Should I Continue To Fly?

I promised to provide full disclosure on this blog, so here goes:

For us the past few weeks have been a roller coaster. Kate is about 20 weeks pregnant and is due January 29, 2012. Rome and the new baby will be almost exactly 2 years apart, which is what were we trying to achieve. Well, maybe not birthdays during the same week….

About 5 weeks ago, Kate had some routine blood work at her OB’s office and they referred her to an endocrinologist. After and ultrasound and biopsy, they believed she has papillary thyroid cancer.


As you can imagine, due to the pregnancy, treatment options are limited. At this point, she is restricted to surgical removal of the complete thyroid. Of course there are risks to the baby when the mother has to undergo anesthesia during pregnancy.


We met with the surgeon, and she had given Kate the option to delay the surgery until after she delivers, but who really wants to have cancer in their body any longer than they have to? Thyroid cancer is slow growing, but there is always a chance of spreading throughout the rest of the body.


Making the decision on what we should do next has been a nightmare. After a second opinion with another surgeon and meeting with multiple other specialists Kate decided to have the surgery during her pregnancy.


On August 26th we found out we were having a girl. We are both filled with joy and excitement over the news.


Finally, on August 30th Kate had the procedure. I was a nervous wreck during the surgery, but I’m pleased to say that both Kate and baby girl made it through surgery very well. They did confirm the cancer and removed some of the surrounding lymph nodes as a precaution. Kate was sore and tired but we were looking forward to putting this event behind us. She is even starting to feel our daughter kick some.


Then, after this last flight, I returned home to hear that the pathology report came back and the lymph nodes were positive for cancer as well. The cancer had spread. I felt like I had just been kicked in the gut. There is no additional treatment Kate can have until after the baby is born, yet the prognosis is promising and we are optimistic.


Why am I talking about this on a flying blog? Flying no longer seems important. My family comes first, always! I thought: “Maybe I shouldn’t be spending any time away from my family” or “I shouldn’t spend money on myself” or “I shouldn’t be enjoying myself, I should be doing something to help.” My heart just isn’t in it anymore.


When I told Kate that I wanted to quit and the reason why, she said without hesitation: “Don’t quit until you have your license, or at least don’t quit because of this.” Exact verbiage!


My heart is in pain and my head is consumed with thoughts of cancer. Flying is one activity that requires (at least at my skill level) 100% of my attention and I’m not thinking about cancer. I really struggled with this decision and I have decided to continue, as the distraction is very much welcome.


I should be complete before the baby is born, and then I can concentrate on whatever our lives has in store for us. Looking forward to a long and happy life with my one true partner.

Rome, me, Kate & baby girl on board (7/30/2011)