I know I said I was going to take a mini break from blogging, but I miss it. It is a good outlet for me, so I am changing my mind and deciding I just am not going to be able to blog as much as I have in the past.
During the last week, I have noticed the lack of hormones kick in- just as my Dr. said they would. I was never very hormonal when pregnant, but in a a way I feel like I am now. I will be happy and fine, and then for no reason I will just start crying for ten minutes, really hard- and then I will be feeling fine again, until the next time it happens. Not knowing when this is going to happen is hard- especially around my boys. They ask me why I am crying and I tell them it is just part of mommy having to get well again.
I have been able to do almost all the rehab exercises for my shoulder, except for a few where I am supposed to hang my neck down. That just hurts too much to do it right now, and my Dr. said don’t do any of the exercises that cause pain. Just trying to keep up with a house and two boys is giving my shoulder a good workout. I am trying to do light chores with it- ones that don’t hurt but ones that I can use the muscles.
I have been able to cut my pain medication into about half the dosage- it says I can take one every four hours, but I am finding I can go about six to eight hours between one. The other day, I tried cutting them out all together and just taking Advil. OUCH! Clearly I am not ready for that, but I feel when my current perscription of pain medication is gone, I will hopefully be ready to just be on ibuprofen. I have had wonderful friends do yard work, and stop by with flowers and food, and of course my family has been there every step of the way too. I know that has contributed in my being able to rest and not overdo it.
I meet with the endocrinologist next week to find out what I have to do prepare for the radioactive iodine treatment I need, and I know that is going to involve my diet. I haven’t had much of an appetite at all. My doctor said usually after surgery, most patients gain weight because the thyroid controls your metabolism. That has been the opposite for me. I have been forcing down light foods like chicken, pasta salads, tuna, yogurt, and cheese. But nothing sounds good to eat. I have even stopped drinking coffee in the morning. If you know me you know I LOVE coffee, but the thought of smelling coffee actually makes me nauseous.
I slept for almost 14 hours yesterday and woke up and felt like I hadn’t slept at all- another aspect the thyroid controls. So I feel tired all the time. I get bouts of energy where I will do what needs to be done, and then I am pretty much wiped out for the day.
My sister had her annual exam yesterday and she made them check her thyroid. They said it felt fine, but they were going to test her levels anyway in view of my situation, which made me happy. I have talked to a lot of people who have never had their thyroids felt during their exams. As I wrote here, and as everyone told me, if you have to have cancer, thyroid cancer is the “best” one to have, but it is still cancer. I didn’t have to have the neck dissection on both sides of my neck, because of early detection.
But my neck aches every minute of the day. It feels like my neck was cut off, and sewn back on. There is no good cancer to have- I am grateful mine is so treatable and the survival rate is so high, but having your thyroid out (and lymph nodes as well in my case) is not something you ever want to have to go through.
I plan to write an amazing review of a scar healing product that was sent to me, but I want to devote an entire post to that, but I have been truly amazed by it. I am going to post some updated pictures of my scar, because I feel this is life- cancer happens, and people do recover.
I lost someone who I thought was a friend, over my posting my cancer surgery pictures from my blog, but the e-mails from people that are experiencing cancer themselves, or have just found out they have thyroid cancer has been overwhelming. Not a day goes by without someone sending me an e-mail, thanking me for sharing my story, because it has helped them, or someone they love who is dealing with thyroid cancer.
My goal in posting my cancer story, pictures, and recovery is not to be gross, or muster up sympathy for myself, but to help people realize that it is a condition that you can be treated for and recover from. It is not a pleasant experience, but you can recover. I recently read something I really liked about cancer- it said, “Cancer is a word- not a sentence,” and I feel that is so true. Life hands us experiences, like cancer, we never expect, but the body, mind, and spirit can recover- and it does.
If looking at scar pictures bother you, please don’t look any further. I plan to have more pictures when I write the review of the scar healing product but for now, here is how my scar is doing:
Scar on June 26, 2009
Scar on July 15, 2009
I know I sound like a broken record, but I just can’t thank everyone enough for the love and support that you continue to send my way. It helps me more than you will ever know- Thank you.
