FAQ Part 2:
Yes, I will have a cool scar on my neck! (But not as cool as the scar my friend Angie has on the back of her head and neck from her 2 recent brain surgeries--but that is another blog).
Thursday, April 30, 2009
FAQs
Frequently asked questions:
1. What is the prognosis? A: If you have to have a cancer, this is one of the best types to get! Depending on what you read, 93 - 99% of people survive this. (I personally believe in the 99% statistic!) Besides, my doctor has been treating this for 16 years and he has never had a patient die from it. I specifically told him that there is NOT a first time for everything!
2. What is the treatment? A: Surgery. On May 15th, I will have my thyroid removed. This means I will need to be on thyroid meds for the rest of my life. I will most likely be in the hospital for a day or two. (My co-worker who had the exact same thing was back to work on day 3.)
Sometime after that, I will have radioactive iodine treatment. I will need to stay away from people for about 3 days, but since only thyroid tissue takes up iodine, any remaining tumor will be detroyed. During this period, I am temporarily changing my name to "Chernobyl."
3. How do you feel? A: I love this question! This "Thing" (the name I've given the tumor) didn't pop up overnight. It has probably been there for years, so I physically feel exactly the same as I have for all that time. Now that I know it has taken up residence in my thyroid, I am EVICTING IT. The papers have been served and the THING is leaving on May 15th!!!! Emotionally I have my ups and downs, but as long as I am surrounded in prayer, I'll be fine! (It is probably a better question to ask Mike how he is able to tolerate me--I always knew he was a saint!)
4. What are your rules for us? A: NO PITY PARTIES ALLOWED! Occasionally, I will give myself a brief pity party, but I will let you know if you need to participate! Actually, pissy-parties, where I get really pissed-off at the whole situation are more common. Anyone caught having an unauthorized pity party will get punched in the nose!!! (But, I know a good otolaryngologist if you need to have your nose fixed...)
5. Any more tips? A: Don't behave any differently towards me...I'll let you know if I don't want to talk about it...ask questions! Be forwarned that I will probably bore you with the more mundane details of my "normal" life.
1. What is the prognosis? A: If you have to have a cancer, this is one of the best types to get! Depending on what you read, 93 - 99% of people survive this. (I personally believe in the 99% statistic!) Besides, my doctor has been treating this for 16 years and he has never had a patient die from it. I specifically told him that there is NOT a first time for everything!
2. What is the treatment? A: Surgery. On May 15th, I will have my thyroid removed. This means I will need to be on thyroid meds for the rest of my life. I will most likely be in the hospital for a day or two. (My co-worker who had the exact same thing was back to work on day 3.)
Sometime after that, I will have radioactive iodine treatment. I will need to stay away from people for about 3 days, but since only thyroid tissue takes up iodine, any remaining tumor will be detroyed. During this period, I am temporarily changing my name to "Chernobyl."
3. How do you feel? A: I love this question! This "Thing" (the name I've given the tumor) didn't pop up overnight. It has probably been there for years, so I physically feel exactly the same as I have for all that time. Now that I know it has taken up residence in my thyroid, I am EVICTING IT. The papers have been served and the THING is leaving on May 15th!!!! Emotionally I have my ups and downs, but as long as I am surrounded in prayer, I'll be fine! (It is probably a better question to ask Mike how he is able to tolerate me--I always knew he was a saint!)
4. What are your rules for us? A: NO PITY PARTIES ALLOWED! Occasionally, I will give myself a brief pity party, but I will let you know if you need to participate! Actually, pissy-parties, where I get really pissed-off at the whole situation are more common. Anyone caught having an unauthorized pity party will get punched in the nose!!! (But, I know a good otolaryngologist if you need to have your nose fixed...)
5. Any more tips? A: Don't behave any differently towards me...I'll let you know if I don't want to talk about it...ask questions! Be forwarned that I will probably bore you with the more mundane details of my "normal" life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
