Hello everyone, it has been awhile but wanted to give a quick update. I have been resting and adjusting to life without a thyroid gland, and at this point things are going quite well.  My biggest struggle has been feeling tired, but that seems to be improving. I also felt a bit exhausted and just a bit down after all of this, but things seem to be climbing up now. With God's grace I am learning to rest, in all ways.  

I found out from my endocrinologist that I do not need the radioactive iodine treatment! Yay!!!  I am low risk, and research shows that given my kind of cancer, its containment, the very small amount found in my lymph nodes, that radioactive iodine would not change my chance of reoccurrence or prognosis.  So I will continue to be monitored through bloodwork and ultrasounds, but at this point it looks like my cancer treatment has ended.  

We are so grateful for this news, and we are praising God for his healing IN ALL WAYS. So many cancer journeys are so much harder than this one, I feel as though I have just had a very small taste of what it is like.  Peter Wohler, our pastor (who has stage 4 cancer) told me when I was diagnosed, "don't miss what God has for you in this".  I can honestly say at this point that I am grateful for this cancer, and that there has been deep healing for me through it, beyond just being ok physically.  This is the beautiful redemptive work of God, transforming our struggles into absolute gold. We have a renewed gratitude for our family, our community, our church, our friends, and the gift of this life. THANK YOU for all your prayers, your cards, your messages, your food you brought me, your friendship, it all was such a blessing to us.  Thank you!

If you ever want a more extended version of the story, I am happy to share, you don't have to feel bad for asking, it's a great story to share. :) 

Peace be with you, 

Kristen (and Alex)