Proofreader's Journey with Thyroid Cancer

The doctor called me at work less than 24 hrs from when the biopsy was performed. I had a pronounced lump on my neck soft and not tender. The doctor should have asked me to come in and discuss the method or process. My hands were shaking when I hung up the phone. I had a very empathetic supervisor. I went into a sort of shock, after work I went home and told my family. I felt like I was in a surreal space and what I was saying wasn't reality. After a short while and much looking on the Internet I knew it was true and set in place the surgery etc.

I had a full thyroidectomy. I strongly suggest you ask the anesthesiologist to numb your hand slightly and then have the IV needle inserted otherewise it hurts alot when the regular aid inserts the IV in it. Don't be afraid to ASK questions and raise your concern about pain or discomfort.

Special low iodine diet was not clearly described to me by hospital brochure or doctor so I followed Internet diet from thyroid cancer website. INCORRECT - call your doctor and ask for details on low iodine diet. I had to have 4 IV's of saline to recover from no iodine even though I kept telling the doctor in the interval before the RAI treatment, "I am dizzy why am I dizzy? " He didn't "LISTEN" and ask me questions. Anyway be careful with this prep. The pill is no big deal but seems weird since its radio active and you near to isolate from others even pets for 24-48 hrs or so.

I had dizziness on and off I had/have a "morning voice" when I get tired or speak too much during the day, I can't sing well anymore I have a slight scar in front of my neck

after cancer came back the following year - it can happen 30 % of cases. I had another surgery and now my voice is abit better than last time since I told the surgeon to clean up the scar tissue against my vocal chord. My last ultrasound showed no evidence of regrowth. Now I wait & see for the next ultrasound to check for regrowth = I've come to accept that cancer is a lifetime disease it can be cut out but it may not be gone forever.

Gilda's Club in Hackensack NJ saved me from myself. My first visit I cried for 45 minutes straight real sobbing - it came from down under - I surprised myself that it came up. Anyway once I saw how the counsellor listened throughout my weeping I knew I needed to be there throughout the whole experience. I had reoccurence so I went back again, whenever I felt the need. I donated money at the end of my need as a gift of gratitude.