Here we go again. AGAIN!!!

Posted Monday, January 5, 2009 at 6:34 PM

My Endocrinologist (thyroid cancer is treated by endocrinologists, not oncologists) called me today. The results of the total body scan are back. The cancer they just removed was on the right side of my neck. Unfortunately, they’ve now found cancer on the left side of my neck—and worse, in my thyroid bed. They’re still deciding what to do next. Hopefully (though not likely) the radiation will take care of it—though this test was supposed to confirm that it already had.

The good news is there’s no sign of cancer anywhere else (though I’ve heard that before). As long as it’s confined to the neck, there’s a good chance of surviving.

The biggest concern is the recurrence in the thyroid bed, since I’ve already had surgery there. The main risk of the first surgery was damage to the nerves controlling my vocal cords. This time, the staples left behind make it very likely I could lose the ability to speak. I love it—a dyslexic, dysgraphic who can’t speak. Looks like I really will need a BlackBerry after all. The surgeon said she wanted to clean out the bed during this last surgery but felt it was too dangerous.

My Endo says she’ll call me in a few days to discuss what they’re thinking. I doubt anything will happen soon anyway—I’m too weak for more surgery right now.

Thanks for the support. I’ll keep you updated.

Odell

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