see. Unfortunately my 23 hour observation stay turned into a week long stay as my parathyroid glands went on strike causing my calcium levels to drop to critical values and sending me into severe hand spasms. Then the level went the total opposite direction.

Anyway, my surgeon has me scheduled to see Dr. Ruis Fernandes at the Shands Tumor Board Jacksonville this coming Tuesday. I feel like, being a nurse, I should know all the questions to ask already, but common sense tells me to ask those of you who have been down this road ahead of me! Plus I am still not thinking clearly from lack of sleep/drugs/whatever!

Thanks!