Barbara Greses whom I met at Dr. C's office while taking my injections touched and inspired me immediately. She has been on her Thyroid surgery recovery journey for 3 years now and she is so full of hope and inspiration... I just have to say thank you for saying the very things that I needed to hear.  She is so greatful that our Doctor listened to her to know what was going on and not just dismiss her like all the others.  Like me she has started a blog while she work though it all.

Hello everyone, I decided we all needed a break from the issues of Thyroid Cancer. As I had promised, I used this break to spend time healing and nourishing my body on many levels. The holidays were so good to me. Spent Christmas weekend with my beautiful daughter, and  a Son in Law  that I refer to as "the hunk" and his sweet mother that was in from Florida.  New Years was quite and enjoyable too. The month of February my wonderful husband had done so much to pamper and make sure that I know just how much I mean to him. We now have an additional ceramic  birdbath  pictured above and took me camping a couple of weekends ago. I have to say that I am a spoiled princess and love every minute of it.
 Last Tuesday was my return visit to the surgeon with the extra blessing of an ultra sound which revealed that the Radioactive Iodine didn't kill all of the cancerous tissue like they/we had hoped.  I knew back when they did the scan that it hadn't eradicated all of it then but their encouragement of  wishful thinking that maybe some of it would just be slow in dying off, HUH.  So the ultra sound revealed that there are some additional lymph nodes that are suspicious  and the cancer has  spread to them. The official report from the radiologist should be back late this week hopefully. The surgeon looked at me and, asked if I understood and I said yes. So when I asked what the next  step would be, he said once I get the report back I will send it to your endo Dr. stat for her review and we will have a phone consultation. He said that there protocols again that would net to be followed and  a certain amount of time between  treatments and any other course of action they may want to follow. So it may not be a fast process. He also said "You are taking this well and try not to totally freak out it just yet, even though all indications are such that you would have the right to be  freaked out about it. "   Having been though Graves disease and thyroid removal and having  his cancer reoccur gives me tons of confidence that everything will turn out ok.  He really does understand what his patients are going though and understand the emotions when news like this told to someone.  He has a very positive attitude about his journey so I would have no reason to not to the same.  I will see the endo doctor at the end of March and hope to be able to share what is in store for me next.
After I left the Surgeons office I returned to work...I was a bit teary eyed mainly from disappointment that I wasn't' going to be able to  Blog about a more positive result from this appointment. Faith and hope are powerful fear fighters.  However I did get over my disappointment pretty quickly and reminded myself that there is still  some options and I am looking into all of them.  In the mean time back to more reading and researching on additional nutrition geared for the lymphatic system. 
One thing that I have been very pleased to be able to share with you is that I am seeing more and more information and stories of  team work between Doctors and complementary  alternative treatments and the acceptance of them.

Last week I went and had my hair cut shorter than normal. Why you may ask!  Well a chunk of the back broke off from being so brittle after the radation treatment. One of my goals through this journey, was/is to accept changes with grace and even graditude. So off with length. She cut it in a way that allows me to have "big Texas Hair, even with a shorter length and  when I want it. So I am having fun with it and learning that it is actually much easier to take care of it at this length.
I was so glad to return to work, even with the continued exhaustion, each day gets better. I am reminded on several levels that I need to pace myself. So I have been just focusing on one task at a time seems to be working well for me. "Focus" is a big word through this mess. For so long the ongoing "fog" of memory issues has been one of the biggest issues for over a year. However, I do think the fog is finally lifting and memory issues are resolving themselves on some levels.
Looking forward to getting back into some type of routine and with the holidays coming up... pacing myself will be more important than ever. So I will accept my limitations this season  and be pleased with what I do get done. Think I just might start taking pictures again next week.

 I have such compassion for people that have had to wait longer than me to get answers to health issues. Over the years I have often prayed for patience and my thyroid journey has been just that. 

