So I went to the Endo the other day. (who I LOVE by the way) She is really pretty anal about covering all the bases. I went for Vitamin D labs and am scheduled for a sestimibi scan next week. I asked her to look up my records because last time was such a blur I don't remember if I had a sestimibi. I did. It indicated nothing. But I did have an adenoma on a parathyroid and they removed one. So regardless of what the scan shows, I think they will be going back in to look for the bad one.
My calcium is holding at 10.1. My PTH is 113. My TSH is is .0937and my Tg is under .02 I am adding an extra pill a week to get that TSH under 9 where she would like it to be.
I am going to a different hospital to see a surgeon. My surgeon retired from surgery and does only research now. Her boss switched hospitals and he is really good. I think I would be more comfortable with him rather than the 3rd choice in the Dept at Northwestern. I guess it's going to be radio-guided minimally invasive surgery which sounds great to me. My biggest complaint was the sore throat from being intubated. Not the surgical site at all.
That's all for me. I am tired, really really tired. So tired that it's hard to function. Guess that all in the disease. I am still working midnights which make it even worse. I feel like I am never getting enough sleep.
I will update again when I have more info. And if I can figure out how to post a video, I have a really cute video of McKenna singing.
Ta Ta for Now!!!!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Friday, February 09, 2007
CANCER FREE CANCER FREE
Someone please pinch me. I am Thyroid Cancer free! The doctor just called to tell me I had a negative scan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't believe it.
I do have a parathyroid problem I flunked my 24 hour urine and assume I will subjected to a sestamibi scan and then Parathyroid surgery. How bad are my numbers? I don't know and she won't tell me anything until I see her. The bad news is that I can't get in to see her until the 23rd. I asked for this to be bumped up to ASAP and am still waiting to hear back from her.
No residual thyroid tissue, no lymph node involvement. YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
I can't believe she even said those words. I am so excited.
On the other hand, I know I will have to have surgery for sure so that isn't very exciting. My scar was looking really good darn it. Now I get to start all over again in that department. Also at the back of my brain is the rare possibility that it might be parathyroid cancer. It's rare but does happen. I am going to hope for the best right now until I hear otherwise!!!!!
I can't think of a song to label this post. LOL My brain is cooked. Oh well maybe my sense of humor will return tomorrow. :)
I do have a parathyroid problem I flunked my 24 hour urine and assume I will subjected to a sestamibi scan and then Parathyroid surgery. How bad are my numbers? I don't know and she won't tell me anything until I see her. The bad news is that I can't get in to see her until the 23rd. I asked for this to be bumped up to ASAP and am still waiting to hear back from her.
No residual thyroid tissue, no lymph node involvement. YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
I can't believe she even said those words. I am so excited.
On the other hand, I know I will have to have surgery for sure so that isn't very exciting. My scar was looking really good darn it. Now I get to start all over again in that department. Also at the back of my brain is the rare possibility that it might be parathyroid cancer. It's rare but does happen. I am going to hope for the best right now until I hear otherwise!!!!!
I can't think of a song to label this post. LOL My brain is cooked. Oh well maybe my sense of humor will return tomorrow. :)
Thursday, February 08, 2007
I'm RADIOACTIVE
RADIOACTIVE
The Firm
Well I'm not uptight
Not unattracted
Turn me on tonight
Cause I'm radioactive
Radioactive
There's not a fight
And I'm not your captive
Turn me loose tonight
Cause I'm radioactive
Radioactive
LOL, do we see a trend here? I swear everything I am feeling has a song to go with it.
This song reminds me of my first go round with RAI. LOL.
For those of you not "hip" to the Thyca stuff, yesterday I was given a small dose of Radioactive Iodine. I am officially RADIOACTIVE GIRL. I can leap tall buildings in a single bound. ROFL. Not really. But I am radioactive for my scan tomorrow.
I go in at 0715 which really means they will get to me about 0830. They are never on time, and they NEVER seem to keep you updated on how late they are actually running. Go figure.
Yesterday I had to go to the lab and drop off my pee. (24 hour urine for calcium and creatinin) and stopped at the bakery to get the lab girls some muffins. They are so nice and for the most part painless. I have come to know them all by their first names, they know all about my job, my kids, etc. Guess you can develop a relationship with them after several years and a jillion blood draws later. LOL
They were so excite to get the box. (muffins not pee) They all called me and left me a message thanking me because no one ever does anything nice for them. I am officially VIP there so no waiting for me from now on. :) See it pays to be nice.
