So I thought I should finally give an update on what’s going
on with me and the whole Thyroid thing…notice I still don’t refer to it as
cancer…I’m still working though that. I kinda pushed the whole thing out of my
mind for the past year and a half since I had my thyroidectomy. If I didn’t think about it wasn’t a big deal,
right?
Well now I’m back to reality, a few weeks ago, I had an
appointment with my Radiology Oncologist, Dr Hazuka. In preparation for my
appointment they sent me some paperwork to fill out along with a parking lot pass
which read “Memorial Hospital Cancer Patient Parking.” What? They couldn’t be
telling me I’m a cancer patient. Julie
had real cancer, I have something else… “Thyroid Issues” as I often refer to it
as. Well one thing is for sure, I have issues when it comes to cancer.
I am struggling to reconcile the fact that I am
not in control of my body…no matter if I eat healthy, exercise, do what’s best for my body there is
no guarantee that my body won’t just fail and succumb to something. I know I am
sounding extreme, and I don’t mean to sound like I’m on the brink of death. I
know people who are in a fight for their life from the ravaging effects of treating
cancer and I am not. Minus this whole thyroid cancer thing, I am in great health.
But the thought that I can’t control my body is disturbing to me. Maybe it’s
just something you gradually begin to except as you grow older but I think I’m
still in denial. I know Heavenly Father is all knowing and I trust in the Atonement
to give me strength to overcome the feelings I have. But I am struggling with
this right now…not every day. In fact I usually go about a week of feeling
really good about everything and then I break down and cry for a day. Kinda
silly but that is what going on with me. So when I talk to any of you and you
ask how I’m doing I will say ‘I’m good’ because that how I feel I should be. I
should be good. This isn’t really a life or death situation. But I still
struggle and yet life goes on. I have 4 wonderful children that are in constant
need of…. well…everything. I do thank God everyday for my sweet children and
supportive husband who are a constant reminder that I am richly blessed. That also
helps me learn that wonderful blessings come out of challenges. Raising kids
isn’t all joy…it’s crying, messes, laundry, heartache, stress, anxiety …the
list goes on. But the joy I feel when I hug my children is indescribable.
So I’m totally rambling now but that what’s on my mind these days…
Now
back to the updating. Next Thursday, February 23rd I will stop taking
my thyroid medication in preparation for a Radioactive Iodine treatment (RAI).
In order for the RAI to be effective, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) levels
must be well above the normal level. This is accomplished by not taking my
thyroid medication (it supplies the TSH to my body since I no longer have a
thyroid) for 3-6 weeks. I will become very hypothyroid which has the side
effect of being very tired and worn out. Other possible effects are weight
gain, swelling in hands and face, reduced concentration, and symptoms of
anxiety and depression. Not too fun! The
reason to put my body in this hypothyroid state is high TSH levels stimulate
any thyroid tissue (normal or cancerous) in my body so they will want to suck up
iodine… but in this case it will be radioactive.
After 3
weeks of no meds (march 15th)
I will do some labs to see where my TSH levels are. At that point I will go on
a low-Iodine diet which I must follow for at least 10 days prior to taking RAI
pill and 7 days after. I bet you are
asking yourself, what is a low-iodine diet? Well maybe you’re not but, I’m
gonna tell you anyway J
I must avoid: Iodized Salt (Duh), sea salt, anything from the sea (fish, seaweed,
carrageean etc), all dairy except egg whites, cured or corned foods, dried
fruit, canned veggies, bread (unless homemade with plain salt and no butter or
milk), chocolate, molasses, soy products and anything that contains Red Dye #3.
And basically all foods that come in a box or bag because there is no way of
knowing if they used iodized salt or other things which contain iodine! Oh and
no eating out L.
The reason for the diet is based on the idea that if there is very low levels
of iodine in my body, when the RAI is introduced the thyroid tissues will “suck”
it up since they have been deprived.
Once my
TSH levels are at a desired level, I will be ready to take my RAI pill. Dr
Hazuka estimated it could be around March 28th. So I simply go to
the hospital, and take my pill and go home. The radiation should be ablating
the thyroid cells in my body at this time. I must be in complete isolation for
48 hrs, since I will be emitting radiation like a dental x-ray. Some tedious
precautions must be made but I won’t go into the details now. For the next 5
days I should still keep my distance from people (aka the little people who
want to be held all the time at my house!) We have decided that when I do the
RAI, I will go home to my room and Brandon will take the kids to go stay at his
Mom’s house for at least 3 days. My Mom is going to stay in the basement at my
house to help me out (from a distance of course) as I will still be in an ever declining state of
hypothyroidism.
The possible
side effects from the radiation include: nausea, salivary gland soreness, neck
swelling or pain, dry mouth, metallic taste or decreased taste sensation, and excess
tearing. Radiation tends to want to pool
in the salivary glands, so to combat that, my Dr recommends continually sucking
on or chewing sour candy or gum in the first 48 hours after.
One
week after the RAI treatment, I will go back to the hospital for a full body
scan. They will then be able to see if any thyroid tissue remains in my body.
98% of people will have some tissue show up in the neck area because it is
almost impossible to get all the microscopic thyroid tissue with surgery. There
is a 10-30% chance that the ablation with RAI will be unsuccessful, in this
case additional treatments may be necessary. I am hoping not!
If all
is successful, I will start taking my thyroid medication and start the accent
into normal body functioning.
So there you have it! Sorry I was so long winded, but I think writing this all
out has been somewhat therapeutic!