This week has been dotted with little projects that I have put off but finally got them done. The biggy project was that I was able to get my medical power of attorney completed and witnessed.

Then I worked up an excel sheet from here to the end of the year for a budget of us so that I can keep up with my payment plans for my additional out of pocket expenses over the 70% after the surgery.

Then found out what time I am to be there etc. I will arrive at 11:00 am and scheduled for a 1pm surgery.

This has allowed me to have a game plan for next week prior to the stay. Hubby doesn’t know it yet but we will go grocery shopping Thursday night to get the soft foods and his kind of comfort foods too. I am usually pretty strict on what we eat… so I know he will enjoy his freedom that weekend.

As dorky as this may sound… I will be so glad when this time next week gets here so I can start recovery and being able to plan things again.

My husband has a favorite saying: "it's a Monday" meaning
anything from left field came his way that day. Well I had one of those “It’s a Monday"
days today. About 9:15 this morning the scheduler from the Surgeons office said
"we need to reschedule your surgery. I found myself saying "what, really, why"  for real!"
 I understand Dr's are entitled to have a life too, but really the  week I am scheduled? I have been counting down the weeks. This past Thursday it  was 2 weeks to go... yippee, Not. I also believe that everything happens for a
reason... and I have to trust that this is the case here too. Maybe this will
give me more time to “chill out and enjoy the downsizing we have been doing the
last couple of months. I should be able to get a couple more trips to the beach
in as well. So we are now looking at October 19th.

Just in case any one is trying to figure out what I have done here... I posted my previous blogs about my thyroid jouney here as previous posts. I will be making all of my additional posts to this new blog here on Weebly.
Thank you for your support.

August 14, 2012 ~Visit with the
OtolaryngologistAugust 24, 2012Posted
by finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Thyroid.
1 comment so far
Or as many of may know them as ENT’s (Ear, Nose & Throat) specialists. 
We went through a pretty complete list of information, symptoms etc.. He said
that most likely I have had thyroid issues for a long time of up and down cycles
not allowing my body to maintain any kind of normality.  After  reviewing  the
test results, he had some concerns about the accuracy of measurements and
readings of the nodules, so he will be having the ultra sounds premeasured by
the radiologists .  Then he wanted to look down my throat, so he sprayed some
‘stuff’ down my nose so that it would deaden my throat. He also diagnosed type
of  acid reflux  that was also agravating the situtation as well.


Unless something drastically different  comes out of  the re-reads of tests
from the uptake ,it was decided that surgery  would be the best course of
action. So we scheduled for Oct 4th with pre-op Oct 1. Another 7 weeks but at
least we are moving forward.




August 6th ~ the review with the Dr. No
real answers!!August 9, 2012Posted
by finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Thyroid.
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As Lunch time on Monday rolled around I felt good about “being in charge” so
to speak. So I picked up my reports and asked that they re-fax the reports to
the dr’s office.   I called the dr’s office and was told they reports were still
not there… That is ok I still want to keep my appointment.  My envelope had been
sealed shut so I didn’t open them… but I have them if I needed them. I head to
my appointment at 3p.m.  and it is nearly 4 when I get to see her… She said we
just got them in. And she said the uptake test came back  within normal ranges
but did show that one of the nodules has grown since May when the 1st ultra
sound was taken… So how can it be normal if it shows hot spots and cold spots?
At that point I teared up and said now what is the next step, do I see and
endocrinologist or a surgeon. She said actually a ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat).
Really why?? She explained to me that they too specialize in auto immune
diseases and treat thyroid conditions quite often. So the ENT that I am being
referred to is also a surgeon… She then suggested that I get back on my
medicines and that it might take a good while before I can see him.  She also
prepped me that many times they will build a patient back up on maximum doses of
thyroid meds for 6 or 9 months and then do this whole procedure again. At this
point I am telling myself, remember you want to handle this matter with grace
and gratitude at all time. So I am trying to convenience myself that is all
going to be Ok, But in my heart it was this deep almost disappointment that here
we go with more “waiting”. There was no feeling of relief  but more of a feeling
of “CRAP” I was going back to page one and having to start over with another Dr.
  and here goes another 9 months of my life ” with lots of answered questions and
concerns.yes I used a 4 letter word and not even graceful about it. but I did
not say it out loud if that counts for anything! As I left the room she noticed
the places under chin and on the side of the forhead… I was still having a
reaction to the “radioactive iodine pill” on top of it all… Now isn’t  that
real special… So now I am no an antibotic for 10 days to counter act any
infection from these “burns”.