After leaving the lab, I had to take the elevator down to 2 to take a different elevator up to 8. Sounds stupid but one elevator goes from LL - 13 and the other 14-21 you can take the 14-21 down but it doesn't stop anywhere but 2 for the parking garage and then the lobby. ( am I rambling?) I then jumped into an elevator to go up to 8. We started to move and then heard the announcement...."we are experiencing minor technical difficulties". Minor HAH! I was stuck in that elevator for 30 minutes. Of course I was cracking jokes because the other ladies seemed a little nervous. One was late for work and the other late for her procedure like me. When they finally pried the doors open we had to jump down about 4 feet. I wasn't nervous because we were stuck between 2 and 1 not too far to fall if it did. Plus I was used to falling elevators since the old elevator at Police Headquarters would fall just about everyday. Was interesting to see the prisoners reaction because it really used to catch them off guard. LOL I was telling my partner about my day yesterday and she said, "your life could be a sitcom" ROFL, and she is right.
I probably won't get any results from my scan tomorrow until Monday so I won't be holding my breath. I do know from last time not to cry because my tears are radioactive and when you wipe them on your neck it makes the scan look BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD
So goodnight all from RadioactiveGIRL.
Now Britney Spears "TOXIC" is running through my brain.
The Firm
Well I'm not uptight
Not unattracted
Turn me on tonight
Cause I'm radioactive
Radioactive
There's not a fight
And I'm not your captive
Turn me loose tonight
Cause I'm radioactive
Radioactive
LOL, do we see a trend here? I swear everything I am feeling has a song to go with it.
This song reminds me of my first go round with RAI. LOL.
For those of you not "hip" to the Thyca stuff, yesterday I was given a small dose of Radioactive Iodine. I am officially RADIOACTIVE GIRL. I can leap tall buildings in a single bound. ROFL. Not really. But I am radioactive for my scan tomorrow.
I go in at 0715 which really means they will get to me about 0830. They are never on time, and they NEVER seem to keep you updated on how late they are actually running. Go figure.
Yesterday I had to go to the lab and drop off my pee. (24 hour urine for calcium and creatinin) and stopped at the bakery to get the lab girls some muffins. They are so nice and for the most part painless. I have come to know them all by their first names, they know all about my job, my kids, etc. Guess you can develop a relationship with them after several years and a jillion blood draws later. LOL
They were so excite to get the box. (muffins not pee) They all called me and left me a message thanking me because no one ever does anything nice for them. I am officially VIP there so no waiting for me from now on. :) See it pays to be nice.
After leaving the lab, I had to take the elevator down to 2 to take a different elevator up to 8. Sounds stupid but one elevator goes from LL - 13 and the other 14-21 you can take the 14-21 down but it doesn't stop anywhere but 2 for the parking garage and then the lobby. ( am I rambling?) I then jumped into an elevator to go up to 8. We started to move and then heard the announcement...."we are experiencing minor technical difficulties". Minor HAH! I was stuck in that elevator for 30 minutes. Of course I was cracking jokes because the other ladies seemed a little nervous. One was late for work and the other late for her procedure like me. When they finally pried the doors open we had to jump down about 4 feet. I wasn't nervous because we were stuck between 2 and 1 not too far to fall if it did. Plus I was used to falling elevators since the old elevator at Police Headquarters would fall just about everyday. Was interesting to see the prisoners reaction because it really used to catch them off guard. LOL I was telling my partner about my day yesterday and she said, "your life could be a sitcom" ROFL, and she is right.
I probably won't get any results from my scan tomorrow until Monday so I won't be holding my breath. I do know from last time not to cry because my tears are radioactive and when you wipe them on your neck it makes the scan look BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD
So goodnight all from RadioactiveGIRL.
Now Britney Spears "TOXIC" is running through my brain.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
One Down One to Go
LOL. Is this Marikay's musical journey through cancer?
I really wasn't thinking of this song until I titled the post. Now it's running through my head.
One down one to go
Another town and one more show...
If you don't know it, it's Leave it by Yes. Now hopefully someone else will have it running through their brain today and it will leave mine.
Leaving for the hosptial in an hour and a half. I was up EAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARLY with a bad stomach. Don't know if it's from the shot or from the crap I ate yesterday. :) Another shot in the butt, (the bandaid coming off hurt worse) another poke in the arm (pregnancy test) and I should be home to rest. I am really hoping that the second shot isn't what kicks in and makes you feel like crap. LOL. I don't really want to feel like crap yet. The pregnancy test thing is funny. I know it's state law regulated by the government but my tubes were tied almost 4 years ago. Not pregnant. Not going to get pregnant. Just funny that they keep checking. What is another needle stick to a Thyroid Cancer patient? NOTHING. I am the human pin cushion. Blood draws don't bother me at all. Hell, I could probably do my own by now.
