Thursday, July 7, 2011

The Good Cancer: The Beginning

Thank you everyone for your well wishes.  By the grace of God, I am doing great. I didn't really want to talk about this because (in the beginning) it was too emotionally draining.  But I have been through treatment and everything is going amazing.  I thought it was important to share this part of my life with everyone in the hopes of helping others.  Another PSA (public service announcement) to all my blogger buddies.

Even saying the word cancer is scary to me.  However the reason i am entitling these entries The Good Cancer is because apparently if you are going to get any form of cancer, thyroid is the good one because it is usually treatable.

The beginning was when i went for a routine annual physical in November 2010.  My regular doctor was on maternity leave so i was seen by a new physician.  I liked her immediately because we were talking about weddings and how exciting married life is.  She had recently completed her wedding.  We had completed all regular check ups and she was checking around my neck.  After all, doctors do that all the time.  I had been to the doctors for a cold several months earlier and she checked my neck and said nothing.

But this physician (for whatever reason) checked my neck and noticed that "there was a nodule"on my thyroid.  Nodule is another word for lump.  She assured me that everyone has "nodules" on their thyroid and that "it is probably benign."  Of course i remembered the word "benign" from some course in school and was hopeful that the nodule is benign.  The physician suggested that i should get an ultrasound just to make sure that everything is fine.  And off i went (still in wedding planning mode) for the ultrasound.


I went in for my first  ultrasound ever.  For some reason, I thought that my first ultrasound would be when i was pregnant with Baby Pancakes.  Nevertheless, i went in for the ultrasound.  Several days later, i received a call from my doctor who informed me that "the nodule/lump looked suspicious" and she would like for me to see a ENT (Ear Nose Throat Specialist) for a FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) Biopsy. I know all these acronyms!

The FNA Biopsy is the most effective way to determine whether the nodule is indeed cancerous.  I remember asking my physician if i could wait for the appointment because i had so wedding related things to take care of.  I spoke with Mr. Pancakes and of course he said i should go and get the FNAB completed.

So off i went and completed the biopsy.  At the appointment, Dr. B, who i found to be a little too rough and not very engaging, placed a fine needle into my thyroid and extracted cells from my thyroid.  It felt like ten thousand little needles sucking stuff out of my neck, it hurt so bad! But i knew it was definitely needed for me to know the truth.  


I went home thinking that everything is going to be fine.  It was the end of January 2011 and i had a wedding to plan for April 23rd, 2011.  I mean why would i think that i have cancerous lumps in my thyroid?  
A few weeks ago, i didn't even really know where my thyroid was and here I was about to find out whether i had cancer or not.

To be Continued...what's the use of a thyroid anyway?

26 comments:

Jenn W. said...

Prayers!

Kim said...

Aww hun sorry to hear this. Your strength is amazing. I know this has to be hard to share with us but I know as well that it's good to talk about it. My prayers are with you. I'm glad it was discovered in time and I pray that all goes well. God bless you and may you never give up the fight because he's not done with you yet. Big hugs to you!

Faith said...

glad to hear that things are going well ... continuing to send you prayers! glad to read that you are staying positive which is an awesome thing when it would be an easy time to get down on yourself.

Anonymous said...

Praying for you!! Sounds like you have lots of good information and a positive attitude too.

Kandi-STYLE said...

Mrs.Pancakes,
I'm sending continuous prayers your way, your attitude and strength are amazing. I'm thanking him in advance for your blessings!!!

Take Care,
Kandis

CeCe said...

Glad you are doing well!! And thanks for sharing something so personal with us

Miesha Roshawn said...

I'm definitely keeping you in my prayers dear.

Cheryl Ann said...

wow - what a shocking diagnosis. lots of good thoughts and love your way!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing these details. You are in my prayers as well and I'm glad you are ok.

Anonymous said...

Stopping by from Try New Adventures.

I'm glad Mr. Pancakes made you go to the appt. A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor (he finished radiation last month, and is finishing up his chemo). He is only 31! Better to get everything checked out even if it sometimes seems like nothing. Thanks for sharing your story with us. Keeping you in my prayers.