The below statements  are not hosting a pity potty party… just some realities
of some of my symptoms.


If the constant clearing of my sore throat and feeling like I am choking
nearly all the time wasn’t enough… then there is the “constant exhaustion” and
continued weight gain that I will need to to deal with.  Feeling rather beat up
after the appointment I simply go home and share with hubby…


Tuesday Morning comes and as soon as 9 am hits I am calling the Dr’s office
that I was referred to. The receptionist says that the 1st opening for a new
patient is Aug 14th at 2:30… As she told me this I said out loud ”thank you,
thank you” I am so glad I will not have to wait weeks or months to find out what
is in store for me . Prayers answered!. and a good side note… he is listed on
Angies’ List too. LOL.  I will try to be more timely on the next post next
week.




July 26 & 27th ~ The Uptake
TestAugust 9, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Thyroid.
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Hello everyone,


I didn’t realize that I hadn’t posted this portion it hung out in draft mode.
LOL.


The Morning of the test I arrived at 8:45 just like a good little girl. I
teased the tech that escorted me back to the testing area, I knew my way pretty
well by now. So, I sit down and I am informed that some College students will be
observing / participating in my test. So this student asks me questions and I
answer them. It must have been his first time because he didn’t know how to
write down the answers that I was giving him and he was consulting with the
technician there. After the questions, they start the unwrapping process… and
what a process… gloves and one container after the other and a couple of “lead
containers” in between the containers. I am thinking to myself… do I really want
to take this pill?. So I swallow the pill? I did and was told that was it for
now and be back at 1 for testing.. Okie dokie, no problem there. As time would
have it dragged till it was time to go back… I arrive on time, thank goodness,
traffic was horrible as usual in that area. I am again escorted down the darker
hallway. I am told to sit in this chair that was behind a telescope looking
thing. Without explaining what they were doing one of the students moves this
telescope over my right leg and pushes a button… I calmly asked what are you
doing, she said take a measurement.Taking a measurement of what, I asked again.
She just said a measurement. I said this leg has titanium parts in it, do you
need to know that, and is it safe with the metal in my leg etc…. A look of sheer
panic came over her face.. she turned of the machine and went and found the
technician. When he arrived, he asked what my concern was, I explained about my
leg.. he simply said, oh it should be fine. WHAT? should be, you don’t know. He
said, no it shouldn’t be an issue. He then proceeded to turn on the button… I
asked him, what are you doing? He said taking a reading…. I said what kind of
reading… he said a reading… I lost it then. I said what are you looking for? he
answered a base reading. Then I asked are you taking a reading to see if the
pill has traveled? he said yes… I asked why my leg and not my neck… he
responded, we will do both. I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrated I was
and a bit scared at this point… I felt like I had been left with kindergarteners
to do a professionals job. At that point I said I do not want any more students
handling my test.. I wanted a resident tech, that this was too important.  The
tech didn’t look a day of 18 so that wasn’t much help either and no personality
or forthcoming with information unless I asked for it..it was like pulling teeth
out… my own. After taking their needed readings, I am placed on the narrowest of
tables for the test. I am told to hold my hands to my side. Excuse me for how
long must I just hold my arms to my sides… Oh about 20 mins each time. Mind you
I am a Big woman… this just wasn’t going to happen… so I asked if I could tuck
my hands under my buttocks and was told yes I could do that if I needed… I
promise I needed to. So the placed a Marker on the soft part of my throat… wrong
thing to do, it caused me to cough. WE finally found a compromise for the damn
marker so that I wouldn’t cough.   Then they slide a plate looking screen that
was probably 18″ square towards my right side of my face. I just laid there
never hearing the machine do anything.  One of the more boring test I have had
to endure. Then they repeated the series center and left. then I was done..
Yeephee.  Was told to return again in the morning at 9 am.  I did what I was
told and returned. Again I get to bond with the telescope looking thing so that
they could take readings of the radioactive material and Iodine… then I was told
“all done”. When asked how long before I would hear something I was told 24 to
48 hours.. this being Friday I knew that this probably meant Tuesday.


