How I See It: Reflections on spirituality, technology, and the art of everyday life

A note about my Treatment Posted mid-2009 I wanted to update you on how my treatment is going, but first I should review where things began. In April my health took a major turn for the worse. I developed extreme fatigue and partial paralysis on my right side. I saw both my endocrinologist and my neurologist. The neurologist believed I had advanced brain cancer, while my endocrinologist continued looking for a recurrence of my thyroid cancer. My thyroid hemoglobin (TG—thyroid autoimmune antibodies) count is elevated, indicating recurrence, but ultrasound, PET scan, and needle biopsy all failed to find it. The Thyroid Tumor Board at OHSU has recommended another round of radioactive iodine in hopes of eliminating it. That recommendation came before neurology’s latest test results were back. As for brain cancer, I’ve had about ten MRIs in three years, all clear. The spinal tap also showed no sign of cancer. For three years I’ve believed I might have a condition called Hashimoto’s...

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...

A post opp update Posted Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at 3:58 PM Well, Tuesday I had my surgery and now I’m well on the road to recovery. There were no major surprises—“everything seemed to go well,” according to the surgeon. I was rolled into the OR at 3:00 PM; by 7:00 PM my surgeon was updating my parents, and by 10:00 I was in my room. The staff seemed surprised at how well I did. They kept waking me to ask about pain, and I kept telling them I wasn’t in any. All I really wanted to do was sleep. Around 2:00 AM I woke up and asked for something to drink. I’d been told the most important thing was to get up and walk as soon as possible, so by 3:00 AM (12 hours after surgery started) I was walking the oncology corridors, listening to other patients’ screams. I don’t know whether to feel lucky I’m not that bad off—or worried that I could get that bad. Wednesday morning I had pancakes while I waited to see my surgeon. I was told to expect a two-night stay, but when the surgeon s...

Back to Knife Dear Friends, This morning I received a phone call from my Endo (Endocrinologist). He told me that the results of the MRI are back and that the growth is 1.2 x 10 mm. This is slightly larger than what can be treated with radiation alone, so I’ll (unless they change their minds again) be going under the knife — again. My Endo said, “We want to scrape out whatever we can before the radiation.” That doesn’t sound like fun to me. I have an appointment with my surgeon — the same one who did my last surgery — on Monday. He does good work (although he could use a personality transplant). Last time there was very little pain, and it healed well (see the pic). This week I also received my copy of the pathology report. This time it indicates that they found architecture of both papillary and follicular thyroid cancer. Last time it was only papillary cancer. Follicular is a much more aggressive strain. I asked my Endo about this, and he told me that I’m still considered to ...