Thyroid Cancer/Hypothyroidism

Life is not measure by the breaths we take, but rather by the moments that take our breath away.

     This has always been my favorite quote. It was the very first thing I thought as I held my grandson 15 minutes after his birth. That day changed my life forever. I also believe my grandchildren have saved my life more than a few times since my health began to fail and I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. I write a lot here about my emotions, but today I would like to speak about how Thyroid Cancer has physically affected my life, and talk a little about how serious and complicated a disease it is. It is certainly not the "piece of cake" I was lead to believe it would be.
     I would like to begin by saying it is considered "the good cancer" because it has such a high survival rate. What doctors fail to tell you is all the things that could go wrong, as well as that is requires care FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
     So this is what has happened to my body since February. Of course a great fear overwhelmed me because it was "cancer" and acceptance took a while. So I had to prepare for surgery on May 6th when they took my entire thyroid out, as well 8 lymphs. The prognosis was good, but wait...... first complication. I fell into hypothyroidism so quickly that after only 5 days I was told treatment would have to be postponed and I was to go back on meds immediately. So the summer has been spent having blood taken, Drs. appts. and waiting. In mid July I was taken off the sythroid in order to prepare for treatment. By treatment I mean Radioactive Iodine Treatment, something most people have within 6 weeks of surgery. I have of course had all of these emotion issues which seem to be semi-controlled by medication. Now because of being hypothyroid I feel my body is failing me. It started out as lack of energy and leg pains and cramps. While moving, I really pushed my body beyond it's limits, which led to dizziness, stumbling, unsteadiness, loss of concentration, and some days an absolute inability to stay awake. All this has lead to several falls. On my last fall, I sprained my ankle quite severely, and sprained my wrist and they thought my thumb was broken, but it is not. My ankle is bruised from my toes, half way up my calf, all around.
     I am no longer able to drive. Of course the ankle pain, but my reflexes are slow and I find myself drifting or making slow decisions. Sometimes I sleep for 12-14 hours a day. Somedays I slur my words and sound drunk. My heartrate is low, between 50-60 bpm and my core body temperature cannot rise above 96.8. Any small task can cause me to run out of breath, or feel as if I may pass out. Even as simple as sweeping the floor. I will know soon if my body is ready for my RAI but that whole process takes takes 3-4 weeks, and I must stay off my meds during the whole process.
     This is what I have ahead of me. First a two week low iodine diet in which there very little I am able to eat. The idea behind this is the less iodine you have in your system, the more of the radioactive iodine you can absorb. After that I will go to the Nuclear Med Dept for a shot to prepare for a whole body scan. The next day I go back and they will determine if any thyroid tissue or cancer has spread anywhere else. If I am lucky, the will decide that day my RAI dose and give it to me that day. Then I must stay at least 10  feet from all family members for 4 days and children and pets for 7. If I pee, I must flush twice and wipe the seat. My clothing and bedding must not be washed with anyone elses. I must use throw away plates cups and silverware. Any magazine or books I read must be thrown out when finished. My body will actually be radioactive to others. Afterward, they will do another scan to make sure it is all gone. If so, then I can go back onto synthroid, but it will take time to get the dose just right. After that I should begin to feel better, but will have to be monitored for the rest of my life. Many people have gone through this. As long as I can get through the next 30 days, it will not kill me. I am in the dangerous stage now. But I do look forward to my future, despite my occasion rantings and breakdowns.
     It is getting more difficult to speak as well, my voice is very raspy and tires easily. I have pain and cramps almost constantly in my legs and hips, I have trouble making decisions. These are the things I ask that you pray for that will go away after treatment when I am back on meds. Thank you for letting me tell my story, it is so healing to get it out, purge if you will.