As my luck would have it… when I checked with my Dr’s office, they hadn’t
recieved it as of Thursday. So learning to be my own advocate, I called the
radioligy place and asked if they had been sent yet… Yes mamn, they have. So I
then asked if I could come by and pick up copies of my results… Yes I could but
I would need to wait 7 days… ok then I will pick them up on Monday.


 




July 19, 2012 ~ STRONG MEDICINE &
SUPER HEROSJuly 21, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Friendships, Grace &
Gratitude, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, Journey &
Journaling, Strong Medicine, Thyroid.
1 comment so far
Several people have asked me how I can be so
strong through all of the uncertianities…. Easy Answer~ I am blessed with Super
Hero’s in my life, some just might call them friends but they are heros to me!
One of these such Heros is Rachél Payne. Whole volumes
of books will  be written on this creative spirit who is following her dreams to
pursue her love of creating a community of nurturing artists no
matter what mediums they chose to use.  We try to do lunch one a month to get
caught up on each others lifes…. There is never enough “time” at lunch to do
this but none the less it is time treasured beyond words.  She presented me this
bag of Strong medicine. I fought off the tears and truly was touched with the
goodies inside.


These strong medicines are All gifts from our wonderful earth. Wonderful
wrapped sage, braded Sweet Grass, rose petals and bee’s wax candles and
presented in a nicely embelished bown paper bag that can be recycled and used
again and again.


So as I place these items to enhance my well being and healing, I give
gratitude for the gifts from the universe and among them friendships that are
stronger than any binding that could be made by man.


I would be amiss to not also acknowledge another hero in my healing and well
being.  Tracy Moore. She too has a unique way of
presenting enlightenment and encouragement on many different topics  in  her
Blog
Pull up a Toadstool.  She made a beautiful healing meditation video
for me to focus healing energy towards my throat area and deep breathing too.


How could anyone not be strong with
warriors like these two beautiful women by ones side.


Thank you both so very much from they
very depths of my being.




July 5th ~ Some of the Results are
inJuly 6, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Grace &
Gratitude, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, Journey &
Journaling, Thyroid.
2 comments
For those of you that have been following this blog
from the beginning know I had made reference to feeling pretty sure this would
be a roller coaster of a journey… and so far it has been just that a roller
coaster ride!


the Dr. cautioned me not to get too excited ~ because not all the tests were
in yet. But  we do know this much… The PET scan did confirm what we already knew
about the Thyroid. The rest of my body didn’t light up like a Christmas Tree,
and this is wonderful news for me.  YEEPHEE !!! . You might be asking did she
really say Yeephee, you bet I did, with lots of thank yous to the higher powers
that be. When you go through these types of tests and learn more about them you
really begin to get a sense of how very complicated our bodies are. The
gratitude and Joy comes from knowing  this is so very
treatable when it is this localized in this one area.


One of the blood tests  that we are waiting on checks for markers from
different organs that may not have lit up in the PET scan.  I am
very grateful that they are being so through about all
of this.


In closing our telephone conversation she wanted me to remind me
again that all bets are off if these test numbers come back high meaning it
could/would be somewhere else in my body as well… I am good with this
information… I will bask in the good news over the weekend and when the other
tests come  good or even maybe not so good or challenging, I will cross that
bridge when it gets here.


