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

Quite a pay raise!

Today I received a press alert via email from my alma mater, Oklahoma State. Check out the first two paragraphs below: Following only the sixth nine-win regular season in school history, Oklahoma State University today announced a contract extension for head football coach Mike Gundy, giving him a new seven-year contract worth $15.7 million. The contract was announced following action by the OSU/A&M Board of Regents at its regular meeting in Miami. With the new contract, which is effective Jan. 1, 2009 and runs through December of 2015, Gundy’s average annual compensation will be more than $2.2 million. His current six-year contract paid him $1,053,000 this year. What the heck? That's quite a raise, and he didn't even beat OU, Texas, or Tech! Now, I went to OSU when Mike Gundy was the quarterback there. He was the quarterback during Barry Sanders' Heisman year. He seems like a nice guy and a great coach, but wow... In all fairness, I have to point out that I also read
2 comments
Read more

Changing the Focus

I will turn 50 this month. In honor of this milestone -- and just because I want to -- I am changing the focus of my blog. 10 years ago at the age of 40, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer -- papillary carcinoma. I started this blog after my first surgery as a means to communicate. I had lost my voice for about three weeks, and speaking was a challenge. Many well-meaning folks called in the days after my surgery to check on me. While it was fine that Chris and my mom provided updates, I missed being in contact with people. So I started writing. Along the way, I learned that I liked to write and also found other cancer patients and survivors along the way. I needed an outlet, and, unexpectedly, my blog provided some perspective for those newly diagnosed as well as those of us who must endure the various follow-up visits and the anxiety that accompanies them. My last cancer blog post was three years ago. Believe me, the anxiety is still there, but after two recurrences, I&
3 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