Thursday, I went to Vanderbilt to meet with a specialist. I have been meaning to write ever since, and I'm sorry for those of you who have been praying for me but have heard no news. I'll start with bare facts, and see where this leads after that.
The specialist agrees that there is cancer somewhere still. So now it's a matter of finding it. On January 30, I'll have a PET scan, a neck CT and a chest CT. The three places radioactive iodine resistant thyroid cancer can be expected to be found is in the neck, the chest, and/or the bones.
Once the cancer is located, some more decisions will be able to be made. Where it is, what size, what it's near... all of those things will be considered.
The fatality rate of thyroid cancer is incredibly low. The doctor is not concerned for my immediate health, but instead is focusing on a plan to track and, if necessary, treat the cancer. If it isn't growing, it's growing slowly, isn't endangering any organs... then treatment will be delayed.
The treatment would be for me take a chemotherapy pill. But the side effects of it are hard on the body. So if I can go without treatment, that is the path we will take, for as long as we can.
Some patients in my situation have to start the chemotherapy pill right away. Others don't take it for years. My doctor has one patient who was diagnosed 30 years ago and in all that time, there's been no change and she is not taking chemotherapy.
I don't know for sure what I feel. There's a bit of anxiety. And...a jumble that I can't sort out right now.
I know I'm thankful for the people God is surrounding me with right now. My family is precious to me. I have friends who are wrapping me up in love. I know there are SO many people praying for me. I'm very blessed.
It's hard to say more. I know I'm usually more verbal, and I'm sure I will be again as time goes on. Thank you for your prayers and your friendship. I cherish them both.
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