.




July 2 ~ Follow up will be on July
5thJuly 2, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Grace &
Gratitude, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, Journey &
Journaling, Mammogram, Thyroid.
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Here we are in the 1st full Summer Month started. I had a wonderful relaxing
weekend with Hubby. We worked on the  RV and made sure the A/C was working well
and it IS! In this 100+ heat the words A/C are considered golden words for us.
We have a beautiful Troop family in this week to share in our Forth of July
festivities at the park…  Tomorrow July 3rd will be a Full moon and full of
reflection by many.





   On the 4th, Hubby and I are planning on Going up to Kerrville to see  dear
family friends for lunch and then head back  in time for Rockport Fireworks and
BBQ to close out the evening. Going to Kerrville for the 4th this year will be 
incredibly special for me in that I have learned so much over the years about
our freedoms and the great acts of valor Gene’s and my father witnessed and
participated in to keep our country free back in WWII. Our very rights as
citizens to be able to make our own decisions about outcomes that we wish to see
is a blessing and a gift, even when they don’t always turn out the way we had
hoped.  


Then we shall return to work on Thursday… this will be a long day for me in
that my 3:45 appointment for results will take forever to get here.  I am still
very hopeful that she will  say that there is no other areas of concern in the
body.. that  the concern is just in my thyroid/throat area. Even though I feel
this way the waiting of another 72 hours seems like a long time.  I had thought
in recent weeks that I would want my hubby to be there with me when I got the
results back from the PET scan, but I don’t think that will be necessary. I
think when the thyroid uptake is done I will ask him to go then… so that we have
a better idea of what the next step in this Journey will be. He has already said
he knows everything is going to be alright because God wouldn’t have finally
brought us together to have us be apart… And God Knows I love this man beyond
words.


SO I will fill my time with working on the “Summer of Me project and do some
of those things I have put on my list for self nurturing and self-care.




June 28 ~ Retake of Mammogram, then a
Ultra Sound  & PET ScanJune 29, 2012Posted
by finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Thyroid.
2 comments
  Hubby fixed eggs, bacon and cheese the night before… since all I was suppose
to eat was protein and no carbs.  Water and lots of it prior to the testing.
Most likely didn’t have more than a few hours at best of sleep last night..plus
hopping up every hour to empty my bladder from all the water.


By 6:45 am a dear friend has text me letting me know I was in her prayers.
That was so sweet and her son also had sent me a text of “good luck”.later my
sister in law  had text too.. all of this before 8:30. How blessed am I to have
such dear dear friends spirtually with me through out the day!


I arrived a few minutes early and a family friend greeted me from behind the
desk. Diane and I went down memory lane and how much my papa helped her family
at different times… she showed me a scar and told me the story about how her
mother didn’t know how to drive… so she called Mr. Grant to take her to the
hosptial. She reminded me that Dad did alot of things for the neighbors and
always with a smile and never asked for anything in return. What a wonderful day
to start the day. Then she shared how much her play pal- my brother and her
would do crazy things and dad again would never yell at them…he would just undo
what ever they had done and went on about his business.  Like the time She and
my brother had put gravel in dads varsal vat. we both laughed.  This stroll down
memory lane took the edge off right away.. we both acknowledge that we wouldn’t
change those days for nothing.


MAMMOGRAM PORTION ~ am called in for additional
mammogram pictures.. the technician explains exactly what she is looking for and
why on both sides. Explained why the differnt plates were being used, very
through. As I sat in the room, the radiologist reviewed the pictures, asked some
additional questions and decided that an ultra sound was only needed on the
right side.  This was good news to me… 1/2 the concern already cleared.


