And the results are in ...

It's been a CRAZY two months.  From being diagnosed with thyroid cancer one day, to meeting the surgeon the very next day, to having powerful IV therapy for three weeks and surgery one month later, then Thyrogen shots and radioactive iodine ablation a month after that (WHEW!) ... and finally a scan to determine if the cancer is gone and/or has spread, the results came back this last week on Friday.

It is with the biggest smile that I can report some GREAT ... no FANTASTIC news!!!  The small amount of thyroid tissue that was left over after surgery (which is normal, it's almost impossible to get all the tissue out at time of surgery.  What is leftover is scant in amount) will be fully ablated (gone) within 4 months ... and even better news is that the cancer cells did not spread anywhere else that we weren't aware of and that has been removed!!!!  What a huge relief this is.  I cried a huge sigh of relief when I got the news and it made for such a stress-free weekend, celebrated by my brother in-law's wedding in Minnesota surrounded by family and seeing some long-time friends over lunch.

I'll keep this blog short, but wanted to share the awesome news we received and thank everyone from near and far for the love, support an ongoing encouragement we've received. I truly believe everything happens for a reason ... I don't know exactly why this happened, but I do know that I am stronger for it, my relationship with my husband is even stronger, my confidence in my healthcare team has grown beyond that of just my Pulmonologist and I know that I/we can face challenges thrown our way with grace and a huge fighting spirit. Of course, I couldn't do any of this without the support of so many.

So, as you sit down to dinner with your loved ones or you're watching football .. or whatever you might be doing, know that I am thanking you for every little bit of love I received.  I am also thanking a bigger power than oneself, that I have been so carefully watched over the past 2 months. There were so many variables and it ultimately it turned out the best way it could. So, cheers my friends and remember whatever you might be going through, to "Fight On"!!!

Rebs

Fight On.

Yesterday marked 2 weeks post surgery.  On one hand I feel like it's been a month, and the other I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks.  The saying above is my moto these days, "Fight On".  We're so relieved to have surgery in the rearview mirror and I can't thank those of you near and far who reached out and sent well wishes, goodies, called, texted ... you name it, it got me through a few rough days/weeks. 

Surgery was a huge success.  They were able to complete the surgery without intubating me, and just giving me heavy sedation.  Let me tell you, sedated I was!  I was wheeled into the OR, hooked up to the machines, moved to the operating table and the anesthesiologist told me he was going to give me something to relax me.  I then had about 15 doctors, nurses, etc all standing around the table watching me... and waiting for me to get silly.  After about 15-30mins, I was then told that they were going to give me the Precedex (main sedating drug).  I looked at the clock and it was 8:19am.  I said a little prayer that I would wake up without complications, and see my family.  The next thing I knew, I woke up at 10:24am to everyone cheering, saying "We're all done, you did great"!!  With my face half numb and in a stupor, I tried to cry but couldn't and "mouthed" (because I had no voice), "Yes, let's get a picture!!".  With a generous laugh from everyone, they snapped a picture of me with these two wonderful doctors.  Don't mind me, this was literally about 2 minutes after waking up!  

Dr. Suliburk (surgeon, Left), Dr. Kim (anesthesioogist, Right)

They removed my entire thyroid and removed/tested a suspicious lymph node during surgery.  The rapid test of the lymph node showed it too was malignant, so I had a whole slew of lymph nodes on my left neck removed as well.  Pathology results came in from that and I did have a few more positive (malignant) lymph nodes.  The doctors didn't seem too concerned with those results, so I am trusting them that they got everything they needed to out!

Below are a few pics of my removed thyroid, beware: graphic.  You can see the picture labeled "LLT" looks different than that labeled "RLT".  The "LLT" was the side that contained the cancer.  Amazing, the difference!

Healthy Thyroid tissue - RIGHT

Malignant thyroid tissue-LEFT

After surgery, I was then taken to the ICU where I spent the next 48hrs.  I had no voice for about 24 hrs, which if you've never experience actually having absolutely NO voice, it's so frustrating! The doctors and nurses would come ask me how I was, if I needed anything ... and I couldn't communicate.  I was in a fair amount of pain as well, so they ended up giving me a pain pump so that I would have a continuous infusion to manage the pain better.  That helped tremendously, as I needed to cough but it hurt like hell, b/c I use those muscles in my neck to cough.  After a couple rough nights dealing with pain and no sleep (thank god for my angel of a husband and mother who stayed with me those rough nights) I was happy to be discharged home.  It's now been 2 weeks, I've been able to get back to the gym and my energy/strength are slowly returning.  My neck is loosening up, the incision is healing and the pain is minimal.

1 wk post op

2wks, 1 day post op

Here are a few pics of the incision at 1 week post op and 2 weeks, 1 day post op.

Now that the hard part is over hopefully, we proceed with further treatment.  I have started on thyroid medication, since I have no thyroid.  I started on what is called a T3 medication, but will switch to a T4 starting tomorrow. I'm hopeful that this is an easy transition with minimal side effects.  I will start what is called "Radioactive Iodine Ablation Therapy".  This will consist of getting a few shots in my bum to simulate a hormone called TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).  In order for the thyroid cells to uptake the radioactive iodine needed for ablation, I need to have an increased level of "TSH".  I will be given a dose of radiation in the form of a capsule or liquid and that dose of radiation will target and kill any remaining thyroid cells (cancerous or not).  I will then have a scan after the shots and radiation pill to see if the cancer is gone.  This scan will also show if the cancer is anywhere else in my body.  This process will take about a week.  Assuming all goes well with that, we will then do some bloodwork and scans in about 6 months to see if we are "all clear".  I will continue to have scans and bloodwork about every 6 months until the doc feels comfortable that I can go longer between scans.  She is being extra cautious because of the positive lymph nodes and my fragile lung situation.

So, all in all, this bump in the road is jumped and I can't begin to say how relieved I am.  Obviously we still have some hurdles to jump, and we will do so as gracefully as we can.  Thank you all for all of your love and support for me, my husband and my family!!  I will do my best to keep this blog updated as we move on.  As for now, "Fight On" my friends!!

Love - Rebs