So its not a great news flash seeing I posted about it in someone else's thread and I was going to post about things in detail on Friday after my appointment with the surgeon but the long story short is I have cancer and I have been having treatment for the past month. I was going to do a thread in the health threads but with my kid spying on me from time to time I figured this would be the better place as I will post as things change and happen because I will need an outlet.

So lets get the good news out there first: This is the good cancer to get, even if its stage 4 there is a 95% success rate with treatment. So I need to suck it up, take my medicine, and I'm going to be fine in a few months. Might have to miss the softball season but I'll be back next year.

 

Diagnosis: Not formal yet (which is why I was waiting for Friday) but has been suggested stage 3 at least because I have secondaries.

 

So What I have been open about: I had some test, I had some more tests, they found I had Graves Disease (Autoimmune hyperthyroidism) and nodes. My medicine sucks and as some nasty side effects. I was (edit) supposed to be on the medicine for 2 years and an altered diet. (EDIT) I got a second opinion because my GP wasn't happy with this.

 

What I have been hiding: My GP was not happy with the treatment plan and insisted on me getting a second opinion. Nodes = tumors, they can be benign or cancerous. My last lot of tests showed 6 'nodes' on the thyroid gland, 1 on one of the parathyroid gland and at least one in the lymph glands in my neck, underarm and groin. I have been having a low dose chemo medication for a month which has ulcerated my mouth and tongue. I have been taking a medication to reduce the rate of thyroxin being produced by my lumpy thyroid gland, I have heart issues where it beats out of control for no reason until I black out and then its back to a normal rhythm. But the worst side effects are those of the thyroid meds... they put me on an 8 hour emotional roller coaster that has seen me house bound with anxiety issues for a month or so (lucky can work from home). This whole process has been in the works since Easter. In that time, my bosses decided to close their company and I was made redundant ... considering my health issues I am not having much success with the job hunt.

 

I will not know until Friday what treatment options they are going with but there will be surgery (removal of thyroid gland, removal of parathyroid gland and removal of lymph glands affected), chances are there will be radiation treatment but sure which type, and there might be some more chemo. Long term I will be on thyroid medicine for life, no biggy once you get the dosage right, and I will need to monitor my heart because we are not sure how badly it has been damaged.

 

I'm not posting this for sympathy or such because its a common cancer, its very treatable, I have more chance of dying from the flu this winter. But for me, and my acceptance of the status quo and moving forward I need this to be out there. ALSO I'm likely to be a bit more wobbly than your average 7 month quit person so don't be surprised if I sos or rant, its on the cards. I'd be lying if I didn't say the nicob1tch has been in my ears, mate I have cancer you think that beast is tempting me with every stupid thing on earth to pick up a smoke and have it. Having my quit to focus on is important because for the next little while there is not going to be much I can control, including my emotions, but what I can control is if I smoke or not... and its a NOPE philosophy for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 3, 20188 yr by notsmokinjo
I really should proof read.

You know we are all here behind you 100% Jo! You will get through this with the support of loved ones and great medical care. Please know you are in our prayers and we will be thinking of you as your treatment journey moves forward. You know where to come for your quit support. Remember, SOS is your life saver and you can always PM any of us. Wishing only the best outcome for you dear friend. Please keep us updated after Friday.

Thanks for the update jo and im glad there are positives there.  You know we are all here for you, anytime.

So sorry to read that you have to deal with this Jo, but glad to read that it is very treatable. Wishing for the best of outcomes for you. Thanks for sharing it.

Edited July 3, 20188 yr by Joe7

Im so sorry to learn it's cancer jo but so glad to hear it's got a 95% cure rate. I too am here for you so please reach out to us if you need an ear to rant too. Big hugs to you and I'm so glad you got that second opinion!

Sorry Buttocks. Thats bad news indead. But you will bounce back strong in no time. Im with you lad

Cancer sucks, but I am glad to hear that it is curable even if they are unsure of the complete treatment path there is light at the end of that tunnel. Your quit is solid and you've got this Cancer beat. ?

 

Sorry you have to go through all this, NSJo...but get through it you will! We are here whenever you need to rant and rave! 

Something to make you smile...

 

 

We all love you so much, Jo.

Remember to reward yourself, especially now and throughout your treatment.

 

Thank you for posting all of this.  Your experience will help others, people we don't even see.

This is an awesome gift.

 

Remember to Breathe.  Remember all of us surround you and cheer you on. 

Thank you for all you do, for who you are.

I am so proud of you and your marvelous quit.

Love,

Sally

Jo sweetheart.... I am saddened to hear you are having to deal with this...

