Update on me...

[sgorny]

First off, I wanted to thank everyone for expressing concern and support about my health. And I wanted to let you all know that you don't have to worry. The cancer was very small, in the center of one side of the gland, without any blood vessels feeding it. Because it didn't have any blood vessels near it, and because it was not on the outside of the gland, I don't have to worry about it "seeding" itself anywhere else (according to the surgeon). So no radiation needed, no chemotherapy - thank god! I have a kinda funny-lookin' head shape, which my full hair does a good job of hiding. I definitely wouldn't look as good as Melissa Etheridge without hair!

The surgery is considered the cure, and he says that I need not worry about this meaning that I'm more likely to get cancer elsewhere. But... since I had a colon polyp removed 4 years ago (precancerous), and am due to have another colonoscopy next April... I may just move that up. To be sure that there isn't anything to worry about.

Better to be safe than sorry! I want to be around for a long, long time.

Comments

[mclachlan.livejournal.com]

I'm just beyond relieved that everything turned out okay. ^_^

[quinn222.livejournal.com]

Such good news, I'm so happy all is well and that you don't need further treatment.

[paddies.livejournal.com]

YAY!! :D

[its-ktd.livejournal.com]

THATS WONDERFUL NEWS!

[twistinside82.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a plan to me. Cos we want you around for a long, long time as well. ♥

[rae-1985.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy and relieved you are going to be ok. I just went back and read your other post talking about the cancer. I wasn't around when it was posted. I'm sorry I missed it. Thank god you are ok. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[andtheafterglow.livejournal.com]

i'm so glad to hear you're all right. xo.

[windtossed.livejournal.com]

that is SUCH good news. i hope everything goes well with your colonoscopy and any upcoming surgery. *bug hug*

[shape5.livejournal.com]

Oh, good news! Also, as horrible as colonocopies are (everyone in my family does them because there have been a few cases of colon cancer in the family), it is so worth the peace of mind.

[teary-eyed2.livejournal.com]

Well that is great news since it's exceptionally rare not to have post-op radioactive iodine treatment (which doesn't have the awful side effects of external radiation or chemo) recommended as a precaution.

[qafhappy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think I might ask an oncologist for a second opinion, just to be sure. Not that I don't trust the surgeon, but it IS my life... and I would hate to be misinformed.

[lucinda428.livejournal.com]

I'd get a second opinion too, just for peace of mind, but it's very good news when they're that confident. I have two close relatives who each had a cancer operation and were told they didn't require follow-up, and 17 and 6 years later respectively, neither has shown any further problems despite regular checks. (And the 17-year one was lung, which is notoriously hard to cure.)

[qafhappy.livejournal.com]

I was thinking... maybe since you had 2 operations, there was a chance that it had been "seeded" by the first one, which is why you still needed treatment after surgery? Or maybe it was more on the outside of the gland, or had blood vessels in/near it?

Just a thought.

[teary-eyed2.livejournal.com]

My first surgery was a "pioneering" keyhole partial thyroidectomy to remove only the nodule in case it wasn't cancerous and so that it left a smaller 1" scar. The pathology report showed no evidence of any cancer spread outside the tumor margins. The nodule was so small (1.1 cm) I had no symptoms at all (I couldn't see it and feel it) but was detected by my doctor through a routine physical.

I was referred to one of the world's leading thyroid surgeons who's also involved in thyroid cancer research (he appears in over 200 listings under Google).

The radioactive iodine treatment is also given as a preventative to ensure that no new thyroid cancers (unrelated to the original cancer) can develop because it works to destroy every remaining thyroid cell in the body. Thyroid surgery is quite complicated and has to avoid damaging vocal cords and the parathyroid glands, so generally there will be some thyroid tissue left behind. Hence, I had to have a neck scan (using an injectable tracing agent) after surgery. If no traces of thyroid tissue had shown up on the scan, I may not have needed further treatment. But because they did, I was told that I should have the full-on iodine treatment to ensure a 99.9% cure rate. But that's just my case and I could be hit by by a meteorite a year from now which would make it all superfluous anyway ;).

The other reason this treatment is done is so that follow-up body scans using injected iodine are much more accurate. Iodine is only absorbed by thyroid cells and if nothing detectable shows up on a scan, it means you're completely clear.

PS my aunt who lives overseas had thyroid cancer at 42 and had the same treatments (she's still going strong at 60) so that may be why they thought it best to err on the side of total prevention.

[qafhappy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to go talk to an oncologist, specializing in thyroid cancer... just to be sure.

[eyesfullofhope.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad everything is going to be alright. {{}}

[darksylvia.livejournal.com]

YAY! I'm happy you don't have to have any other stuff!

[nomeremuggle.livejournal.com]

That's great! :)

[sapphire9977.livejournal.com]

I want you around for a long long time too! I'm so glad that you don't need any follow up from the surgery. Take care of yourself missy! *hugs*

[gaedhal.livejournal.com]

Great news --

Don't try to do too much too soon!

[queenydiva.livejournal.com]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay! :oD

[kiramalfoy.livejournal.com]

i'm glad that you're okay, and you will be around for a LONGGGGGGGGGGG time!! ♥

[elisabet-moisio.livejournal.com]

That's good news. I'm glad you are going to be ok. :)

[rhiannonhero.livejournal.com]

I wantyou around for a long, long, long time, too! I'm glad things look so good for the future. :)

[carnivalnights.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad things have gone the way they've gone for you. That is very good news. And yes, definitely better to be safe than sorry. Good luck with everything, love. <33

[tclark1922.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad for you that you received this good news. Smart move on the other medical exam. Good luck w/ that as well.

Peace
TK

[slashpile.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm relieved you'll be able to keep your head's shape to yourself. I guess not everyone can be Patrick Stewart. Sigh.

Enough with the excitement. Surprise butterflies and rainbows and good TV shows. And confirmatory second opinions. Yup, sending some of those your way. *crosses toes just to be safe*