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Mel says:
I am so glad to read the update and it sounds like recovery is going well (kind of strange statement I know). It is amazing to see the outside healing in the pictures…know i am still praying.
July 17th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Nicole says:
I seriously don’t know what is “gross” about posting your pictures. I think it’s interesting, and potentially VERY helpful to anyone going through it. It’s amazing how much you’ve healed already! The human body is amazing!
I think of you often! I’m going to see you next week, one way or another.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Mary says:
Heather;
I’m so glad your blogging again, as I said, I read it everyday! I can’t wait to see what you have written. I’m also glad you wrote about your thyroid, it’s been very educational for me. I just had my thyroid levels checked and am going to be going on medication, but the doctor feels I can get it turned back around and won’t have to be on it forever! I’m seeing a bio-identical hormone doctor and a lot of my issues have to do with menopause, and being 50!!! See the fun you have to look forward to!!!
July 17th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Lovely says:
I too have thyroid problems, I am so proud of your strength and courage. Keep the faith.
Peace and Blessings
July 30th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Katie says:
I’m not sure where to start. I found your website while I was looking for tips on a low iodine diet for my radioactive treatment I’m doing on Sept 2 due to Thyroid cancer. I have some questions though for you and wanted to make you aware of the doctors in Little Rock Arkansas. My cousin has thyroid cancer as well and went through similar surgery as mine 18 months ago. But because of my doctors, this process has been MUCH easier for me than for him. If you like, please contact me and we can discuss.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 am
cheryl vaught says:
Hi Heather.
I found out in June I had thyroid cancer, but as a teacher, I did not want to leave students at exam time. Since I live alone, its been key to get my home/ life ready to return to after my operation. My surgery date is Aug.11. Your honesty helps me so much as my doctor does not like questions! He thinks its a very minor surgery/cancer and thinks I’m blowing it out of porportion when I ask questions- he doesn’t understand my need to know. Thanks for your photos and words- they help me prepare! Cheryl
August 4th, 2009 at 9:17 am
A Mama's Blog says:
Hi Cheryl- glad you found the information helpful.
I ended up having the cancer in my lymph nodes in my neck as well, so the surgery became much more complicated. Some have been surprised the scar has been so big, but that is becuase I had to have a neck dissection on the left side of my neck.
If they are removing the thyroid only, usually the scar is only a few inches, right below your Adam’s apple.
I was so afraid I was going to die- I asked my surgeron point blank if I was going to die from this and he smiled and said “No.” He told me as patients, he understands how serious it is for us, but from a doctor/surgeon standpoint, having the thyroid removed is a minor operation.
However, when we found out about the lymph nodes, he said it was a serious surgery. So I think most doctors view the thyroid removal a fairly routine operation. But if you have questions, I would encourage you to keep asking your doctor questions. As a patient that is your right.
Good luck.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:37 am
cheryl says:
So true, we must ask questions! All my prior surgeries were major- no, this is NOT one of those!Luckily, I’ve high pain tolerance. MY main concern lies in how my body reacts to no thyroid/later Rx adjustment.For teachers, “mood swings”, a bad day,time off for treatment aren’t an option! So,I’ll hope for the best, but just prepare for needing some healing time.
August 4th, 2009 at 11:31 am
thankful says:
Could you please tell me the name of the amazing scar healing product? My son just have surgery of thyroid cancer last week. He still has stitches which will be removed next week? Thank you very, very much.
October 9th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Rebekah says:
My mother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer today, and I was looking for more information about it and found your blog. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and pictures.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Maureen says:
Thank you for sharing your story. The hardest part of my ablation last week was needing to send the kids away for Thanksgiving without me. The journey to heal is one that true friends will share with you. The scar on the outside is nothing compared to the fatigue and emotional roller coaster. Sometimes I think I need to say thyroid cancer is like having caner lite, but to think it begins at such a young age. I just found out in September at the age of 39, but this is a journey and not a death sentence that many associate with the word cancer. Stay strong know that you are loved and this is a stepping stone to stay vigilant as a mom. We need to take care of ourselves so that we can care for our kids.
December 5th, 2009 at 1:42 pm