About a Mom said...

Best of luck on your recovery! I am a new follower from the Bee Friendly Friday Hop! Please check out my new blog http://aboutamom.com :)

BECKS said...

Good luck with your treatment -- my best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. xx

I'm a new follower from the Weekend Hoppers blog hop.

Would love a follow back via the Blogger toolbar up the top of my site (Google Friend Connect's on the blink again):
http://becks-carrie.blogspot.com

xx
Becks

Susan said...

My neice was dx with thyroid cancer at 29 and had hers removed.

She's now 40 and going GREAT!!

My son has a brain tumor and as a result his thryoid doesn't work at all, he does great too.

You just take meds to replace it's work.

Praying for you...

Maxabella said...

Eeek, that's probably more than I ever needed to know about throats and big needles and stuff... but, oh, I am just hurting for you right now, Mrs P. I read your Part 1 just now too. Devastating.

Here for you in cyberspace. Keep talking. x

Unknown said...

I'm waiting for the next installment.... xx

shah said...

Thanks for linking up at
http://wordsinsync.blogspot.com/2011/07/all-new-weekend-creation-blog-hop-poem.html - I'm following !

Every-thing's crossed that you recover soon and for good. This is an excellent thing you're doing here - sharing your experience could help others who might need the information and to fell they're not alone.

Shah ;D - Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

Sorry you are going through this.New follower from SUPER MEGA blog hop. Would love if you can follow me back http://lifewithtwinsandadramaqueen.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I stopped by here from the hop...and will now be following you. I mean it when I say I will be thinking of you and sending you my happy thoughts and prayers. I am a two time Breast Cancer survivor and I actually know, truly know what it feels like to hear those words...you have cancer. I also am here to tell you that it has been 7 years now for me...clean and clear!!! Cancer is scary and sucks but, it can and WILL be beat!

I am here for you!!
melody
melody-mae.blogspot.com

Elizabeth Young said...

Barrie, Ontario, where I live, is only the second city in Canada to have a Gilda's Club. I support two of my friends that attend there, so am familiar with cancer and the lives of many others who attend there. I wish you all the encouragement, love and support in the world, and believe that prayer truly does make a difference. Thanks for sharing your journey here.

Claudya Martinez said...

Sending you love and thanking you for sharing your story.

Lexie Lane said...

Definitely sending prayers your way. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

I'm your newest follower from Coffee Talk Blog Hop!

Also, I wanted to tell you personally that I have a site that allows women to engage and really connect with each other. You won't find the same unpromising atmosphere that you normally do elsewhere. Our site allows you to gain INSTANT followers (yes, they really do follow, you'll see), INCREASE YOUR TRAFFIC, and have a chance to connect with some great women. The traffic we generate for our members is usually VERY good considering we're a fairly new site. In just 3 weeks after our relaunch, we've accumulated over 10,500 posts! Please come take a look and I guarantee you will be impressed with the results.

Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Lexie Lane
www.voiceboks.com

Style, Decor & More said...

Good luck and best wishes for a speedy recovery. So glad it is benign! My thoughts and prayers!

I'm a new follower from the blog hop. Following on GFC.
Hope you'll hop by and visit my blog too (when you feel up to it)!
Have a great weekend!
nancy
http://stylendecordeals.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

you are healing yourself and educating others by sharing your story. I am praying for a happy ending!

LV said...

Praying for you. Thank you for sharing this. You will help and touch lots of others by sharing your journey. It takes a lot of courage to be so open.

http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Just found you and will be a new prayer warrior for you.
Hello, I am a new follower from the Sunday Strolling Blog Hop. I would love it if you would visit my blog and follow me back at Valerie @ My-2-Cents

Thank you
Have a blessed week!

Unknown said...

Wishing you well, my prayers are with you!

I am your newest follower!
Please follow back, I would greatly appreciate it!
Quick Tattletails Blog Hop Directory
:)