2 Months
Well... I haven't been on in a while, but there's a reason for that..well, other than my natural laziness, of course.
Today marks 2 months since I had surgery to remove my thyroid and about 29 lymph nodes in my neck. I found out right after Christmas that I have papillary thyroid cancer. Ho Ho Ho. I now have a lovely permanent necklace that goes from right behind my right ear, across my throat to just below my left ear. I also am completely numb in the incision area and the entire right side of my head. I can't even begin to explain how incredibly weird it is to not be able to feel your ear.
All things considered, everything has gone well so far. I still have to have a radioactive iodine treatment next month, at which time apparently I'm going to be my own night light for five days. But, after the treatment, that's it. Just really maintenance and thyroid meds for the rest of my life.
I just can't wait until I'm comfortable again and can get a full night's sleep. Right now, I have considerable scar tissue forming and lymph edema in my neck, so I'm stiff and sore and I can't lie flat. You know, you don't really realize how much you use your neck muscles until it's really difficult to use them at all! I had been told a lot of things to expect, but it's really the little things that you don't realize until they happen. Not being able to get a hair cut because you can't lean your neck back in the sink, having a really hard time washing your hair because you have to lean forward in the shower instead of back; and you can't even really do that for too long because it's uncomfortable; having to sleep propped up and not being able to turn on your side; just turning to look at something becomes something you really have to think about and of course, there's driving. I drive to work and home and to physical therapy, but that's really it. Can't do anything longer, because I can't really turn all that well.
I don't mean to bitch and whine... this is the first time I've really talked all that much about it. I just am tired of feeling constantly uncomfortable and tired. And I realize that I have it a lot better than some people, but, every now and then you just have to get crap off your chest. I just try to keep thinking, that this time next year, hopefully this will all seem like a distant dream. I can celebrate a year cancer-free. And that will be awesome.
Today marks 2 months since I had surgery to remove my thyroid and about 29 lymph nodes in my neck. I found out right after Christmas that I have papillary thyroid cancer. Ho Ho Ho. I now have a lovely permanent necklace that goes from right behind my right ear, across my throat to just below my left ear. I also am completely numb in the incision area and the entire right side of my head. I can't even begin to explain how incredibly weird it is to not be able to feel your ear.
All things considered, everything has gone well so far. I still have to have a radioactive iodine treatment next month, at which time apparently I'm going to be my own night light for five days. But, after the treatment, that's it. Just really maintenance and thyroid meds for the rest of my life.
I just can't wait until I'm comfortable again and can get a full night's sleep. Right now, I have considerable scar tissue forming and lymph edema in my neck, so I'm stiff and sore and I can't lie flat. You know, you don't really realize how much you use your neck muscles until it's really difficult to use them at all! I had been told a lot of things to expect, but it's really the little things that you don't realize until they happen. Not being able to get a hair cut because you can't lean your neck back in the sink, having a really hard time washing your hair because you have to lean forward in the shower instead of back; and you can't even really do that for too long because it's uncomfortable; having to sleep propped up and not being able to turn on your side; just turning to look at something becomes something you really have to think about and of course, there's driving. I drive to work and home and to physical therapy, but that's really it. Can't do anything longer, because I can't really turn all that well.
I don't mean to bitch and whine... this is the first time I've really talked all that much about it. I just am tired of feeling constantly uncomfortable and tired. And I realize that I have it a lot better than some people, but, every now and then you just have to get crap off your chest. I just try to keep thinking, that this time next year, hopefully this will all seem like a distant dream. I can celebrate a year cancer-free. And that will be awesome.