As I wrote in Good luck and cancer, I posted a series of updates on Facebook, documenting my whirlwind encounter with cancer. I’ve collected them here, just for simplicity’s sake.
Thursday, March 18, 2021
So I have a lump in my throat. I don’t mean that metaphorically — I’m not sad. I mean there’s a mass — probably a non-malignant cyst — in my neck.
I’m waiting to figure out how insurance will handle ordering the ultrasound the doctor ordered. An annoying delay — but I’m grateful to have good insurance, grateful that I don’t have to choose between bankruptcy-inducing medical bills or sitting on my hands and hoping it just goes away.
We need to get universal healthcare done.
Friday, March 19, 2021
Lump update: Earliest I could get the ultrasound is early morning Wednesday (same day as shot #2… Busy health day!) Doctor said the wait is fine (though Tom Petty knows better).
Further lumpdates when there’s something new to report.
Wednesday, March 24, 2021
Lumpdate: ultrasound complete. My doctor should have the results tomorrow.
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Lumpdate: I have a nodule on my thyroid. Next step: a dance between my health insurance company and the hospital in preparation for scheduling a biopsy. More waiting!
Friday, March 26, 2021
Lumpdate: “Ultrasound-guided needle biopsy” (sounds fun, eh?) scheduled for Monday noon. Then 4-5 days for the doctor to get results.
Just so everyone knows: I’m not freaking out. This type of thing is rarely cancerous. And, as a general rule, I’m pretty good at not worrying about a thing until I know more. My Tom Petty joke was (mostly) a joke. 🙂
Monday, March 29, 2021
Lumpdate: Tissue samples extracted and sent off to the lab. The last set of jabs hurt a bit, but nothing terrible.
The nurses, doctor, radiologist, and pathologist were all very nice, even fun — I would happily join them for a happy hour.
I probably won’t have anything more to report until next Wednesday, when I have an appointment with my doctor to go over the results. More info then!
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Lumpdate: Alas, the biopsy detected cancerous cells. Doctor says it’s common, easily treated, esp. since we seem to have caught it early. Referral to a doctor through Davis. I’ll call Friday to verify they take my insurance. If so, I’ll set up the appointment then. If not, there’s a plan B.
Fun times!
Friday, April 9, 2021
Lumpdate: The referred doctor does indeed accept my insurance, so Plan A is in play. First appointment has been set for April 21. Unless something unexpected comes up, I’ll update again once I’ve had that meeting.
I’m not too worried, at this point. I believe that this is mainly because I don’t know much yet — but that hasn’t stopped me worrying before, so I guess I’m not really sure why I’m as laid-back as I am. I’ll take it, though…
I appreciate everyone’s support. And I’ll let all y’all know when I learn anything.
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Lumpdate: I met with the ear-nose-throat/oncologist/surgeon today. And since surgery is in my future, I submitted to a handful of pre-op procedures: blood work, EKG, and chest x-rays.
The lump is dead center on the thyroid, so the plan is to take out the whole thyroid. There’s a small chance that the nodule is insulated enough from the thyroid that they could take out just the nodule; that would be a pleasant surprise, since they’d be able to leave the thyroid and I wouldn’t have to go onto thyroid meds for the rest of my life. But it is, alas, unlikely.
Unless they discover something to suggest the cancer has spread from the nodule (unlikely), I shouldn’t need any additional treatment.
Next step: the scheduler person will call me to set up dates for the surgery and post-op appointments. I’m hoping to get it set for after school is out — thyroid cancer is very, very slow — but we’ll see.
More info (most likely surgery dates) when I have it.
Monday, May 3, 2021
Lumpdate: Surgery scheduled for June 7. I’ll learn what time I need to arrive (as early as … groan … 5:30 am) a couple days before that.
Glad it’s after my school’s out, though I just noticed my kids will still be in their last week. Logistics!
Unless something weird comes up, the next lumpdate will likely be after surgery, after my head has had time to clear.
Monday, June 7, 2021
Lumpdate: The doctor called in with the flu, and there’s no one to cover for her. The surgery has been postponed. Next step: wait for the scheduler to call and reschedule.
At least they got me before I left the house.
[Follow-up post:]
In celebration of that fact that I no longer need to fast, I am making farm-fresh eggs, hash browns, and toast.
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Lumpdate: Surgery rescheduled for next Wednesday (6/16).
I finally remembered to ask about recovery. It looks pretty tame. There will be some stitches and glue and a pain med prescription just in case, and I’m not to lift heavy things for a few days. I’ll start the thyroid med, too. Aside from that, I should be pretty close to normal the next day. And I should be able to eat whatever I want, no problem.
Anyway, affirming what [a friend] told me: if I were forced to choose a cancer, this would be the one to choose. As is true about much of my life, I have been fortunate.
Monday, June 14, 2021
Lumpdate: Surgery is scheduled for late afternoon on Wednesday. As I mentioned before, I’m likely stuck there overnight. I’ll try to post as soon as I’m coherent on Thursday.
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Lumpdate: On the way. They’re ahead of schedule.
Radio silence until I’m home and coherent, probably tomorrow afternoon.
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Lumpdate (probably the last!): The surgery went as expected, which is to say that they took out the whole thyroid, and no unpleasant surprises. I have a follow-up appointment in a week, and I get to take a medication every day for the rest of my life. Aside from that, this episode comes to a close.
I’m doing fine. Pretty groggy, both from recovering from anaesthesia and not sleeping well. The incision is sore to touch, but not bad at all. The only real pain comes from the intubation: my throat feels like I have strep when I swallow liquids (I didn’t remember how much I swallow just in the course of the day!) That said, it only hurts a tiny bit when I swallow food. They gave me a Rx for oxycodone, but Tylenol has been doing fine.
Thank all y’all for your support. It was a pretty mellow ride, given the fact that it included cancer and surgery. As with much of my life, I have been fortunate, even in misfortune.