Charlcie

So Dr. W finally got back with me about the letter I sent him in September. He called last Friday, and I missed his call.  He left a message that said he would call back AND HE DID. I mean, wow. Not very often a doctor will try to call a second time. He had a good excuse for his delay in contacting me as he had been out of the country, and I can understand that. Remember, right after third surgery my thyroglobulin (TG) was 0.5. My concern was in August, it was 1.3. Was an increase, even if under 2.0, bad in terms of changing his mind on radioactive treatment or anything else? He basically said not to worry about the increase in TG because it was still under the magic number of 2.0. There were a number of factors that could have affected it to change just that little bit. What's next? Dr. W said to go see him in January 2013 for an exam and the order for the next blood draw to check out my TG again and ultrasound. Basically, I will enjoy the holidays and deal with this again ne...

The latest and greatest (?) on the beast that is thyroid cancer, best expressed via the letter I sent to my new endocrinologist/thyroid cancer specialist: Dear Dr. W, Thanks for seeing me back in June 2012 and for your follow-up letter indicating that my thyroglobulin (TG) level at that time was 0.5. This was great to hear, that and the news that as a result of the low TG test you felt that I did not need the radioactive iodine treatment at that time. I am enclosing my most recent blood work for your review and records drawn by Dr. Pun . I am concerned that my TG is now 1.3. I understand that it is good that the TG result continues to be below 2.0, but are you concerned at all that it is now in an upward trend? My current questions for you as a result of your letter sent to me and June and this latest TG result: When should I have my blood drawn again?   Are you concerned about my latest TG result of 1.3? Does this 1.3 TG result change your mind about radioa...

I have had three surgeries to remove thyroid cancer from my neck in four years. For the third time in four years, I have stabbing pains in my neck after surgery. "It's a good thing. It's the nerves growing back and regenerating." This is what the surgeon said when I asked about it the first time. This information still does not prepare you for the first time you feel that stabbing pain in your neck, as if someone took the tip of a knive and stabbed you just enough for you to feel it. So I should be prepared for them this time, right, as sadly I'm an old pro at this thyroid cancer business. I was prepared but still surprised when the stabbing pain returned. Although it is a good thing, it is still a reminder. For me, it is as much of what I have been through as what could be. I can't help but wonder if it is really over or if I am going to continue to be in the 30% sorority/ fraternity of those with recurrent thyroid cancer. More surgeries? Will I get...

In the excitement of learning my thyroglobulin level post-surgery was undectectable earlier this month, my cancerversary passed without fanfare or observance. July 15, 2008, is the date I was first told that I had papillary carcinoma, one of the four types of thyroid cancer. Since that day in 2008, I have: Had three surgeries Two scars on my neck Had two recurrences Had one radioactive iodine treatment Lost most of my ability to sleep like a normal person Yet realized that I want to sleep more than any human probably should Learned more about myself than I ever thought I could Figured out that I am strong Found out you can't rely on doctors to take care of you. Only you can take care of you. Learned alot about the people around me, both good and bad Have seen my anxiety level increase to new heights Have isolated myself more than I should because most days it feels like no one gets it Have trusted others in general less than I did before my diagnosis (which ...

This is the word in the letter I received from the endocrinologist that was unbelievable to me: UNDETECTABLE . "Your thyroglobulin is now undetectable at less than 0.5, indicating that Dr. Sanders performed an excellent surgery in removing the involved lymph nodes and we have reason to be somewhat more optimistic at this time." Out of frustration more with the situation of having thyroid cancer for the third time in four years than with my current endocrinologist, I sought out a second opinion on what to do next following surgery. I wanted someone to confirm what my current endocrinologist's plan was for moving forward. As a result, I met with Dr. Leonard Wartofsky at the Washington (DC) Hospital Center in June. Google him, and you will find that he is an endocrinologist specializing in thyroid cancer and that he has published many papers on thyroid cancer and radioactive iodine treatment. In fact, he only sees thyroid cancer patients. This is what I had been look...

It's been over three weeks since my surgery. I'm somewhere between post-surgery and back on my feet. Better than the alternative, I know. Still feeling pretty crappy in general. I've had some strange swelling above my incision for about a week. Let's backtrack...first week post-surgery, definite swelling. It went away week two and reappeared week three. And I understand the shooting pains in my neck and that they are good. That means the nerves are regenerating, coming back with a vengance. However, I have this strange achy feeling from my ear to my jaw where the swelling is. My endocrinologist noticed it on Monday, said I could ask my surgeon about it. I called the surgeon's office, and they worked me in to see him. He said it is not uncommon to see fluid collection when removing lymph nodes, to ice it as needed and use ibuprofen as needed. If it does not go away by July 1, I should go back to see him about possibly draining this or treating it with steroids....

Everyday, I am feeling better in terms of my neck. The sore, sometimes random pains have mainly shifted from my ear/jawline to the actual incision, which is to be expected. Example: last night, it felt like someone was pricking my incision with straight pins. This is good, as I understand, as it means that the feeling is gradually starting to return to the area. If the pain is too intense, now I just take a dose or two of ibuprofen throughout the day for pain instead of percocet. Swelling has mostly gone down, but I do notice a little still. Tomorrow is my post-op appointment with the surgeon. It has become a ritual of some sorts that my mom attends this appointment with me then, after Dr. Sanders takes off the last of the steri-strips remaining on the incision, they both curiously stare at the incision on my neck. This has happened with all three surgeries. In fact, my mom scheduled her flight back to Oklahoma on Saturday so she could attend the appointment with me and conduct sai...