The Bad News Keeps Coming

[MyBabyBunnies]

Unfortunately I can't seem to catch a break. It's been a really bad year for my close family and my animals.

In January one of my blood tests showed something a little off so by chance they sent me for an ultrasound to make sure nothing was going on. Well they found a nodule on my thyroid. They gave me2 choices, either do a biopsy or just wait and watch because most thyroid nodules are harmless. I opted for the biopsy because of a family history of issues. Now 7 months after this whole ordeal started, I finally have definitive answers.

This morning I was told that I have thyroid cancer.:tears2:The prognosis right now seems good. I don't know a whole lot, I just know I will be seeing a specialist soon but we caught it early. I was also told that if you could pick a cancer to have, this is the type you can due tohow curable it is.I'm just really scared, as prepared as I thought I was to hear that news, it still shook me up good. At 21 years old, cancer is not something you ever expect to hear.

 

[aurora369]

Oh no! I'm so sorry... what horrible news.

You will be in my thoughts. At least you have being young and otherwise healthy on your side.

--Dawn

 

[Flashy]

I too am very sorry.

Life certainly likes to throw things at people all at once.

It's good its a vry curable one, but equally, that probably doesn't help when you're terrified out of your mind after hearing the big C word.

I'll be thinking about you and hoping all things positive hppane from now on!

Look after yourself and keep us uptodate if you can.

 

[dquesnel]

That is frightening news and I am really sorry it has happened to you. I am glad it was caught at the time that it was. I hope the ordeal goes by quickly for you, keep us posted on how things go.

 

[kirsterz09]

I'm sorry to hear of such frightening news and agree at 21 it's not something you want to hear.
However I'm glad to hear that it is curable and I hope that all goes well for you and that you will be back on your feet again soon :hug2:

 

[JadeIcing]

*hugs* I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[slavetoabunny]

I sorry you are having to go through such a frightening time. Don't be afraid to lean on your RO friends for support. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

I am so sorry hugs to you. I know at any age you dont want to hear the c word, but i am happy that it is such a curable form, and like Patti said you also have your young age on your side too, and that is good, well as good as cancer can be. We are here for you to lean on like what was said, please lean on us if you need to rant , or are just feeling down or anything. hugs to you

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

You are in my thoughts I could not imagen. Your in my thoughts and I hope you come out of this a stronger person.

Please keep us updated about whats going on.

 

[tonyshuman]

I am so sorry. This must be so scary to hear. However, the fact that it is one of the types with a better prognosis should be comforting. I had a friend in college with Hodgkin's lymphoma (which is also one with a better prognosis that seems to occur more in younger people) and I've seen several older family members also deal with cancer and chemotherapy. He was able to continue going to a few classes, even during the time he was getting chemo, because he was younger and stronger than most people getting the treatment. It certainly wasn't a picnic, but he kept living in the dorm and was only out of commision for a day or two at a time, unlike my aunt who had chemo and was couch-bound for months. I'm not sure if this is helpful stuff to say, but the fact that you're young will help a lot.

 

[BlueGiants]

:hug::hug::hug: Thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.

 

[Pet_Bunny]

Oh Laura, I am sad something like this is happening to you. You have so much going for you and hope things will work out fine.

Stan :hug2:

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

Thanks everyone. Right now the hardest thing for me is the not knowing. I know very little right now and that is the scariest part. I will hopefully feel better once I see the specialist and get more details.

Besides that, the hardest thing is telling people. I can't just keep it to myself, they will notice me missing from class, etc. So instead of skirting the issue, I have decided to just straight up tell everyone. So far this is proving harder than I thought, I can't keep it together when other break down. On Tuesday I will be going for dinner with a bunch of my friends and I will be telling them all at once, I think this will be the hardest so far because so far, I have only told people who knew what I was going through before. This will be the first time I have to tell people that have no clue what is coming.

I'm staying positive but cancer is a very frightening word no matter what. I realise now that you never really know how you would feel getting this kind of news until you get it.

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I have been extremely busy and not around at all since we're having computer issues and stuff...... I am so sorry I missed this.

"hugs" to you and know that my docs say "If you have to get cancer.... get thyroid cancer!" cause I am on the "watch" situation myself. I have a large lump along my neck and it was "undetermined" from the biopsy. I have to get tested again.... and I have avoided it

Anyhow, I am thinking of you and hope that things are going better for you!

 

[BethM]

ray:

:hug:

 

[Pipp]

YIKES!!! I missed this too!! (Vision issues).

How traumatic. I'll be thinking of you and sending best wishes and warm and fuzzy thoughts. Wish I could do more.

And yes, I know what you mean about telling people. I'm fine if a lose a pet or person as long as I don't have to tell somebody, then I burst into tears.

:hug2:


sas :tears2:

 

[pamnock]

Keeping you in my prayers. I know a man who recently recovered from thyroid cancer, and I hope your story will also have a very happy ending. ray:



Pam

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

Thank you everyone. I have now told everyone so at least that is otu of the way. I'm doing ok, but I have basically pushed this from my mind at the time being. But I am getting a little fed up with our medical system. It's taken 7 months to get a biopsy and results and despite my doctor's reassurance that they take this seriously and treat it as fast as they can, I am not hopeful for that. It's been 2 weeks and I have not heard a word from the specialist as to when I will have an appointment. When you have to deal with something like this, you realise how bad our system really is.

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

So I got a call at 8 this morning and was told to be at the University Hospital at 12:30 for an appointment. Lucky for us that I was home today and not at work or no one would have gotten that message until it was too late.

Anyways, got in to see the specialist. They will be removing my entire thyroid and part of my lymph nodes and they have to make a 6-7cm incision on my neck, yikes.

They told me that there is about a 1% chance of the vocal chords being permanently damaged, which may seem small but the chances of me actually having thyroid cancer at this point in my life was far less than 1% so... it's possible.

I have to stay in at least one night after surgery. Possibly more if my calcium levels are too low.

So I am booked in for surgery on October 2.

After that I will be booked in for an appointment at the Cross Cancer Institute where they will determine if I need chemo/radiation. Basically only if the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes which is very common.

It's a lot of information to take in all at once. But at least I am getting closer to a resolution.

 

[Haley]

Laura, Im just seeing this and wanted to tell you you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Will you have to miss a lot of class for the surgery? I will praying it goes well.
*hugs*