Appt with Oncologist

July 30 was my post op appt from the I-131. I had the full body scan done 7/20/15 and I was able to get the results immediately through the St. Luke portal. It was the best case scenario which was a HUGE weight off our shoulders. It stated "Negative Whole Body I-131 Scan." This is kind of hard because it means the follicular cancer cells hadn't metastasized but the papillary cancer cells get measured by the thyroglobulin test that I will have for the rest of my life but I won't get to know those results for another 3 months. Which is fine. I have finally come to the conclusion that I will never really be cancer free as it only takes one cancer cell left to morph into something it shouldn't. Dr. Smith told me I won't have to have body scans every year unless my thyroglobulin levels ever go up. So again, it's just something I'll be tested for every 3-6 months for life. It's just a blood test which makes that easy. 

They did run my blood and my TSH is still over 20. So they are increasing my medication (T4) to suppress that even more. I also asked to take the T3 med because I've read it helps with the energy. Even though I am getting stronger I still don't have a lot of energy. It still takes everything I can to get through my day. He said that they usually don't combine the two but that through all his years he's found it does help. I am pretty thankful for a Dr. who listens and is willing to help. I also asked to have my Vit. D checked and it was low as well. So I will start OTC vitamins to help with that. 

I've recovered well from the I-131 other than I am still a little achy and I haven't been able to taste anything for about a week since I took the radioactive iodine. No salt, no chocolate, nothing. It all taste like cardboard. It's really weird and so I've been watching what and how much I eat because eating isn't as enjoyable when you can't taste food. 

That is pretty much it for the update. I will have my blood run in another month to have my TSH checked again, then I go back to Dr Smith in 3 months for my thyroglobulin levels to be checked. Until then, I live each day the best I can. I am looking forward to the rest of the summer and I can't wait until Fall. 

Pictures from the day I went back to the Oncologist. Curtis took work off to come with me and he was able to do Lily's immunotherapy shot with me which was sooooo nice. She does better when he's around!