Woo hoo! I'm now thyroid free! I have this image of a little ghost thyroid fluttering around my head now and then (the thyroid gland looks very similar in shape to a butterfly) or floating on the end of a little ghost balloon string from my throat. It went peacefully and I wish it well, cute little kipper.
So, the surgery went very, very well--smooth as silk. I'll write about my experiences later today or tomorrow. I'm in rest and recuperation mode right now, but just wanted to let everyone know that it was a safe and successful procedure and that I'm home recovering comfortably. Sending a call out to my new friend, Darvocet-- oh yes, I'm feeling just fine! (lol)
Ok, I'm off--got a hot snooze date with my mattress and about 300 pillows. God, I love pillows.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Just the Facts, Ma'am!
LJ's Two Month Whirlwind Tour of Medical Appointments En Route to a Thyroidectomy
(Also known as "Can anybody spare a few extra hours of personal leave?")
6/15/10 - Saw new doctor, who recommended thyroid ultrasound.
6/28/10 - Thyroid ultrasound
7/1/10 - Called in to review ultrasound results with doctor, who ordered biopsy ("fine needle aspiration" or FNA)
Spent a couple weeks collecting ultrasound results, orders, and reports to hand carry to a clinic that accepts my insurance for both the biopsy and the pathology (lab evaluation).
7/28/10 - Biopsy
7/29/10 - Doctor who did the biopsy called. Papillary thyroid carcinoma. Evidence of lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's Disease). (Will explain in a later post.)
8/6/10 - Saw surgeon
8/16/10 - Pre-surgery appointment. EKG (aka human marionette). Peed in cup. Gave blood.
Surgery date: Monday, August 30, 2010. Report to hospital at 8:30am, surgery 10:30am. Outpatient surgery ("same-day" surgery--no overnight).
Wheeee! Nothing like a roller coaster ride with reality!
(Also known as "Can anybody spare a few extra hours of personal leave?")
6/15/10 - Saw new doctor, who recommended thyroid ultrasound.
6/28/10 - Thyroid ultrasound
7/1/10 - Called in to review ultrasound results with doctor, who ordered biopsy ("fine needle aspiration" or FNA)
Spent a couple weeks collecting ultrasound results, orders, and reports to hand carry to a clinic that accepts my insurance for both the biopsy and the pathology (lab evaluation).
7/28/10 - Biopsy
7/29/10 - Doctor who did the biopsy called. Papillary thyroid carcinoma. Evidence of lymphocytic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's Disease). (Will explain in a later post.)
8/6/10 - Saw surgeon
8/16/10 - Pre-surgery appointment. EKG (aka human marionette). Peed in cup. Gave blood.
Surgery date: Monday, August 30, 2010. Report to hospital at 8:30am, surgery 10:30am. Outpatient surgery ("same-day" surgery--no overnight).
Wheeee! Nothing like a roller coaster ride with reality!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Zip Lock Bag of Humor
So I texted Mom, asking if she had any favorite resources for cancer humor from when she was kicking her breast cancer's butt. She wrote back, "No, but I did have my zip lock bag of humor :)". "Zip lock bag of humor?" "Yeah, if I started feeling low I could just whip it out and I'd start smirking again. Anything that makes u laugh - put a copy in ur zip lock bag."
Lol! That's brilliant! I ran and grabbed a small zip lock bag and threw in the Mexican wrestling thumb masks I just bought. I'll keep you posted about further additions. :)
I'm still on the search for a really hilarious thyroid cancer t-shirt. But funny is not one size fits all. My favorites so far are DUDE - where's my thyroid? and Cancer Survivor *thyroid not included. But these are really just amusing, not hilarious. There's one t-shirt design out there that's all a bright green and says "Pee on thyroid cancer" and has a drawing of an alien peeing. Honest. I'm fairly certain this references a Radioactive Iodine treatment. I love the inappropriateness of it, but don't really get it. Could someone school me on that one?
Lol! That's brilliant! I ran and grabbed a small zip lock bag and threw in the Mexican wrestling thumb masks I just bought. I'll keep you posted about further additions. :)
I'm still on the search for a really hilarious thyroid cancer t-shirt. But funny is not one size fits all. My favorites so far are DUDE - where's my thyroid? and Cancer Survivor *thyroid not included. But these are really just amusing, not hilarious. There's one t-shirt design out there that's all a bright green and says "Pee on thyroid cancer" and has a drawing of an alien peeing. Honest. I'm fairly certain this references a Radioactive Iodine treatment. I love the inappropriateness of it, but don't really get it. Could someone school me on that one?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
T Minus 8 Days
In T minus eight days, my thyroid will no longer be living in my throat--it's being evicted for harboring cancer cells without paying a pet deposit. I wonder what it feels like to have a throat without a thyroid. Do you get phantom T3 release sensations? Right now, that cute, little butterfly-shaped gland feels like a Nerf golf ball tucked in my throat.
So, what's with writing a blog, other than everyone and their goldfish is doing it? Perhaps the possibility of losing my out-loud voice has inspired me to find an alternative. I mean, sure, I'm fluent in American Sign Language, but what good does that do me when no one around me signs! I'd just be mumbling to myself all the time without anyone understanding what I'm saying...which, according to my kids is exactly what I do now, so maybe that's not so bad.
I'm not planning to let the lovely little nugget of joy in my throat take me out. However, it's best not to underestimate the power of mutant thyroid cells. It's time for me to listen and learn and keep my eyes open for the opportunities that this kind of experience can bring. This blog is my visual voice and opportunity to share my thoughts, feelings, and experiences with anyone who may be interested in hearing about them. =)
So, what's with writing a blog, other than everyone and their goldfish is doing it? Perhaps the possibility of losing my out-loud voice has inspired me to find an alternative. I mean, sure, I'm fluent in American Sign Language, but what good does that do me when no one around me signs! I'd just be mumbling to myself all the time without anyone understanding what I'm saying...which, according to my kids is exactly what I do now, so maybe that's not so bad.
I'm not planning to let the lovely little nugget of joy in my throat take me out. However, it's best not to underestimate the power of mutant thyroid cells. It's time for me to listen and learn and keep my eyes open for the opportunities that this kind of experience can bring. This blog is my visual voice and opportunity to share my thoughts, feelings, and experiences with anyone who may be interested in hearing about them. =)
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