Cancer

To spare you from reading the details, here's the diagnosis first: papillary thyroid cancer. The following gives you the timeline of events:

Yesterday, I went to see an Endocrinologist about my thyroid nodules. The ultrasound last week indicated the presence of three nodules, one large one on each side of my neck and one very small nodule (I can't remember it's location). The left one is the one that I felt last week, prompting me to see my Family Practice doctor. The right one is bigger, but I still cannot feel it because it's apparently not as close to my skin as the left one.

The consulting doctor (I go to a large teaching hospital) recommended a biopsy due to the size of the nodules, despite there being no other reason for concern from the ultrasound. Immediately, I underwent a fine needle aspiration biopsy, which is the only non-surgical method to determine whether or not the nodules are malignant. Two doctors "tag teamed", alternating turns with the ultrasound and the needle. While one doctor held the ultrasound to my neck, the other doctor located the precise spot to insert the needle. They did this three times on each side of my neck. (Side note: If you ever undergo this procedure, don't let them fool you -- it HURTS. Like a mother effer. No anesthetic. Just this needle jabbing into you for what seems like minutes at a time, shoving your throat to the other side of the room.)

My husband and N went with me today to get the results from the biopsy, while L and O were at school and preschool. The doctor said that the right side is benign, but the left side is malignant. My husband was visibly more upset than I. I researched this cancer quite a bit prior to today, so I knew its prognosis is typically good. And, I suppose because it's my body and I feel I can control it, perhaps I wasn't as shocked as my husband. If I heard the word cancer associated with my husband, I'd probably feel more unsettled.

Treatment:
My thyroid will be completely removed and as long as there are no other signs of cancer, I'll need no further treatment for the cancer. I will take a hormone replacement tablet daily for the rest of my life. If there is more cancer, the likely treatment regime includes iodine radiation. It's unlikely I'll need treatment beyond that.

The endocrinologist said that because my thyroid function has not been altered by the nodule (my blood tests are fine for TSH), this condition did not cause E's death. I think I'm relieved by that because it somehow takes some of the fear out of trying for another baby. The doctor also said that treatment for thyroid cancer will not inhibit my ability to get pregnant or to safely carry a baby. If I do need radiation therapy, I will need to wait a year before trying again because the radiation could "zap" the baby's thyroid. (Don't you just love my medically accurate description?)

I'll have blood drawn tomorrow for a calcium infusion test. Then, I meet with the surgeon Monday to schedule the surgery. I'll also meet with another doctor at some point to check on my vocal cords prior to surgery.

It all feels very surreal to me right now. I think because this cancer is so treatable, I haven't broken down emotionally yet. The biopsy yesterday completely wiped me out and I'm still sore from that. But, emotionally I'm OK. I don't know how much cancer is in my body, so until surgery I'll try to remain hopeful. I have no reason to believe surgery won't rid my body of all the cancer. (Maybe I'll have a different perspective in a few days.)

Please pray that the cancer is localized so that I do not need to take the iodine. I'd like to try for another baby as soon as possible.