January is Thyroid Awareness Month - Barb's Story

Thyroid awareness month

In July, 2005, as I was putting lotion on my face and neck I noticed a lump on my throat, roughly where my Adam's apple is, that I hadn't noticed before. I was quite sure it wasn't something that belonged. I made an appointment with my doctor.

My family doctor subsequently made an appointment with a nose ear & throat specialist. I went to see this doctor and underwent a few uncomfortable procedures. I had three nodules on my thyroid, but whether they were benign or malignant the doctor couldn't tell. I was sent to the Nuclear Medicine department of the hospital for a special x-ray, which was inconclusive as well. I was told that the next step was surgery.

Initially booked for several months down the road, a cancellation suddenly moved the date forward. I was glad to get the procedure and the suspense over with!

Along the way I'd done a lot of internet research on the thyroid and the implications of nodules. What a wonderful tool the internet can be. As my mother has a goitre and my youngest sister has hypothyroidism, I read about all aspect of thyroid disease. The pre-surgery appointment at the hospital was helpful for understanding what to expect of the surgery itself.

I was very grateful to have my dear friend Marjorie accompany me to the hospital that day, to wait with me prior to going to the operating room, as well as being there when I came out of recovery. It was a long day for her! I was unconscious for longer than expected, not because of the surgery, but because the operating room had to be re-sterilized, adding extra time to the procedure.

My recovery was uneventful -- three days in the hospital, then home for two weeks. Thankfully, only half my thyroid was removed and none of the parathyroid glands. My voice was unaffected by the operation. The nodules proved to be benign. And as the remaining half of my thyroid was working I have not had to take medication. The only sign of this ordeal is the small scar across my neck. Thanks be to God.

Click here for a definition of Thyroid nodules 

Click here for information on Goiters 

Click here for information on thyrotoxicosis 

 Thank you Barb for sharing your experience with Thyroid disease. 

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2014 twosnydergirls 

Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

 Muriel's Story

 

In January of 2007 I was diagnosed as having thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed in March of 2007.  I also had radioactive iodine therapy for good measure as well.  I remember the nurse advising me about the side effects from the radioactive iodine which can cause drooling to occur if the iodine remains in the Saliva Glands.  I immediately asked her to wait just a minute as I hurried outside to where my husband was waiting.  I informed him that I might just drool after this treatment.   My husband is a great guy, he smiled and said - it's okay, I would love you anyway - hence I continued with the procedure.  Looking back, I realized I would have done so anyway because I had two children anxiously waiting for me at home.

In my case, it took four years to get this Cancer diagnosis which allowed time for the cancer to grow and spread. I remember attending physiotherapy sessions and being told to stand up straighter against the wall because my severe neck and head pain was thought to be caused from poor posture.   

When my thyroid was removed, I commenced the journey of finding the correct dose of medication that would eliminate my constant fatigued state.  I was also prescribed steroids which resulted in an immediate 35 pound weight gain.  

In January of 2007, I was still very ill.  A scan revealed that some of the cancer still remained and had spread towards my larynx.  I remember the Specialist in London advising me that my Larynx might have to be removed.  I was in shock and asked him if I would still be able to sing?  He replied, "Not like you used to" and he realized that I didn't quite understand the ramifications of one losing their larynx. 

I left the hospital and remained determined that my cup of life was still going to be half full.  I pulled off the road and called the music store in Owen Sound.  I explained my problem and the fact that I might be speech impaired and how important it was for me to make a recording so that my children could still hear me sing. 

I made the recording, commenced more treatment and I am happy to report that I only have to go to London for further follow-up once a year.

I am a Thyroid Cancer Survivor.  I will add that I now travel more, it reinforced the fact that life can change in one half- a moment, I wear my passion and I am grateful to my co-workers, husband and girls for seeing me through this journey.  

Life is grand.

 2015 Update Muriel is once again finds her fighting thyroid cancer and she remain positive and focused on living her life with optimism and joy. 

Muriel posted her story in the comments sections of January 14, 2014 blog post on Thyroid Disease.  She graciously agree to allow me to share it more widely.

Thyroid Foundation of Canada

and

American Thyroid Association

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2015 twosnydergirls 

Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

 

ThyroidChange.org

I was 25 when I found out I had thyroid cancer.  Prior to this, I didn’t know what a thyroid was.  I noticed a swelling on my neck just above the collar bone.  Having had cancer in my neck 4 years earlier, I knew I needed to take this seriously.   

My specialist was quick to provide me with the provisional diagnosis (all tests were inconclusive) and booked me for a thyroidectomy, a simple two hour surgery.  Waiting for the surgery was the hardest part, a full 6 weeks of emotional turmoil.    

 

Source

At the age I was, I should have been carefree, busy planning my future, dating the wrong kind of guy, having fun and making mistakes.  I should not have been plagued with thoughts of illness and a life destined to be short lived.  This preoccupation with my own mortality continued for many years after my health issues were resolved and I still bear the emotional scars.  

The surgery was more complicated than expected, taking a full 6 hours.  The cancer more advanced than anticipated.  The doctor had to remove my thyroid, half of my parathyroids, as well as my thymus, lymph nodes and other tissue.  The pathology report concluded that it was indeed cancer, too different types, both unrelated to my original cancer, leaving me questioning, ‘why me again’.  

 

Source

I remember asking the medical professionals if this was related to the therapeutic radiation I had received with my first cancer.  I was assured at that time that this was not the case.  I have since been told that the therapeutic radiation was likely the cause of my thyroid cancer and knowing what the medical establishment knows today about the risk of thyroid cancer from neck radiation, they would never have given it to me.   My recovery  was long, or at least it seemed that way.   

After the surgery, it took me about a month to hold my head up (to this day, I hold my head at an angle).   After the surgery, I had radioactive iodine therapy for good measure.  I have to take my thyroid medication daily.  Thyroid tissue is nebulous and it is difficult if not impossible to remove all of it.  It also likes to regenerate.   

Taking my medication regularly, helps to keep what cells are left,  dormant.  I also have regular check ups to make sure things are fine.  Fortunately, follow up treatment for thyroid cancer, should it return, is minimally invasive, consisting of the ingestion of radioactive iodine capsules and diagnostic imaging.   

Now, 20 years later, I am still here and thyroid cancer free.  

Guest Blogger and thyroid cancer survivor Vicki L.

For more information visit:

Thyroid Foundation of Canada

or

American Thyroid Association

Grandma Snyder

©2013-2014 twosnydergirls