As they told me, thyroid cancer is the the gentle cancer. I had rectal cancer first stage 2. Then on my first physical following my epic battle they found bumps on my thryroid. Turned out that I had stage 3 thyroid cancer. Had a very "ungentle" operation to remove thyroid and lymph nodes in my right neck where they found 7/36 malignant. I was told that these cancers are extremely slow growing and 99% curable. Actually, I waited almost 4 minths before I got the surgery. Drove me crazy waiting. Based on what I was told and read, the article is probably correct. But with my lousy genes, I wasn't about to live with it.
Unusually for stage 3 or below thyroid cancer, the oncologist isn't even involved. I met with mine anyways and he was very reassuring.
As for loving thyroid-less, I've tolerated the medical aspects of it very well. No big issues keeping the thyroid replacement levels correct. At least for the past 6 months.
And of course there the complications of surgery to worry about, vocal cord damage, swallowing problems, nerve damage, etc. I was fortunate to have an extremely talented surgeon who took almost 7 hours to clean up the problems. Besides the unrelenting pain for 4 weeks post op as well as numbness that is still resolving itself, I'm doing quite well. Back to work, etc.
Your are right to be scared. I was totally freaked out. And at times I'm not sure there was enough lorezepam in the world to help with my anxiety. But I made it and so can you, no matter what oath you take.
Best wishes