ULTRA SOUND  PORTION~ A beautiful
Asian girl came to do the ultra sound, I am guessing she didn’t even clear 5ft.
She then explained that she needed to find the mass that was less than the size
of pea… and to be patient with her. No problem there. I wanted it found so that
we would know more… This is the one that they said was round, and from what I
had read, this was a good sign. After about 15 minutes she found it, took
pictures and measurements and more pictures and measurements from different
angles. Went back to my private cubicle and waited. She came back and said
nothing more than friroid cysts, very common nothing to worry about, Releived is
an understatment…  then my next question to her was why was the
original diagonisis – pre/post menopausal mother with breat cancer? 
She either couldn’t or wouldn’t answer me that… she simply said everything is
good. I would agree but in my mind that really does still bother me.


PET Scan ~ They had a cancelation and were able to
get to me about 30 minutes earlier than scheduled. I am escorted down a series
of winding  low lit halls to a small cubicle at the end of a hall way. This tech
begins to ask questons, double checking that I haven’t eaten,or drank anything
other than water since the night before. She checks my sugar, it’s 145.  I has
asked why that was important. She explained that the radioactive material
attaches itself to the glucose water that will be given to me intervieniously,
and that they can’t do the test if a person’s sugar is above 200. So that
mystery was solved. Then I am told that the gentlemen that will be administering
the IV will come and get me in a few minutes and we would go to the room accross
the small hallway. He came, I went to the room.  He told me to lie down an
searched for a good vein on my left arm. Well my left arm really didn’t want to
particpate. It bent the needle and he had to repostion another needle to make
sure it was in a vein. He succeded there was no burning or swelling going on, so
he preceded with the radio active iv cocktail. Then I learned more about the
prodedure. I needed to lay really still for the next one and 1/2 hours so that
the cocktail to go through my body and be able to give them a good picture. He
explained that they use the glucose and radioactive material because our body
normally will use glucose in areas that need it, so if I was even reading it
would go to the muscles that were used to flip the pages etc… So I got how
important it was to lay still. I did flench several times when the yard men
would start up the weedwacker and edger along the wall that I was up against…but
they said that should hurt the results. The next step is to empty your bladder I
did that with no problems.  I then waited just a minute or two and they were
ready to start the test. I laid on a very narrow table  with what look like
almost boxer glove looking thing wrapped around my head and was told to place my
arms above and rest them on this head gear.. what fun this is going to be… she
then said it should take about 25 min to do my test and then I would be free to
go. Alrighty now, lets get started.  So I slid through this cylinder machine
that sounds much like an old washing machine. Their cute quote is they check you
from “eyes to thighs” I am only guessing here but I would think they did about a
foot at a time. I don’t remember how many little jaunts I had till they were
done.  I was assisted up  and had to wait a few minutes to make sure all the
film was readable.


I was way more tired than I had imagined I would be. Looking forward to
heading home for a nap and some nurishing food too. I called several people on
my way home to let them know it will probably be Tuesday or Thursday of next
week before I would hear back on these test.


  Well my wonderful hubby had decided to take off so that I wouldn’t have to
come home to an empty house after all of that.  After week of  near 100 + temps
our trailer was very very warm… we cranked down A/C and litterly took apart all
of our floor fans and washed and cleaned them up to get the max turbo air we
could.  Took my shower and crashed with wonderful thoughts of tomorrow is TGIF,
tomorrow, tomorrow to the tune of little orphan anny song.


 


 




June 21, ~ Mammogram
resultsJune 21, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Thyroid.
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I had called my Dr’s office today around 2:30 to see if the results have been
received yet. They called me back around 3:50 and that Dr. Margaret wanted to
see me again.. I asked if I could go ahead and be seen this afternoon, and they
said yes… After a challenging day with following up with requests for employment
verifications and documentation…. this distraction was just what the dr ordered.
I called my boss and let him know, he said go and we would catch up tomorrow.
The 20 minute drive to the office gave me a chance to take several deep breaths
before entering the office. While I was waiting there was a young man who was
waiting and he had asked me if I had ever seen Dr. Margaret? I said yes and that
I thought the world of her. He agreed and said he wants his wife to come and be
seen by here. He was really impressed. Talking with him sure helped pass those
minutes that seemed like hours. Then we went though the normal routine of temp
weight and blood pressure and on to room 3… I can do this part now by myself
LOL.  Dr. Margaret sat down and she asked how I was doing? I said I could tell I
was off my thyroid, yawning all the time. Then we started talking about the
results of the mammogram.