Talked to my mom yesterday. Apologized for getting mad at her when all she is trying to do is help. She pointed something out to me. I joke about my cancer and treatment all the time and I get upset when someone else does. She is exactly right. I guess the humor helps ME feel better. I own the cancer. Therefore I own the right to joke about it. :) Right? Not exactly. I know that cancer effects the entire family and circle of friends. I know that everyone is involved in it. Worried about it. Thinking about it.
If you are reading and you haven't called because I emailed that I couldn't talk. I am ok now to talk. If you want to call and check up on me please do. If you call my house and I am not home, ask for my cell phone number.
I will be going for my Low Dose tomorrow and then off to a hotel for overnight. On Thursday I will be going to my mom's to hang out for the day and then bring her home with me. She is the babysitter for Friday while I get scanned. The lonely part is about to begin. No one near me for a few days. It makes you appreciate how important touching is in our lives. Hugs,holding hands, a touch on the cheek, these are all things that people take for granted. Ask someone who has/had Thyroid Cancer and RAI treatment. I bet they don't. Not one hug, not one hand, not one touch.
Cancer really can be an eye opener, it makes you realize what is important in life. It makes you LIVE your life differently. It makes you appreciate what you have. It makes you count your blessings.
When I was one year out (cancer free) Tim the kids and I did the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Walk. It was a goal for me to get there. It was a goal for me to feel well enough to do it. We did it. For me. For my Dad. For Tim's Dad. For us. I can't help remember who walked with us. Family members wore white T-shirts, survivors wore Purple. As we walked I was amazed at who wore the Purple shirts. Grandmas, Moms, really young Moms, Black, White, Asian,Hispanic, Young, Old, CHILDREN and me. I realized at that point that Cancer chooses EVERYONE. It doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, or what color your skin is. Every type of person I could think of was there, in that group. It opened my eyes. Maybe next year after a clean scan I will do the walk again.
Love each other. Life is precious. Hug, kiss, touch each other. Today. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.
I really wasn't thinking of this song until I titled the post. Now it's running through my head.
One down one to go
Another town and one more show...
If you don't know it, it's Leave it by Yes. Now hopefully someone else will have it running through their brain today and it will leave mine.
Leaving for the hosptial in an hour and a half. I was up EAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARLY with a bad stomach. Don't know if it's from the shot or from the crap I ate yesterday. :) Another shot in the butt, (the bandaid coming off hurt worse) another poke in the arm (pregnancy test) and I should be home to rest. I am really hoping that the second shot isn't what kicks in and makes you feel like crap. LOL. I don't really want to feel like crap yet. The pregnancy test thing is funny. I know it's state law regulated by the government but my tubes were tied almost 4 years ago. Not pregnant. Not going to get pregnant. Just funny that they keep checking. What is another needle stick to a Thyroid Cancer patient? NOTHING. I am the human pin cushion. Blood draws don't bother me at all. Hell, I could probably do my own by now.
Talked to my mom yesterday. Apologized for getting mad at her when all she is trying to do is help. She pointed something out to me. I joke about my cancer and treatment all the time and I get upset when someone else does. She is exactly right. I guess the humor helps ME feel better. I own the cancer. Therefore I own the right to joke about it. :) Right? Not exactly. I know that cancer effects the entire family and circle of friends. I know that everyone is involved in it. Worried about it. Thinking about it.
If you are reading and you haven't called because I emailed that I couldn't talk. I am ok now to talk. If you want to call and check up on me please do. If you call my house and I am not home, ask for my cell phone number.
I will be going for my Low Dose tomorrow and then off to a hotel for overnight. On Thursday I will be going to my mom's to hang out for the day and then bring her home with me. She is the babysitter for Friday while I get scanned. The lonely part is about to begin. No one near me for a few days. It makes you appreciate how important touching is in our lives. Hugs,holding hands, a touch on the cheek, these are all things that people take for granted. Ask someone who has/had Thyroid Cancer and RAI treatment. I bet they don't. Not one hug, not one hand, not one touch.
Cancer really can be an eye opener, it makes you realize what is important in life. It makes you LIVE your life differently. It makes you appreciate what you have. It makes you count your blessings.
