morganbn's Journey with Papillary Carcinoma, Thyroid Cancer

I've always had hyperthyroidism, and after having an ultrasound done, my doctor noticed calcium nodules, and she told us there was a possible chance of it being cancer.

We(my doctor, parents, and myself) decided to have the thyroid removed, since it seemed like the easiest option.

My thyroidectomy was supposed to be 3-4 hours, but it ended up being 5-6 hours because once my surgeon started, he realized it actually was thyroid cancer, so he removed extra tissue and lympnodes. This was my first surgery. I only had to stay overnight at the hospital, and was discharged the next afternoon.

I had to take pills, and drink the radiation. It was painless, and the only impact to my life it had was that I was radioactive, and could not be around anybody which was extremely difficult.

I had a seizure on March 3rd. It was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. After being in the hospital all day, we found out that I did in fact have a small mass in the left pituitary gland. It's difficult because my radiation is about to start, and now I have a whole other illness to cope with!

On January 31st, 2014 I celebrated my two years cancer free with a big celebration thrown by my family!

I get yearly ultrasounds on my neck, and after having a clean bill of health in my 2013 ultrasound/total body scan...this year was not so lucky. I did not have to have a total body scan this year because last year's was fine. I did however need an ultrasound. On the ultrasound, they discovered a small mass(less than 1cm). It is located in the thyroid bed. My endocrinologist advised to be seen again for a follow-up ultrasound in 3 months, since it is currently too small to remove. Depending on the rate of growth, and it's size at my next ultrasound we will know whether or not it can be removed right away.