I don't know if anyone still reads this blog. I try to keep everything updated on facebook and instagram but if you don't follow me there then I will go ahead and give an update.
In October I felt a new lymph node on the right side of my neck. It was right after my flu shot so I was hopeful it was just my body reacting to that. However, my Oncologist had told me to get right in if something popped up. Dr. Smith was out of the office so I got in immediately with Dr. Mayes (ENT) He felt around and said, "this is very concerning." He ordered a CT scan and a biopsy. We did the CT scan that week and it was pretty apparent that it was more than just a reactive lymph node.
I talked with Mayes and we decided to bag the biopsy. It would just be one more thing to do that didn't need to be done. We needed to go straight to surgery. We were originally going to do the surgery November 20 because I had a week off for Thanksgiving. Curtis' work insurance gave us one week notice that they were changing his insurance Nov. 1 so we played it safe and went ahead and did the surgery on Oct. 30. Looking back, I am SOOOOOOO glad that I did it sooner. Especially because now I get to enjoy Thanksgiving!
This surgery ended up being a 3 for 1. He took out the lymph node on the right side of my neck where my original scar was. He then cut out my scar and fixed it since I had keloided. And because I am a glutton for punishment, I got my tonsils out as well. I get tonsils stones and they are gross, make my breath smell, and taste bad. So we did that. It was by far the worst pain compared to the scar and nodule.
Biopsy came back and it was confirmed cancer. We also tested my thyroglobulin level which should have been a simple test to tell if we got the cancer. The results came back at 1. Normal is 1.6-55. When I had the cancer it was 1,095. So based on my # I was expecting amazing news when I met with my Oncologist last Friday. That wasn't the case. He burst my bubble. Obviously my long term prognosis is still good however, 2 things I learned that I wasn't expecting. First, my simple blood test could no longer be accurate because of my antibodies in my body. So now the only way we can be sure the cancer won't metastasize to my body is by doing body scans. Who knows, maybe someday this will be a blessing in disguise in case I ever get a different kind of cancer.
The other thing was that he said lymph nodes can keep popping up at anytime in my neck. I asked what that means?! He said surgery every time. That was heavy to accept.
Now that I posted all the updates I want to end with a positive note. I am so thankful for a lot of things that have happened to me this year. I am thankful that my cancer has taught me so many things and that I feel like I respect my life, my children, my husband so much more because of this year. I am thankful my tonsils are out! I am thankful for the love and support so many have offered me. My battle may never be over but I've finally accepted that. I can do hard things and I am beyond grateful that I am alive and well.
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