2018 only has a few hours left.

I will end this year and begin the next at my favorite place in the whole world, our farm with my family. There is no where else I would rather be.

I am so blessed and so very thankful.

Looking back at 2018 I am amazed at how unpredictable life can be.

This time last year not even in my wildest dreams would I believe that I would be here writing a blog, sharing my life and random thoughts with the world. And never would I have ever expected the major events and changes the next year would bring.

It has been a very challenging year.

A challenging year but definitely not a bad year. My God has been faithful and as always he has made all things work together for good.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

I have been struggling the last few years with some health issues. Well, 2018 brought to light what was going on and lead me to the answers that we had been searching for. With that came solutions that although not ideal, had to be done.

First, I had to have a total hysterectomy in February. I recovered well but the terrible overwhelming fatigue that I had would not go away. I was referred to an endocrinologist that after many tests discovered some blood test results that were uncommonly elevated. We decided to wait, retest in a month or so to see if they were still elevated. They were and the endocrinologist ordered an MRI.

While waiting to have my MRI we received very exciting but life changing news. My husband would be taking on a new role at work and we would be moving to Denver, Colorado for a few years. We would keep our farm and split our time between here (as much as possible) and Colorado. Two days before we headed west I received my MRI results. It showed the reason my blood test results were elevated. I have a benign tumor on my pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain).

We moved across the country and I found a wonderful doctor that explained to me that the tumor and elevated blood levels could be treated with medication. What a relief that was! We are still working on finding the right dose, monitoring my blood levels and I have a follow up MRI soon.

I got established with a new primary care physician in Denver also and during my first visit we were reviewing my history and I mentioned that I have had a few small nodules on my thyroid (a butterfly shaped glad in the front of the throat). My past doctor had me have a biopsy but it came back fine. My new Pcp asked me to have a thyroid ultrasound just to monitor them and it was scheduled the next week. When the results came back the nodules had grown. Specifically one and it was very vascular which the doctor found very concerning.

I was referred to a thyroid surgeon and sure enough, bye bye butterfly, I had a total thyroidectomy November 1st. Praise God the pathology report showed no cancer!

I am healing well and am also working with the doctors to find the right dosage of Synthriod, a thyroid hormone replacement medication that I will have to take the rest of my life.

I am so happy and thankful to say that now that all of that is over, I feel better than I have in years! My energy is back an I can’t wait to see what 2019 will be!

2018 was full of hills and valleys. Highs and lows. New adventures and many changes. If it wasn’t for my amazing God, my wonderful loving husband and my family I don’t know how I would have made it through this crazy year but I did and I am grateful.

If my 2018 had a theme song it would be “Hills and Valleys” by Tauren Wells. I have added the lyrics below. If you haven’t heard it I highly recommend it.

How was your 2018? If it had a theme song, what would it be?

As we head into the new year I look forward to being able (and feeling well enough to) work more on my blog. Until then- Happy New Year! May God Bless you with health and happiness in the coming year.

Hills and Valleys- Tauren Wells 

I walked among the shadows
You wiped my tears away
And I felt the pain of heartbreak
And I’ve seen the brighter days
And I’ve had rest heaven from my tallest place
And I have held the blessings
God you give and take away
No matter what I have, your grace is enough
No matter where I am, i’m standing in your love
On the mountains, I will bow my life
to the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
and I am not alone!
I’ve watched my dreams get broken
In you I hope again!
No matter what I know
I’m safe beside your hill!
On the mountains, I will bow my life
to the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
and I am not alone!
Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
And with all you will remain
All for it all!
Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
And with all you will remain
All for it all!
(On the mountains, I will bow my life, yeah)
(In the valley, I will lift my eyes, yeah!)
On the mountains, I will bow my life
to the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
and I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
and I am not alone!
And I will choose to say, blessed be your name
And I am not alone