The Good Cancer: The Happy Beginning

My surgery was scheduled for 6.3.2011, a little over a month after Mr. Pancakes and i were married.  The entire time leading up to the surgery, i was anxious. I was anxious for the surgery to be completed so Mr. Pancakes and i can really live our lives as newlyweds.  The anticipation for the surgery date was ridiculous.

Night before surgery, Mr. Pancakes and I hung out at the house with my family just relaxing and taking it easy.  We did take a break to pray with our pastor, which was so helpful.  I cried but it was more out of relief that the surgery date was approaching and i knew that everything was going to be ok.

Day of surgery, we arrived at the hospital too early for me.  But nonetheless, we got there, checked in, got into the oh so ever beautiful hospital gown under my bathroom and waited for my name to be called.  I prayed in the bathroom with my mom (over the phone) and i felt comforted before the surgery.  Mr. Pancakes gave me a big hug and kiss.  After this, i was called into the back room, met briefly with a nurse, completed last minute check-ins.  As i was meeting with the nurse, Dr. W (my surgeon) came in, marked me and assured me "everything will be fine."

I met with the anesthesiologiest, who asked brief questions about any allergies?  I said no.  As i waited, i was given a clothe to cover my legs to keep warm.  There was a lady sitting across from me and i smiled at her.  With my eyes i wished her "well" during her surgery.  The nurse came to get me into the surgery room. 

I noticed the machines and contraptions but i think i was definitely overwhelmed with the situation.  This was after all, the first time i was having surgery (of any kind).

The nurse helped me on the bed.  The anesthesiologist came to myself.  The nurse advised me to relax.  I felt the anesthesiologist prick me with a needle.  And i was itchy all over my body especially around my belly button region.  I remember the nurse asking "are you ok?" Dr. W telling someone his car got a ticket--i know--fortunately i didn't have time to panic about my surgeon making such casual conversation before such an important surgery because i was out in a flash.

When i came to, the nurse was asking me if i can hear her.  I was a little woozy so i couldn't respond but i think i felt ok.  The surgeon came by and said "the surgery went well, everything looks good."  I was glad to hear this.  I was then wheeled into my hospital room.  I remember the nurse saying "do you recognize this lady?" then i heard Mr. Pancakes say, "yes."

When i came to in the hospital room, my neck was bandaged, i had a tube to drain some blood from my neck to measure my calcium levels.  Due to where the thyroid is located, it impacts on calcium development. 

I was also put on IV.  I was in the hospital for two days because they wanted to make sure that all the levels in my body was normal including calcium. 

During the first two days, i was in pain and took several Tylenol 3s.  It was difficult to move my head, eat, talk, go to the bathroom and sleep.  However, i was feeling great.  Dr. W and my Endocrinologist  came to visit me.  Both assured me everything looked good.  On 6.5.11, i was allowed to go home. 

For the next three weeks, i rested and had several calcium levels checked.  I was able to talk and eat without any issues.  It was still difficult to sleep due to my neck hurting but i managed.  Overall, everyday was better than the last.   I have been taking my synthroid medication every morning at 6:30am (breakfast follows several hours later) and so far, everything has been going well.

Almost a month later, i received the pathology tests and it confirmed that i had thyroid cancer.  However, since it was so small and had not spread, i didn't require radioiodione therapy.   I would need to attend follow-ups every three months for a year.  Continue to take my syn-thyroid medication everyday.  This was such great news, i felt fantastic and again i felt completely blessed!

I returned to work almost a month after my surgery.  Mr. Pancakes and i decided i should take the time off to rest and just heal.  My neck was not hurting as much.  The scar would take a while to heal completely but thanks to my complexion, you can hardly tell unless you are staring real hard!

Since i have to live without my thyroid and be on hormone replacement therapy for the rest of my life, it is not really the end of my story.  But the beginning.  A happy beginning.  A life without cancerous cells running around my throat and or possibly body.  Everyday, i feel much stronger and better.  I cannot wait to work out again:-) I decided to take it real easy.

In the end, the good thing about thyroid cancer (in my experience) was that God was good to me.