The good news is...you will fight this...and the success rate is very high.....dam ....cancer you suck.....

You have a army behind you...willing you every step of the way....

We will support you...in any way you need us....

Hugs and kisses....one day at a time sweetie xxxxxxx

In one corner, we have cancer.  In the other corner, we have an awesome Aussie chick who is tough, stubborn, and a little bit crazy.  My money is on Jo in this fight.

 

Best wishes Ozzy.  Some people are just built to handle the storms of life.  You're one of those people.

I'm not here often, jo, but I found this thread and wanted to throw in my well wishes.  I've admired your spunk and kind heart as you reach out to others, and now it's time to give yourself the benefit of all that positive energy you've been carrying around.  It may not be easy and certainly not fun, but you've got this, and you also have a large group of friends sprinkled all over the world who are ready to back you up and cheer you on as you come through this stronger and better than ever -- no doubt.

Thinking of you heaps Jo. I am stuck in hospital at present and reading your post along with other members support is very uplifting. Hang in there and I pray for a better outcome for you ?

Best wishes to you Jo I hope you kick the Cancers Azz.

8 hours ago, DCCXXVII said:

Thinking of you heaps Jo. I am stuck in hospital at present and reading your post along with other members support is very uplifting. Hang in there and I pray for a better outcome for you ?

 

@DCCXXVII I'm sorry to hear you are in hospital. I hope things are looking good and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jo, I read the whole thread now, such amazing strength from you, and such awesome support from this community. It's a win win situation my friend.

You're gonna sail through this like the seasoned seafaring sailor you are (so many s's) 

 

Big hug to you, lots of love and prayers, and thanks for sharing...Hope always needs reinforcement, and I know your story will do that for a lot of others.

Jo, so sorry I am just now seeing this...we will be with you each step of the way.  You are a treasured member here and I am so glad you shared with us.  You know you can beat this, and when it is hard along the way, count on us!

I’m sorry (((( jo))))! You’re right, though, thyroid cancer is very treatable with great responses to treatment worldwide. It doesn’t matter though, does it?  A diagnosis of any cancer is devastating and a punch to the gut & heart.    We are here for you.  We will give you strength, hope, punching bags, prayers (if you want) &  ourselves when you need to lean on someone even if virtual.   Now, go kick this C in the a$$!!!  

I am so sorry to hear this, Jo.  You are a real treasure to this site and have helped and inspired many here and we are all here for you too.  I'm sure you will beat this. 

 

SOS, rant, or do whatever you need to keep this quit and win this fight - we will be here with you.

Jo, so very sorry to read this.  If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to reach out.  We just adore you here and I have no doubt you will kick cancers azz!

Jo sorry to hear about your health issues, glad to hear your strong spirit come through in the post.....you are a fighter and you got this!!!

Lisa

Edited July 4, 20188 yr by Frezflops
Stupid autocorrect

Sorry to read about this and am praying you receive some positive news today. You definitely have a whole community of support behind you!!! You're spirit is amazing and you are amazing!!!

Hope Friday went ok Jo

Thanks everyone for the support, its appreciated.

 

Well we all better buckle in for at least 2 more months of insanity. The appointments yesterday were not the best (meaning I didn't hear what I wanted to hear) but they weren't all bad.

 

Diagnosis: Stage 3 Medullary Thyroid Cancer.

 

Treatment Plan: Remove Thyroid, radiation treatment, possibly chemo then HRT for life because I have no thyroid.

 

Problems: Due to the effect the excess thyroxin in my system is having on my heart  (the thyroid controls hormones that get sent to the heart to help tell it how to do its thing... well they are being sent in the wrong concentrations) and how uncontrolled it is the anesthetist and the cardiologist both want to hold of surgery. So I have to keep going with the meds and hope that improves the cardiac events for the next 2 months. In that time, because the cardiac events give me blackouts I have to surrender my license. So lots of blood tests over the next 2 months and fortnightly ultrasounds of the tumors to make sure they aren't growing or doing anything worrying. For now the oncologist is happy to wait... which, despite the diagnosis, has to be a good thing.

 

I'm pretty bummed I had to hand in my license because that really isolates me but seeing as they can't get the medicine at the right levels so I'm not bat shit crazy all the time its not like I need it. There are buses and trains and trams... I can get by. I have to get the cardiologist to sign a medical release for me to have it back and my next appointment with him is in 2 months.

 

I feel like I really am in a holding pattern, need to fix this to fix that to fix the problem I went there with in the first place. Oh well it will be fine when its fine. Just playing the waiting game.

I'm sorry you have to go through this, I can't imagine.  We're all here for you every step of the way!