When I turned 21 years old in spring of 2009 I was in perfect health- or at least I thought i was. my energy level was high, I was pregnant, and working out regularly, granted it was the first time in years that I was more than 110lbs and I was eating healthy. I had never broken a bone, and never was in the hospital. I thought I was invincible.
I had been seeing the same primary care physician for close to 16years. My close friend had continually raved about one of her doctors , so for a change I went to see her instead in february of 2009. During a routine exam , she discovered a few lumps, and my neck was noticeable swollen. The lumps were in my neck on my thyroid gland, and several lymph nodes. I always knew I had a thyroid gland, bu didnt know where it was or what it did. However, I quickly became an expert.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland, which wraps around the front part of your windpipe, just below the adams apple. It produces hormones, which influence essentially every organ, tissue and cell in the body. Thyroid hormones regulate the body's metabolism and organ function, affecting heart rate,cholesterol level, body weight, memory and many other conditions. Its definitely one important gland.
I was quickly sent to an endocrinologist, otherwise known as a "thyroid go to doctor". he confirmed the exsistence of the lump (formally called a nodule) and arranged for a needle biopsy. He explained to me that the lump was highly doubtable that it was either benign or cancerous. A few weeks later I stopped by the hospital , they extracted several tissue samples from my thyroid gland and then sent them in for testing just to confirm everything and be sure it was nothing like the doctor had told me.
I HAVE CANCER
I drove to the endocrinologists office a week later to get the biopsy results. Because I was feeling great and had never had any serious medical problems, I assumed that the lump was benign. However, it wasnt. The doctor explained that the lump was "suspicious" for papillary cancer (the most common thyroid type). Suspicious meant there was a 99% chance that it was cancerous. Until they remove the tissue from your body, they can't state the findings with 100% accuracy. He said simply, " your thyroid gland must be removed." He also shared that since the cancer was detected in my early 20's and that the lump was being removed quickly , the chances of survival were close to 100%. I soon learned that thyroid cancer is one of the most curable types of cancers.
In addition to having my thyroid gland removed, I discovered that I would also have to take medication for the rest of my life. Synthetic Thyroid Hormone Pills, taken daily, would replace the natural thyroid hormones. I immediately asked the question that all women would ask, " Will I gain any weight?" He had said that it all depends on the person and how their body handles the situation.
I jumped on the internet to find out everything that i could about thyroid cancer. i learned that 13 million Americans and one of eight women have a thyroid disorder. Many of these disorders go undetected and untreated. many famous people including rod steward, and kim alexis have had thyroid nodules removed. and the movie critic roger ebert was a recent thyroid cancer survivor. so im not alone.
the surgery
we scheduled the thyrodiectomy (complete removal of the thyroid gland) for may of 2009. the operation would take close to 3 hours, and i would have to remain in the hospital for 5 days, then need help recovering for the next 6 to 8 days. total recuperation time could take up to three weeks.
as the date grew closer, i became more and more anxious. i had never had a surgery other than when i was a baby this invasive and serious before. what would it be like, how would i feel? i arrived at the hospital at 6am with no makeup, no glassses, and no jewlery as per instruction. i was told to remove all my clothing and put on a cap to cover my hair. i looked like a supermodel....not. my little girl and some family came to say goodbye and wish me well. then went to the waiting area. 30 minutes later i was wheeling into the operating room. i was then given something to calm me down because i was histarics at this poing through an iv to calm me down and take the edge off. and was unconscious within seconds. the next thing i knew, i was waking up in the recovery room. a nurse talked t me, gave me some water, and then i go to see my boyfriend and a little later my little girl. i dont remember much as i was pretty out of it.
soon i was wheeled into a hospital rom,it looked just as youd expect. had some medical equipment, and bare and lonely. i spent the next 15 hrs or so sleeping, taking meds, had some complications alond the way. then the next few days eating lots of jello and ice cream..
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