Life Throws You Lemons...

I've decided to change this blog into a different blog all together, not that I've had any readers prior to this, but since then, I've gone through major changes.

I've officially been diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer today. Just 1 hour ago.

So I would like to dedicate this blog to my experience with this disease and all issues I feel/deal with due to this and hopefully provide insight to those in search of information that I have been searching for, as I know I had many questions and concerns...

So lets start at the beginning, shall we?

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It was a random Tuesday, 3/16 to be exact. I was at work, taking a break and went to get some water. At the cooler, I looked in the mirror and was rubbing my neck when I came across a bump right smack in the center front. I've had several swollen lymph nodes in my day, so I just brushed it off as another swelling. It was weird, harder than usual, smaller, but eh, it's all the same thing, right?

Few days pass, and it's still there. It's not getting any bigger, but it's not getting smaller either. I start researching but soon learn that I don't have lymph nodes in the front lower center of my neck. That's my thyroid. Uh oh. My sister had both Hypo and Hyperthyroidism and it ain't pretty. I research and research and learn that goiters and nodules are common. Yay! It means it isn't unusual and probably nothing to concern myself. Hooray!

But more days pass and still this goiter/nodule isn't going away. By now I am worried. I call my primary care physician and ask her for a prescription for an ultrasound. Because I smoke, she also said then to get a chest xray. Ok fine. I've been pushing it but ok. Whatever.

I made an appointment and finally got in 4/3 at 11:30. Ok.

My ultrasound tech was the crankiest, bitchiest woman ever and I feel for anyone who had her do the ultrasound.
After the ultrasound was done, I asked what was going on (even though I know she can't tell me, I'm worried) and she snaps back "Call your doctor."
Anyway, at this point, I knew something was up.

Come Monday, 4/5, I get a call from my PCP saying she got my ultrasound results and I need to come in and do a blood test right away. I freaked. I panicked. I ran out of my office crying frantically and went to get my blood test. At the doctors office, my PCP tried to calm me but I knew. I did enough research in the last few weeks enough to know that what I had was serious.

These websites say how thyroid cancer is rare, etc etc but it was all BS to me. I had it. It wasn't rare. People kept telling me not to jump into conclusions.

For those that know me, I don't ever think something is wrong with me. But this time, I just knew. My body told me something isn't right. And good thing I listened. My PCP gave me a few Endocrinologist numbers and told me to make an appointment.

I got my blood test results a few days later, 4/8 I think. My hormone levels were normal meaning it rules out Hypo and Hyperthyroidism. Shit! No traces of cancer cells but antibody count was high. My doctor said this could mean I could have cancer but it won't show because my antibody count was high. I knew I was in for it.

I've done plenty of research by now and called MANY doctors but none would do a biopsy right away. "We have to have a consult first to see if you really NEED a biopsy". Really? Really need one? Because I just want to get stabbed in the neck just for fun? Because the nodule on my thyroid is just going to disappear on its own?

I finally got in touch with a surgeon who specializes in thyroid cancers who was willing to do a biopsy the day I came in for an appointment. SOLD! So on 4/21 at 11:30, I finally get an answer.