Friday, June 4, 2010

I'm sorry, what?

I had a follow-up appointment to go over my latest scan the other day. Mostly, it went well. The mass in my chest (which, by the way, I didn't know was even still there) is getting smaller, which is good, and the scan didn't show anything abnormal. In fact, the technician actually said in the summary that everything showed good improvement for my type of cancer. That is good. I am happy.

At the very beginning of the "physical" portion of the appointment my doctor says, "have we talked about your thyroid being enlarged?" "Um, no." "Ok, well, your thyroid is enlarged." Yeah, I think I got that. "What does that mean?" "Could be nothing. We will run your levels to see."

Now, my mom has an enlarged thyroid that is nothing. My aunt had hers out and it turned out to be nothing. I have heard of several family instances of this. I am not really "worried" but at the same time I am. Cause that's what I do. I worry. Plus. I have seen the scars that result from having this removed. You look like Frankenstein's Monster. Just add the bolts on the side of your neck. I should not be worried about scars anymore, I have enough of them. And that is really only half of it. What if there is really a problem with my thyroid and I have to do treatment again? It makes me sick just to think about it. And scared. I think I am more scared of this being something big than I was after my first scan. I can see this coming. And do lots of worrying. How about someone worry for me, so I can take a break for a while.

It should be mentioned that I got a call from Dr. Harker (the oncologist) yesterday night and he did it again, "Did we talk about doing an ultrasound on your thyroid?" Pause. "No." "Ok, I would like to have that done at your convenience." Great. "Someone from the office should call you tomorrow to schedule that." And no one did. And no one will till Monday. More time for Lena to worry. Oh, and I have low potassium, which is why I have been getting SEVERE cramps in my feet when I stretch the wrong way. Bring on the bananas! And, as Grandpa told me, the avocados, which have like 3x as much potassium as bananas. I may just get an over the counter supplement. I suck with adding stuff to my diet.

Ok, there it is. Nothing yet, but potentially, well, nothing, but something. Oh well.

4 comments:

  1. You're doctor sounds awesome. Nice way to tell you about your health . . . "Did I tell you?..." I hope it's nothing too. Good luck!

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  2. SO SORRY you have more to worry about. i am the same way. Your doctor sounds really on top of things- to personally call you. Well, it sounds like it wouldn't be surprising for you to have an enlarged thyroid if you have a history of it in yoru family, but i would be the same way- worrying it's cancer. so sorry. OK your feet- what's the deal with that? because mine do it too. it's like a charlie horse in my foot if I move it a certain way, is that because of cancer? or something else? weird.

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  3. I'll worry for you. But again, thyroid problems run in the family. Part of your heritage from Southern Utah and the above ground testings. Sorry about that. Good luck.

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  4. I'm sorry about your thyroid. My brother has that and they have just been watching it. I hate having more things to worry about. THE BALL IS NOT GOING TO DROP!!! Just enjoy yourself. You're not on chemo right now, you have hair, you are feeling good. Enjoy it! My feet do the weird cramping thing too so I've started eating more bananas and avocado and it's been helping a lot. I don't know what it is, but maybe it has to do with muscles tightening up from chemo. I feel tight everywhere.

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