Skip to main content

Out of sight, out of mind and a new endo

I believe that I have thought about cancer every single day since I was diagnosed since July 2008. Cancer survivors, is that strange? Does it stop at some point? Right now, I can't imagine a day without at least thinking about cancer or or thinking about being a cancer survivor.

Some of that may have to do with the "out of sight, out of mind" theory. Every morning I wake up and look at that scar on my neck. It's a celebration of life and a cancer reminder all rolled into one. In some regards, it will never be out of sight so I wonder if it will be "out of mind" ever.

I've mentioned the shooting pains in my neck before and how the surgeon says this is a good thing. The nerves are coming back to life. Yesterday, I had shooting pain like no other I can remember, even dating back to next summer. It felt like a stab and then twist and then hold it for what felt like an hour but turned out to be about 10 seconds. It brought me to near tears as Kenzie and I were on our way to Target. Luckily she was driving when this happened. It's a good thing, it's a good thing.

My energy level has bottomed out this weekend. At least I am optimistic it is on the way up. I'm hoping not to do much of anything and rest today.

Ah, and the great news: I have an appointment with a new endocrinologist! I called the one my surgeon recommended, and his office said that I could see him in July. July?! Nope, that won't work. I called my surgeon's office and asked if maybe they could call and get me an appointment, and I was able to get in on February 10th. I'm very pleased about this and will try not to cancel my appointment with "the doctor I don't like" with too much glee. :)

Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    A few things:

    So glad you are getting a new endo! You need one.

    While it is COMPLETELY different: I think about dealing with infertility all the time, it is just part of my life now. Somehow, when I try to push it out of my mind, it becomes all I can think about and then I get into a funk. So I decided to try and focus my energy fighting it, instead of trying to forget it everytime it pops in my mind. Can't say I always succeed, but it works part of the time. (Does this make any sense?)

    I nearly passed out one day pulling up a pair of hose b/c I had one of those nerve growing back cramps (post old-fashioned gall bladder surgery). They are awful! I can't imagine how much more your must be struggling as yours happen in your throat.

    Still praying for you! Is your family safe from the fires in OK?

    Jennifer (from church)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 at 11:29 AM

    Just catching up on you today...missing you terribly at the old job, but could not be more thrilled for your new start. Glad you are up on your feet and recovering nicely. Hope to see you soon!

    Natalie

    ReplyDelete
  3. The Liz ArmyFebruary 23, 2009 at 2:52 AM

    This blog entry reminds me of something I wrote about my cancer in October 2008.

    Perhaps you are interested: http://thelizarmy.blogspot.com/2008/10/oh-yeah-i-have-brain-cancer_27.html

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

More about batting a thousand...

Ah, I didn't really explain the "batting a thousand" reference in relationship to me when posting on the blog last night. Was still in a bit of a fog from the news I received from the ultrasound. A bit of history... Batting a thousand: 1. June 2008: ultrasound reveals suspicious nodules that should be biopsied. 2. July 2008: after biopsy confirms papillary carcinoma, neck ultrasound to look at lymph nodes finds suspicious lymph nodes. Post-surgery found out about the four positive lymph nodes, two of which were the size of small plums. 3. December 2008: Ultrasound post total thyroidectomy and neck dissection, small nodules found in the thyroid bed along with a suspicious lymph node. So in summary, every ultrasound I have had of my thyroid and neck this year has revealed something suspicious. Thus, I am batting 1,000 with the ultrasounds in 2008. Feeling rather bleh and crappy about it all today. It's Christmas...why do I have to deal with cancer again? Ugh.
11 comments
Read more

On my soapbox about "the best cancer to have"

Those of you who follow me on Twitter know I was on my soapbox this morning after reading yet another article about the dreaded subject of how thyroid cancer is "the best cancer to have." Think about that...the best cancer? Why would someone say that? In an attempt to make you feel better about having thyroid cancer, some health care profesionals try to convince those of us who have or have had thyroid cancer that it is "the best cancer to have" because it has a high survival rate. An aside here, that high survival rate applies to papillary carcinoma, one of the three types of thyroid cancer out there. Survival rates are lower for medullary carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma, the other two types of thyroid cancer. Back on topic...OK, so tell us that papillary carcinoma has a high survival rate. Truly, that is good news. But because of this "best cancer to have" statement, and the fact that I was told my thyroidectomy would most likely be just an easy, ove...
13 comments
Read more

After a year, I'm still waiting....and waiting

Here I am back again at my blog talking about thyroid cancer again. I had my yearly appointment last week with Dr. Wartofsky. It was an interesting one. He had two students in the exam room with us. I didn't mind. He's one of the best thyroid cancer doctors in the world (I'm not kidding) so please, spread your knowledge to any who will listen. He could have easily said, gesturing to me, "This is exhibit A, a papillary carcinoma patient who has had multiple recurrences." I actually think he did that before I came in the room. I started the appointment with honesty: "Hey, I am really nervous because I have not gone a year between appointments since my recurrence." He understood. The students nodded. I showed the students my scars along with their accompanying stories. I have two scars: one large one about five inches long centered on my neck, lower half, and the other about three inches long on the upper right side of my neck. The longer one ...
2 comments
Read more