2006-01-03 - 12:44 p.m.
The kids flew home on Sunday. Monday, we took down our very stinky Christmas tree - the water had turned foul - and rearranged the furniture in the living and dining rooms. I can actually turn around in there without cracking my elbows, it's great.
Afterwards, I drove up to Raleigh to see some friends who were in town for the holidays. They have an absolutely gorgeous daughter. Really, her photos are glorious, and you're tempted to think, oh, that's a flattering shot. But she really is that beautiful. Unless she's crying - then she's a little scrunched up. Anyway, I wasn't getting anywhere trying to make friends until she gave me her shoe, and I placed it carefully on my head. She came over to find out just what the heck was going on and pretty soon we were having a fine old time.
She's in a for a big shock - she's going to be a big sister next summer. Time to make the baby blanket....there's a woman in my office who's due in April, so I'll be working on one for her, too. I'm still working on a commission afghan, and I have two or three other projects lying about in some stage of growth. So much yarn, so little time!
I woke up this morning with an odd feeling - I have some discomfort in swallowing, and my thyroid gland is swollen on the right side. I have an enlarged thyroid to begin with, but it seems to have grown overnight. I saw a doc downstairs (I work at a health center), who told me I don't have strep, but was unwilling to venture an opinion about my thyroid.
So then I called the clinic on post. I spent about 20 minutes on hold waiting for the appointment line. The next available appointment is January 25, unless I wanted to talk to the advice nurse and see if she thinks they need to see me sooner. Yes, please. About 45 minutes later, I spoke to the advice nurse, who checked with a doctor, who does want to see me. I have an appointment for 4 pm. Sheesh. Thank goodness for the headset.
A friend told me I had an enlarged thyroid back in 1987, and I had a full work-up at that time - it functions normally, it's just enlarged. About nine years ago, I suddenly developed a golf-ball sized lump on my thyroid. I went to the doctor, who sent me to the endocrinologist. About $800 later, they told me I didn't have cancer. Hell, I knew that. Apparently, the thyroid just developed a cyst. Since then, I've had it tested a few times, with no surprises. I haven't had it tested since I've been in Fayetteville, mainly out of laziness, but it's time to have it looked at again. It's actually kind of tender in the newly swollen area.
I'll be sure to let you know what the doctors say. One nice thing about a doctor's waiting area - it's a good place to knit and crochet.
