It’s doctor day for me. Well, yesterday was a test day and today is doctor’s day. It’s that time of year again. For me, it is currently a six months ordeal for a check-up on my thyroid cancer.
Yesterday I made the trip to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for testing and today it’s my day to get the results.
My daughter Kelli went with me yesterday along with her daughter Georgia. They wanted to do some school shopping to get Georgia ready for her 4-year-old preschool class. That all starts on the 23rd I believe. They had gotten the supplies earlier so this trip was about clothes!
On Monday were up early and on the road. We stopped at one place coming into town and then Kelli let me out at Mayo Clinic and I went in and started my test. They went on to do more shopping. Luckily there were only two…blood test and then a chest CT. The blood test was first and then I headed to the waiting room for my CT. I started stitching.
Then I heard someone say, “Jo, it’s Jo.” I looked and didn’t immediately recognize the person. It was one of those she looked so familiar moments but a name didn’t come. Then I saw her husband and immediately knew. They were from my husband’s old neighborhood back home when I first met him. In fact, I met Dave, the husband, for the first time on the very night I met my husband. They were neighborhood friends.
We had moved out of the area by the time Dave met and married his wife Donna. Had we stayed in the area, I am certain Donna and I would have become friends. She’s a quilter and crafter and very talented.
It made my day to see them and catch up with the who’s and what’s of the old neighborhood. It’s always great to get back in touch with good people.
So my day of waiting and tests was made MUCH better just by seeing them. THANKS so much, Dave and Donna!!
Before long I was done and Kelli picked me back up again. Georgie was all of herself when we were shopping. She just loves EVERYTHING horse and unicorn. EVERYTHING. She would not accept any clothes that weren’t horse or unicorn. That kid!!!
We made it home later in the afternoon and the test results started to become published. It’s a nerve-racking process. Sadly, I’ve been doing this long enough that I know when things sound good and when they sound not so good.
If you’ve been around here you know that in 2016 was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I had it removed and was given radioactive iodine to kill anything that was there and left over.
As time went on we realized that my cancer was returning but didn’t know where. My blood work numbers indicated it was somewhere but scans couldn’t find it. My numbers continued to rise and we continued scans. Finally, in the Fall of 2020, they found it. The cancer had moved to my lungs which is typical of thyroid cancer.
In January 2021, they tried a new not very well-tested treatment. It knocked the cancer back but didn’t kill it. So now we are back to blood tests and scans.
In the evening my phone started pinging with test results. Everything started out well. They do a blood panel with it all and apparently, minus the cancer, I’m pretty healthy. To get all of the results the phone had to ping about five times. Of course, the tests that meant something were last…and waited until 9 pm in the evening.
The results of the scan came in at supper time. They were not good…not terrible but not good. The cancer was growing again.
At 9 pm the test that really meant something came in. It was terrible. Back in the Fall of 2020, my tumor marker was thought to be terrible and it was at 1300. Anything below 2 is considered good. My number is now over 2800. That’s bad.
Everything ran through my brain. Has the cancer spread yet again…that’s a big possibility. Had my cancer morphed and become not the follicular kind but antiplastic? There are so many questions and possibilities that ran through my mind. All of them not good.
There really, as of the last time I talked with the doctor, nothing they can do to ever cure this. There might be some off-the-wall hail-mary type thing as a treatment but there will never be a cure.
All I know for certain at this point is that whatever comes of the appointment, I’m going to do my best to have a good attitude. I’m sure this will involve more testing. I’ll be moved back to the three-month appointment plan. Those are all things I can do. So, I get a plan and work the plan and hope for the best.
So I was left with that and had to go off to bed. I’d be seeing my doctor in the morning leaving at 7 am….and that’s where I’m heading off to as you are reading this. My daughter Kalissa is with me. I’m sure she’ll be full of questions for the doctor.
I’ll give you an update when the dust settles. Hopefully, I’ll get an update to you this evening but if not, in the morning.
Sending thoughts and prayers.
Jo, will be praying for you during this waiting time. I am so sorry.
Prayers of support and successful treatment for you and your family as you navigate your way through your thyroid/cancer .
Mayo Clinic offers many of the best treatments for illnesses. I am confident that they will have options for you.
Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville FL has a new building, Mangurian Jr. Building, opened in August 2018. It expands and integrates services for patients with complex cancer, neurological, and neurosurgical conditions.
A lifelong friend of mine had her cancer tumors treated with Cryoablation, a procedure that uses cold to treat cancer. During cryoablation, a thin, wandlike needle called a cryoprobe is inserted through the skin. The cryoprobe is placed directly into the cancer. A gas is pumped into the cryoprobe to freeze the tissue.
Cryoablation is offered at Mayo Clinic, but not sure which of the three locations.
Prayers for you, Jo!!!!!
Sorry to hear you’re numbers have gone up. Mayo Clinic is an excellent place to go. Praying they find the right treatment for you.
Sending love and prayers, Jo. Hopefully the doctor can give some insight into your situation.
Sorry to hear that the results regarding the cancer weren’t great. I never really know whether to be happy I know the test results before I see the doctor or not. Although I have come to the conclusion I would rather no see I can be prepared with my questions. Good luck at the doctor’s appointment and if nothing else you are in some of the best medical hands in the world.
Jo, please know that so many of your followers are praying for you.It has been scientifically proven that prayers have positive results. Additionally, you¹¹± are at one of the very few¹ top places in the world for treatment. You are very beloved ❤️ by your family and huge circle of friends. You’ve said that you are not a textbook case. Sounds to me that these thyroid cells are a stealth pathogen – they hide and don’t want to be found. I have stealth pathogens too-chronic Lyme Disease, which I’ve had for 30 years. I am so amazed at your positive attitude and how well you manage without your husband. You have such a positive attitude that you are an inspiration to all of us. God Bless you ❤️ and keep you around here for another century!!!
Prayers and hugs!
So sorry about these awful numbers that scare everyone. We are all praying for you and hoping your doctor visit explains options to you.
Positive thoughts and prayers coming your way!
So sorry to hear that Jo. Will keep you in my prayers.
Praying for you. Happy your daughter is with you to ask all the questions, and happy you have this good medical team to figure this out.
Thinking about you and sending a big hug along with prayers ❤️
Hugs and prayers to you Jo!
Sending prayers your way.
Keeping you and your family in prayer. You are a special person.
I pray that the great healer our Lord will hear all our prayers and bring you healing. I also pray for you and the family as you navigate this news and you feel all our prayers and they bring you comfort.
Amen! I just prayed something similar for you, Jo, and your family. God be with you at this time and wrap His arms of love around you.
Praying for you and your family as you navigate this journey. Hugs
So sorry to hear of this latest development. You seem to have a good attitude and it’s wonderful that your daughter can help you out. I will be thinking of you and following along with your blog posts.
Praying for peace and continuing positive attitudes for you. Thankful for your amazing family and that you are not alone today at your appointment. Hugs and Prayers- K-
Jo my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jo, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of struggle with your cancer. I just had my tumor marker testing last Friday and totally understand the anxiety you feel when waiting for the results. Take care and know that our God is watching over you and the prayers of many are being said for you.
Hugs to you. This is such a stressful time for you and your family. I loved seeing the Georgia photos. Such a change from the years past ones. I still chuckle over the Walmart bathroom fiasco.
Prayers of support & strength flowing your way. I’m so glad your children & grands are close by.
Jo, I am so very sorry that you and your family are going through this. I have come to think of you as a friend and I look forward to hearing from you every day. I love your busy life, positive attitude, tales of your wonderful family, your gorgeous quilts, shared recipes, and so much more. I am a quilter, but I am fascinated by your fantastic needlepointing. I am so very grateful that I’ve been able to get to know you; it enriches my life.
You will be constantly in my thoughts and prayers, as will your family. I am so glad that you have the Mayo Clinic on your side and I will be praying that they continue to help you fight off this cancer until a cure is found.
Sending hugs and love from California. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My sweet friend – continuing to keep you in my prayers.
I’m glad that Kelli is able to go with you.
Thank you for keeping us posted so we know how to pray for you.
Love and prayers
Sorry will send prayers. Hope everything will be fine.
Sending prayers your way, Jo.
We love you and your blog! We are praying for you. Have you read these articles? Maybe they can help.
https://nutritionfacts.org/?s=how%20not%20t%20die%20from%20cancer
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/the-best-diet-for-cancer-patients/
Thanks for taking the time to include these links.
