Skip to main content

Third time is a charm? Third time stinks.

So....unfortunately it seems my gut (and the thyroglobulin blood test) was right. Ultrasound showed two "metastatic" lymph nodes. Same right side of the neck where I had four cancerous lymph nodes in 2008. Radiologist said we could biopsy them but he showed me...."here is what a normal lymph node looks like. But here is what this one...and this one look like. Not normal....with metastatic characteristics."

Third time is a charm? Third time stinks. First diagnosed in 2008, recurrence in 2009, and now a recurrence in 2012. About 30% of thyroid cancer survivor struggle with recurrence, and I am in that 30%.

What's next? A procedural biopsy next week. Surgery next month.

Those are the facts. I'm still sorting through the emotions of it all so more on that later. Thanks for your prayers and positive thoughts.

Comments

  1. Charlcie, I am so sad to hear this! It seemed like you had a streak going for a little while...I was thinking no news would be good news.

    My surgeon was hesitant to do the third surgery so quickly on the tail of the other two. My surgeries were '06 and '09, three tumors growing immediately after second surgery. We have left them for three years and they haven't grown...I just get a sonogram every six months and increased my Levoxyl to suppress TSH. It's buying me time, anyway.

    May you have peace through this all, support from loved ones and wise doctors. Praying!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh goodness, you certainly deserve a break! I hate this for you :(

    ReplyDelete
  3. MommaMindy and Kaymee, thanks for your support!

    MommaMindy, I have two lymph nodes the radiologist has been watching since my second surgery similar to you. On this ultrasound, one had changed drastically plus there was a lymph node that had not been worrisome at all that had completed changed/has the metastatic characteristics.

    I'm sorting through it all, working hard to keep my head on straight and be strong! Thanks for your comments and support!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Be strong. You will win, even if just by trying. You are in my thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  5. My thoughts are always with you Charlcie. Stay strong. You're an inspiration to those around you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Charlcie, all of us here at PN in Phoenix send positive thoughts your way. You are a fighter, so go for it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Charlcie,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish there was more I could do.

    Kim

    ReplyDelete
  8. Charlcie, I read this on Facebook. I am so sorry about the recent findings. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If Morgan needs rides to school or soccer or home, please let me know. I am happy to help out. You seem like such a strong and vibrant woman. I know these attributes will help you deal with the recent diagnosis and continue your path to recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ACK. I am just catching up on this. Came via your FB page from your post about your daughter's Greek award - fingers crossed for her, and for you too, sweet lady.

    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

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&

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