On Valentine’s Day 2013 I was given the news, I heard that horrible ”C” word. My doctor had told me I had Thyroid Cancer. As I sat on the other end of the line thinking this is it my life is over I’m going to die, my doctor was telling me all the steps and procedures that I was going to have to go through. She kept telling me it was going to be okay, out of all the cancers this was the one to get. It was papillary carcinoma the good of the bad. I didn’t care, it was CANCER and I was scared. As days went on I was accepting all this more and more. On February 28th I had a total thyroidectomy, my entire thyroid was removed. I was so worried about the surgery. When I woke up in the recovery room, I couldn’t believe they had taken it out already. My throat was sore to talk, and my neck was in a little pain but not bad. Come to find out the surgery lasted 45 minutes. The surgery was at 7:30 AM by 12PM I was eating Italian ice and jello. I was feeling great considering I just had major surgery. I was up walking around, my voice came back by 9PM, and that’s when I was sent home. I was so happy I did not have to spend the night in the hospital. The recovery was great! I was sore of course for about 3 weeks. I took the pain meds for 2 days then tried to go without them and I was good. I was up walking around the second day. I was determined, and I had a TON of positive supporters. I think that is the main key STAY POSITIVE! I did get tired throughout the day, so I took naps. It did feel weird to swallow for about 2 weeks. But overall the surgery and recovery was not bad at all. I was so worried and nervous, and honestly it was a breeze. For the record this was my first ever surgery. AND my incision looks great! You can hardly see it and it has only been a little over 3 weeks. Now the next step is…. radioactive-iodine…. this I am not too thrilled about. BUT if this is what it takes to make me cancer free then full speed ahead! Today I started my low-iodine diet, which is a lot of fruits and veggies. The plus to this is I will learn how to eat healthy. My doctor wants me to do this diet for 4 weeks. So that my body will really absorb all the radioactive-iodine. I haven’t heard what my restrictions are going to be once I start my treatment. I will post again once I make it though that. I just stay positive and look at everything for the good. Yes this diet sucks, and I will have had a radiation treatment. BUT, I will be a lot healthier than I was, and the best thing to look forward to is being cancer free!
Shana
Illinois
Submitted 3-25-13
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This article is intended to convey general educational information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.