Serendipity

I can feel it coming - the rambling. You've been forewarned. This post will be anything but succinct.

Last night, I spent one of my two hour spans of stamina out with my husband. We went to a little independent restaurant known for its wine, unique cuisine, and romantic atmosphere. It was a nice little getaway from the confines of my bedroom. We shared an appetizer, salad, coffee, and the most exquisite French Silk pie. Summit Extra Pale Ale for my husband. A large bottle of San Pellegrino for me.

As we sat in our little corner of the restaurant, I spotted a couple of my high school classmates walking to another table. Guy 1 lives here, in the town where we were raised. Guy 2 lives out of state and his parents no longer live here. Considering I live in a town that lacks tourism, few reasons inspire one to visit -- unless you liken world renowned medical care to Disney World. I dated Guy 2's brother for four years (if you can call an on-again-off-again high school drama 'dating'). I spent countless hours at their house. However, I'm not unique in that regard because Guy 2 and his brother hosted innumerable parties throughout high school until several years after college. Guy 2 finished his medical residency here years ago and operates a successful private practice. He and his wife have three children. Why he was here presented an enigma.

When my husband and I got up to leave, I walked up behind Guy 2 and grabbed him by the shoulders. Guy 1 had heard about my cancer and expressed his sympathies. Guy 2 inquired about my life and I filled him in on the cancer and losing E. Ironically, the reason Guy 2 is here is because his wife had thyroid cancer years ago. She's back here for another recurrence (this is at least the second one) of cancerous nodules in her neck. Her cancer recurred despite radiated iodine treatments following her original surgery and her second surgery.

Guy 2 and his wife had no children when she was originally diagnosed. They delayed starting their family because they took her doctor's advice to undergo the iodine treatment. You see, after a woman takes radiated iodine she must wait a year prior to conceiving. Otherwise, the residual radiation destroys the baby's thyroid. This time, she will refuse radiated iodine. She's been seeing a different doctor here who opposes the use of radiated iodine to treat cancerous nodules. He believes it's ineffective for that purpose. Her case presents anecdotal evidence supporting that theory.

Interesting side note: Guy 2 has his own thyroid troubles. He was diagnosed with Graves disease about a year ago. He also took the radiated iodine, but he took it to destroy his thyroid. Somewhat similar in purpose to his wife's treatment (the iodine destroyed any residual thyroid following surgery), yet completely different (he had no surgery and no cancer).

Guy 2 clearly carries resentment regarding his wife's previous treatment plan. That treatment plan messed with their reproductive years and created worry about their children's thyroids. And for what? For more cancer. And more. I understand his resentment. And, I understand why he told me to NEVER follow that treatment plan. He said that if my Endocrinologist ever recommends it (that is yet to be determined), I should seek another opinion from his wife's new doctor.

I consider it serendipitous that I ran into Guy 2. Or the hand of God. I haven't seen Guy 2 for five years. I already told you the limited number of reasons he could be here. I am grateful I ran into Guy 2 and he shared his story. I'm tired of hearing, "My cousin's best friend's neighbor's boyfriend's uncle's co-worker's wife's sister had thyroid cancer five years ago. Or, was it ten? She's fine. Yeah. They just took out her thyroid and she took the iodine. She just takes hormone replacement now. Good as new. Uh huh." Never mind the pain from surgery. The complete lack of energy. The depression. The loss of reproductive years. No biggie.

Guy 2 still says his wife will be fine. But, he doesn't say the word 'fine' with a dismissive tone. He says 'fine' in the sense that she will live. That is not to be taken for granted. It is something to celebrate. But, let's not treat what she's endured as simple as the common cold.