Charlcie

Today on Twitter, I ran across the story of a 16-year-old girl who had been fighting cancer who died this morning. Her name was Esther Earl. I felt compelled to read her story. What a surprise to find that she died of thyroid cancer. My first thought was that it was probably anaplastic thyroid cancer, which is the most deadly and swift-moving form of thyroid cancer. Once again, I was surprised to find that she had the same type of thyroid cancer that I had: papillary carcinoma. Hers had spread to her lungs early. She tried experimental chemotherapy, to no avail. I didn't know her...she seemed like a bright light in the world that has now gone to Heaven. Her story has lingered with me all day. May she rest in peace. And may we all hug our children and appreciate our own life. Tribute to Esther Earl> More about Esther Earl - Her CaringBridge page>

First, what is a cancerversary? Some say it is the day you were diagnosed. Some say it is the day you get the "all clear" from cancer. I subscribe to the "day you were diagnosed" theory to mark my cancerversary, especially since I'm still not "all clear"...but that's another story. Note I didn't say "celebrate" my cancerversary. Of course, I don't want to celebrate having cancer. However, thyroid cancer changed my life so I have to take note of it. It was good to read my blog post marking my one-year cancerversary in 2009, reminding me of the journey. I am also feeling guilty for feeling different, a bit darker, even jaded, about it all. I'm a survivor now, right? Well, not really. Remember, I'm one " those patients " in my endocrinologist's practice that he's got to keep a close eye on. Even if it comes back again, I've had the surgery (times two). I've had the treatment. I can do it again, righ...

I've had what seems like a hundred blog posts rolling around in my head during the last month and somehow managed not to post a single thing in May. Nada...not a photo or sentence. Geez, that's pathetic. Will endeavor to do better. I have connected with so many young adult cancer patients/survivors in the past month: a new friend who survived uterine cancer at 23, 36-year-old newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patient, another friend who survived testicular cancer at 28. While three of us are talking about being a cancer survivor at a recent dinner, a friend of my husband whom he has recently reconnected with after 20 years shares his wife (late 30s) also survived stage 3 breast cancer. Do we just talk about cancer more now or does it seem like there is more cancer being diagnosed now? Maybe better testing/scans? Also I wonder if I am just more aware of it since I was diagnosed almost two years ago. I have had two people ask me recently if I'm in remission. I hate saying no...b...

Today was another interesting visit with Dr. Pun , my endocrincologist. Apparently, I’m one of “those people” in his practice, as he says, the ones he has to monitor very closely for recurrence of thyroid cancer because the tests either disagree or won't move into a "normal" range. He says there are only about 10 of us in his practice. After many tests and scans this spring , he’s not comfortable with my status in terms of everything being “all clear.” Blood tests clearly show something is not right yet the scans and tests don’t point to any changes. There’s something concerning in my neck lymph nodes. However, it is not an amazingly unusual size and has not changed over the past year much at all. So I’ll have more blood drawn, more doctors’ appointments, more scans in the coming months. And continue to be one of “those people” in Dr. Pun’s practice, knowing that thyroid cancer will not define me but will continue to be a part of me, at least for a while. Somehow, I’m a c...

Mackenzie, this is for you...three great non-cancer things for the week of March 22. We'll go by birth order: After working hard during her campaign, Mackenzie was elected to the JMHS Student Government Executive Board for her senior year. Christian enrolled in JMHS as of Tuesday. He arrived back in Virginia just in time to submit his application for a great photography program for his senior year. We are so glad he is back living with us! Morgan was named one of the two captains on her soccer team for the spring season. Through successes and failures, we are truly blessed with great kids.

I received my PET scan results earlier this week. I sat on the results a few days as I needed to digest what it really meant for me, not just what the doctor says. There are no new growth and no changes to the questionable areas seen on the left side of my neck. It hasn't "gone away" on the left side, something strange seems to be there on that left side, but it hasn't changed. In thyroid cancer talk, that's good. What could have happened? Strange left area could have grown and/or new suspicious areas were found. This didn't happen so that's really great news. Is it? Well, it's all I've got for now. I'll take it. Some of you know that I can be, um, "wound pretty tight" at times. Sometimes I think this unresolved thyroid cancer business is my personal challenge from God to learn patience...and understanding...and patience. And to leave more things to Him, not to worry. This not worrying business is not easy for me. Next steps: ultraso...

On Monday, day two of my non-leap year birthday, I posted the following on my facebook page: Day 2 of my "un"/"fake" birthday and so many more b-day wishes...thanks everyone! And the great news of the day: I got the results today of my thyroid cancer scan, and it was clear! Lovin' the cancer survivor thing much better than the cancer patient gig. :) I received lots of supportive comments and "likes" on this Facebook status. Man, I liked this status! Apparently I "jumped the gun" a bit in the good news about my test results. The whole body scan was, in fact, clear. However, my blood work is elevated/abnormal/stinks. I spoke with Dr. Pun on the phone mid-week regarding this strange thing: that the whole body scan is clear yet the blood work, thyroglobulin, has been and continues to be elevated. I found a medical journal article online that says the blood test is the more reliable of the two, and that it is possible that these two tests could h...