When I was one year out (cancer free) Tim the kids and I did the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Cancer Walk. It was a goal for me to get there. It was a goal for me to feel well enough to do it. We did it. For me. For my Dad. For Tim's Dad. For us. I can't help remember who walked with us. Family members wore white T-shirts, survivors wore Purple. As we walked I was amazed at who wore the Purple shirts. Grandmas, Moms, really young Moms, Black, White, Asian,Hispanic, Young, Old, CHILDREN and me. I realized at that point that Cancer chooses EVERYONE. It doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, or what color your skin is. Every type of person I could think of was there, in that group. It opened my eyes. Maybe next year after a clean scan I will do the walk again.
Love each other. Life is precious. Hug, kiss, touch each other. Today. No one is guaranteed tomorrow.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Sunday, February 04, 2007
The Waiting is the Hardest Part
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
Dont let it kill you baby, dont let it get to you
This is my theme song of the day. LOL. Tomorrow starts the week of waiting.
The schedule is Monday- Thyrogen shot
Tuesday - Thyrogen shot
Wednesday - Low dose of Radioactive Iodine
Thursday - Nothing
Friday - Scan I am sure I won't have the results until Monday.
I also have to squeeze in my bloodwork somewhere during the week since I asked the DR a week and a half ago to send the order to my house so I can go to the local lab instead of driving all the way to the hospital and paying for parking. When did it arrive? Yesterday. At 2pm. What time does the local lab close? 1pm. ROFL. Perfect timing. Now that I will be spending 4 out of 5 days at the hospital, I might as well get it done there. Why make an additional trip to the lab now when the hospital has a lab. LOL
I got mad at my mom today. After Wednesday I should keep my distance from everyone especially the kids. I was trying to figure out how this will be best to do and I was talking about where I will decide to keep myself. She suggested the basement. Is this crazy or what? I am the one with CANCER. I am the one who is stressed out beyond belief. I am the one who will be feeling like total DOGSHIT. I am the one who should be treated nice. Guess today is where being lonely starts. No one can come near me, no one can comfort me, no one can really understand unless they have been there. Yes folks it's true. At the lowest point in your life, you aren't allowed to touch anyone. No one can hug you or hold your hand. When you cry, your tears are Radioactive. Isn't that sad. It makes me really very sad and lonely. I am thinking about possibly going to stay at a hotel or something so that no one is freaked out about it. I didn't have to do that 2 years ago but I guess with McKenna being older, it might be harder to keep her away from me. I just don't know what to do. Maybe I will just go stay at my mom's house. It just really sucks that the when you need the people around you the most, you can't be around them.
So sing it with me now everyone...........................
The waiting is the hardest part....................every day you get one more card......... :)
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part
Dont let it kill you baby, dont let it get to you
This is my theme song of the day. LOL. Tomorrow starts the week of waiting.
The schedule is Monday- Thyrogen shot
Tuesday - Thyrogen shot
Wednesday - Low dose of Radioactive Iodine
Thursday - Nothing
Friday - Scan I am sure I won't have the results until Monday.
I also have to squeeze in my bloodwork somewhere during the week since I asked the DR a week and a half ago to send the order to my house so I can go to the local lab instead of driving all the way to the hospital and paying for parking. When did it arrive? Yesterday. At 2pm. What time does the local lab close? 1pm. ROFL. Perfect timing. Now that I will be spending 4 out of 5 days at the hospital, I might as well get it done there. Why make an additional trip to the lab now when the hospital has a lab. LOL
I got mad at my mom today. After Wednesday I should keep my distance from everyone especially the kids. I was trying to figure out how this will be best to do and I was talking about where I will decide to keep myself. She suggested the basement. Is this crazy or what? I am the one with CANCER. I am the one who is stressed out beyond belief. I am the one who will be feeling like total DOGSHIT. I am the one who should be treated nice. Guess today is where being lonely starts. No one can come near me, no one can comfort me, no one can really understand unless they have been there. Yes folks it's true. At the lowest point in your life, you aren't allowed to touch anyone. No one can hug you or hold your hand. When you cry, your tears are Radioactive. Isn't that sad. It makes me really very sad and lonely. I am thinking about possibly going to stay at a hotel or something so that no one is freaked out about it. I didn't have to do that 2 years ago but I guess with McKenna being older, it might be harder to keep her away from me. I just don't know what to do. Maybe I will just go stay at my mom's house. It just really sucks that the when you need the people around you the most, you can't be around them.
So sing it with me now everyone...........................
The waiting is the hardest part....................every day you get one more card......... :)
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