Thursday, October 8, 2009

Well...

I'm not really sure how to start this post. I hate to be Debbie Downer and all. But we found out yesterday that my cancer is not gone. This is not "new", this is not a 2nd round, this is some leftover that was missed in the 1st surgery. A month or so ago I went for a ultrasound of my neck because, for those of you that have seen me, I still carry a lot of fluid under my chin/neck area. We did the ultrasound to see if they could tell why. In that ultrasound they discovered 2 lymph nodes that looked "suspicious". There's that dam word again. So they sent me to a specialist to get a ultrasound-guided biopsy, not fun. Yesterday, Jeremy & I met with my endocrinologist to go over the results. What they discovered was more tumor cells in 3 lymph nodes in my right neck. Now on to what I am viewing as the positive part. #1 - There is surgery involved, but never again will it be as big a surgery as the 1st. This one is called a micro-surgery, with a special surgeon. #2 - They can use my last incision, but the new one will be MUCH smaller! #3 - Micro-surgery results in only 1 night of hospital stay for observation!! #4 - There will be more radioactive iodine, but this time my new endo says NO to the locking me in a hospital room making me crazy, but more check in to a hotel. This time I will not have to spend 2 weeks off of my thyroid meds, which was really what made me nuts, but I will have some thyroglobulin shots (which will cost my insurance company a fortune but I do NOT care!) then I will have the RAI (radioactive iodine) and go hide out in a hotel for 5-7 days. I will have to be on that dreadfully AWFUL low-iodine diet again, but that is just par for the course.

I'm not really upset. At this point I'm not really sure WHAT I AM. I'm viewing this as leftover from the 1st surgery, NOT a reoccurance. That is helping. I will update as more information is given. I go to see the new surgeon on the 20th to get my PLAN.

4 comments:

Anne said...

I've said it once and I'll say it again: let is know if we can do ANYTHING for you!

The Saras Family said...

oh anna...i am so sorry to hear this but happy you are so upbeat about the outcome. since we are neighbors and all, if you need anything please let me know...

Anonymous said...

:(
(((Hugs)))

Let it Shine said...

Praying for you and for your family. Please let me know if you guys need anything...seriously...