Sending good thoughts your way and prayers for peace through the storm. Cancer stinks!!
Of course today’s post (8/9) is all computer code so I can’t decipher what the doctor said. Nevertheless, we all know how strong you are — no one with a faint heart could do all you do — so whatever your numbers, we know that you will surmount this set back. We are all pulling for you with love, affection and good wishes.
Go here https://www.joscountryjunction.com/ then scroll back to the post you missed.
Jo, I am praying for you also.
Trust in the Lord, lean not on your own understanding. “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4 5 -7
HUGS n LOVE <3
Praying for you, Jo, and sending loving and positive thoughts to surround you.
Sending love and prayers your way. Hoping for the best possible outcome and treatment. We’re all pulling for you. Hugs!
Prayers and best wishes for your health, strength, and courage always.
Unfortunately your “trip to the Doctor” post is all gobbly gook again.
Also we are wanting to know what your news is of a “job”.
Go here https://www.joscountryjunction.com/ then scroll back to the post you missed.
Dear Jo— I also got the computer coding and very much want to know what the doctor said. Can it be reposted? So much love coming from all of us!
And hang in there. My daughter and I are moving to Columbia, Missouri. And I’m looking forward to meeting you! Much love, jane
Go here https://www.joscountryjunction.com/ then scroll back to the post you missed.
Prayers for you Jo !
Well that sucks! I have to say you are far more gracious and accepting of your diagnosis than I was with mine. I came home, sulked and kicked furniture for a day. Which only added a sore foot to my diagnosis. You’re on my prayer list. HUGS.
Jo, this infuriates me! This is unjust and horrid in the extreme. This should not be happening, it can’t be accepted.
Of all people to be so brutally sick — why you? You are so kind and generous to everyone; you should be rewarded, not suffering.
I hate this.
Oh Jazz…It’s okay. I’m really on the why not me thought process. I am no better than anyone else and do not deserve special treatment. Come what may, I’ll make the best of it!
Oh, my. I was not able to get the “Cancer Update” post –all gobbledy-gook, coding of some sort, I guess. I’m almost afraid to get it, but I truly do want to walk along in support, as much as I can from such a long distance. Such a blessing to have your daughter with you. And little Georgie, what a doll. Prayers for you; mine and many others.
Go here https://www.joscountryjunction.com/ then scroll back to the post you missed.
Thinking of you, Jo and sending love x
Okay, I’m just gonna jump in and throw a seed of info for you. Many kinds of cancer feed on sugar. A cursory search showed me that the thyroid cancer and sugar connection has been studied in connection with Metformin. I can’t follow all the science talk perfectly, but “death of cancer cells” was easy to see. I know you will have a lot to navigate with all this, but you must know how much we all care for you. So I guess it’s only natural for us to offer ideas and suggestions. You feel like a close friend to many of us. I’ll be adding my prayers to all the others.
Thanks for sharing.
You and you family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your attitude and courage are remarkable.
Praying for you Jo! Love,Sandra❤️❤️
Positive thoughts for you!
I know for certain that Mayo Clinic has the very best doctors and patient care so you are in excellent hands.
Your contacts are all praying for you, prayers get us through the toughest times!
Neither last night’s update (and I’m hoping it was good), and today’s stichery one came thru as code
Go here https://www.joscountryjunction.com/ then scroll back to the post you missed.
Just read yesterday’s post. I am praying for you as you see the doctor. May you sense His unfailing care and presence.
You aren’t facing your illness alone. Your family and all of us that read your blog are praying along with you and sending our strongest wishes for your heath.
Unfortunately, your Cancer Update post was unreadable.
Go back and check them now. You can go to the blog here…www.joscountryjunction.com
Just scroll back until you find the posts you missed.
Go here https://www.joscountryjunction.com/ then scroll back to the post you missed.
I am so sorry that your tests didn’t turn out as you would wish. We are all sending as much positive energy your way as possible.
My prayers are with you.
Dear Jo – Hold fast to His Promises! I’m behind on the blog reading as we have been dealing with similar stuff. We sought out a 2nd opinion for my husband as doctors here said his kidney must go. After a trip to Froedtert we were told he has a very rare disease that causes benign tumors in his organs. That was good news. This thing will grow but for now he is on a watch. You are in my prayers and I know our Lord holds you.