Today is Doctor Day.
For those of you new here I’ll do a quick recap.
In December of 2015 in a routine annual check my doctor felt lumps on my thyroid. This turned out to be troublesome. In February of 2016 my thyroid was removed and in March pathology showed it was cancerous. In April I was given Radioactive Iodine treatment…and May I recovered.
We thought that was going to be the end of it. It wasn’t. Since then my thyroglobulin tumor marker has gradually started going up. I was told if the number got over a 2 we should be concerned that the cancer had returned.
In July of 2018 it had crept to 1.5. At that point we were concerned because of the progressive movement upward…testing increased. I was moved to a schedule that I was monitored every 3 months vs every 6 months. By October of the same year it was 2.8. Tests were run and although the number was high, no test would show where the cancer was.
Since the fall of 2018 I’ve been dealing with this on a more serious level. I go through tests every three months…the tests include some combination of PET scans, Chest CT scans, Neck Ultrasounds, Neck CT scans, Needle Biopsies to my thyroid area and the dreaded diet along with shots and full body scan. None of these show cancer….yet somewhere, I have cancer- we know that because the thyroglobulin tumor marker rises.
Discussion have been around how to treat me. Doctors don’t like to treat blindly. They want to know all there is to know before a treatment so proper dosing can be given. So I haven’t been treated. If the cancer is in my neck in the my thyroid bed, they want to remove it surgically first, then treat. If it’s moved to my lungs, they want to remove it first, then treat. Through all the test, nothing has been found to remove….at least not something definitive.
In February I went in and we were suppose to do a bunch of testing but that was all cancelled because of covid. I messaged my doc in early May and asked. She told me that the earliest testing would be done is June as Wisconsin was on lock down through the end of May but that all changed and I got a phone call a week ago and have appointments scheduled for today.
As part of the new testing starting up, I went in last week and had a blood test to get a new tumor marker number…
In October of 2019 it was 26.
In February of 2020 it was 32.
and now…
it’s 80.
I know your initial reaction is lucky, “oh no!!” or “that poor girl”. That is not my reaction.
At this point, I’m really indifferent. It is what it is. We’ve known this has been brewing. Maybe now they will be able to find it and maybe now we can deal with it. If my number remained close to the previous number then maybe it wouldn’t show up on tests again. With this number, I’m relatively sure I will be treated blindly if nothing actually shows up on any scans.
My main hope at this point is that the PET scan is clear and the other tests find the problem. If the PET scan finds it, that means Radioactive Iodine won’t be able to treat it and chemo and radiation would be on the table. UGH. I really would prefer not to go down that road.
I’ve felt well all along the journey this has taken me on and that is a real blessing. I hope, it can stay that way.
So while you are reading this today, I’m on my way to Lacrosse. That’s where my doctor is…and where the testing is getting underway. The good news is that I’ll know the results today and will meet with my doctor today. Watch for a post tomorrow and I’ll let you know what I know.
Healing thoughts with you Jo
Good luck with your tests today Jo. I will be thinking and praying for you!
Thanks for the update. Praying for you.
Thoughts and prayers are with you Jo and we know that God hears and answers our prayers. Continue to be Kramer Strong.
My thoughts are with you, Jo as you travel and get the news. God has his arms wrapped around you and hears our prayers.
Sending prayers.
God bless all goes well.
I’m glad they’re finally seeing you. I remember when your appointments were cancelled in February and I’ve been wondering when they’d get you in. I’m glad they’re seeing you now. I hope your appointment goes as best as it is possible to go. I am praying for you.
Thinking of you. I hope you get answers so you can work on getting rid of whatever it is causing your numbers to rise.
Thinking of you and sending quilty hugs, Jo!!!
Prayers
Prayers
I will be praying for you and your family
Today I’m cutting fabric for your Self Sashing Disappearing Nine Patch. I will definitely be thinking about you! Sending prayers and hugs!
So glad you are finally getting in – Praying for results that are completely treatable. Sending love your way. You are on my mind.
Good luck today Jo, I truly hope you get some answers. Will be thinking of you and sending up a prayer.
Praying for you and the doctors.
Prayers for you today!
Prayers for answers but also peace today.
Glad that you were able to get in for testing….praying for you!
Praying my friend.
Thank you for keeping us updated on everything so we know how to prayer for you.
Love and prayers
Prayers for you today, Jo.
Sending lots of prayers .
I hope they can find out what is going on this time. I hope they can effectively treat it! I will pray to that end!
Your attitude is awesome! Focus on what you can control. Spend time with the ones that bring you joy.
There is power in prayer and you have several praying for you. Praying for wisdom for the dr.s that treat you and the guidance by God’s hand to heal you!
You are a beautifully strong woman of God. He will be with you and send people to support you when you need it! I’m here for you, my friend!
I am praying.
Praying for you, your family, and the Drs.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Fingers crossed that they find the problem and it’s treatable and you recover
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Praying hard for you, Jo!
Only good thoughts for you today…
sending good thoughts your way :)
Keeping you in my prayers and & sending hugs!
Hope everything goes well, today. I’ll check on you tomorrow.
Thoughts and prayers for you today Jo.
Prayers and anxious to hear your results.
Love, hugs and prayers coming your way.
Praying!
Keeping you in my thoughts today and I pray there is some answers for you and what is going on.
#Kramerstrong
Prayers are being sent.
Praying for your complete healing in Jesus name. You weren’t being bitchy when you asked the scheduler to get a better date. You were telling her she could probably do better.
Thank you for posting this yesterday when I know you were tired. Keep strong in the Lord rest well.