Since they had my last one from 2005 they were able to tell about
any changes since then and there were several. A round nodule @ the 9:00 middle
depth  on right breast and a new calcification in the left breast @ the 10:00
o’clock position in the retroareolar region.


So the short version is more tests and views are recommended.  I did some
reading tonight and if I am understanding what I am reading  correctly the good
news is “round nodules tend to be benign”.


Tomorrow morning will be appointment making time again… for diagnostic and
additional views and to go ahead and schedule a PET scan if possible.


Well I finished watching a cute movie… I think it was called Matilda… it was
precious.  I am going to try to go put my head down for the night.




Wednesday ~ June
20thJune 20, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Uncategorized.
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Well it is funny how the mind can play games with you. So here is what is
rattling around today… it was 2 weeks today when I got the call that I needed to
see the Dr  about the Ultra sounds results… which were not due until that Friday
or Monday.


Even though I was told not to expect to hear anything for 48 hours , in the
back of my mind, I am  thinking if I don’t hear from the Dr. Today I will take
that as a sign that no news is good news and nothing was found. If the phone
rings this afternoon, I still fully expect it to be good news that nothing
showed up on the mammogram. 


Ok feel better just sharing these thoughts with you.


I also am going to share this blog with my friends at Wishcasting Wednesday today. I know several of
them are going through some serious medical issues too and we are here to
support each other make sure our dreams come true.




June 19th ~ The
MammogramJune 19, 2012Posted by
finding1sselfsthyroidjourney in Grace &
Gratitude, Hashimoto's
thyroiditis, Journaling, Journey &
Journaling, Mammogram, Thyroid, Uncategorized.
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While she asked her set of standard questions and review of why I was there
now. I was shocked to find out it had been 7 years since I had my last mammogram
back in 2005. Shame on me.


My tech was incredibly informative and sincere today and I learned a few
things too. She didn’t fuss  at me she just let me know that they offer reduced
cost mammograms for women that do not have insurance usually twice a year. Good
information to know.


So as I shared why I was there she asked if I had any questions and of course
I did… I told her of my delay in the uptake test and she confirmed it is a 6
week wait if you are on thyroid meds. I asked her if there was a way to do the
PET scan without having to wait an additional 6 weeks after the uptake test… she
said she would check on that while I was getting dressed.    The exam was quite
routine 4 pics and I was done… so I am going to take that to be a
good sign. Once I was dressed she came in and said she spoke to
the radiologists that does the scans and if that is warranted after the uptake
scan they can do it  days after it and not weeks. PET scans use a higher dose of
radio-active material for that test.  I took a deep breath and told her thank
you for her time and consideration to get my concerns answered.  She also
assured me that once the thyroid is taken out  it is one of the easier diseases
to treat. So this rings true with what I have read and heard from others… Sounds
like a walk in the park so far. In my heart I still believe the abnormalities
are just in my throat and have not traveled… Other than being tired, memory
problems and weight gain, and some acid reflux… I feel ok. I don’t hurt anyway…
so my continuing prayer will be that all of these extra tests will be for mental
reassurance (this is a biggy for sure) and nothing more. My mom suffered from
several different bouts of cancer throughout her life… so to have all the cards
out on the table is a good thing so good decisions can be made.   I had lunch
afterwards… and that didn’t sit well with me… so even though I am mentally good
with it all so far… I think my tummy maybe a bit more sensitive about having
tests run. So it will be sprite for me tonight