So Lindsay's Thyroidectmy was quite an extensive procedure. To the doctor's surprise the tumor on her lymph-node "grew" into her esophagus and was bigger than anticipated. Her surgery lasted about seven hours as opposed to the expected three. Her whole thyroid was removed, as well as a cancerous lymph-node.
Her recovery, because of the more aggressive nature of her surgery has taken a little longer, and her voice will be permanently changed, (unable to project, very quiet) because the surgeon had to sever a voice-box nerve to get the tumor out. Her right eye may have also sustained some nerve damage and is a bit lazy. She has graciously accepted these things however, as these small complications are the least of our worries.
Her incision runs from the middle of her neck to just behind her right ear. It is larger than most normal thyroidectomy's because the metastic properties of her cancer. The removal of the lymph-node gave reason for a "neck dissection" ( a longer incision).
The endocrinologist confirmed the type of cancer (papillary) after the microscopic reports on the tissues removed from Lindsay's neck. He said there were no surprises, which was quite a relief as I was personally worried that it had moved to the esophagus. He assured us that it was not out of the ordinary, and that Lindsay's prognosis remained very good.
The next step of attack with be a radio-active iodine tablet to be ingested in four weeks. As Thyroid tissue is the only cellular structure in the body that cares about iodine, the plan is to put Lindsay on a very low-iodine diet. This method will get the remaining Thyroid tissue working so hard for iodine that her cells work overtime to gobble up the radiation in the tablets, and kill the tissue. The treatment is quite non-invasive and most people handle very well (little to no side effects) She will have to be sequestered for 24 hours or more, because the radiation levels will be extremely high. ( Maybe she will get a super-power ) But, physical contact for a few days after will have to be avoided.
They say Papillary Cancer is the "best" cancer to get, and we are grateful for the positive prognosis. But this is truly a surreal and serious experience. Lindsay and I are welcoming the beauties and challenges of living cancer-free.
Auntie B said it is about "changing the environment of the body and mind" and I would encourage all of you, whom I love, to do the same. We can all live better.
Lindsay & Phay
Her recovery, because of the more aggressive nature of her surgery has taken a little longer, and her voice will be permanently changed, (unable to project, very quiet) because the surgeon had to sever a voice-box nerve to get the tumor out. Her right eye may have also sustained some nerve damage and is a bit lazy. She has graciously accepted these things however, as these small complications are the least of our worries.
Her incision runs from the middle of her neck to just behind her right ear. It is larger than most normal thyroidectomy's because the metastic properties of her cancer. The removal of the lymph-node gave reason for a "neck dissection" ( a longer incision).
The endocrinologist confirmed the type of cancer (papillary) after the microscopic reports on the tissues removed from Lindsay's neck. He said there were no surprises, which was quite a relief as I was personally worried that it had moved to the esophagus. He assured us that it was not out of the ordinary, and that Lindsay's prognosis remained very good.
The next step of attack with be a radio-active iodine tablet to be ingested in four weeks. As Thyroid tissue is the only cellular structure in the body that cares about iodine, the plan is to put Lindsay on a very low-iodine diet. This method will get the remaining Thyroid tissue working so hard for iodine that her cells work overtime to gobble up the radiation in the tablets, and kill the tissue. The treatment is quite non-invasive and most people handle very well (little to no side effects) She will have to be sequestered for 24 hours or more, because the radiation levels will be extremely high. ( Maybe she will get a super-power ) But, physical contact for a few days after will have to be avoided.
They say Papillary Cancer is the "best" cancer to get, and we are grateful for the positive prognosis. But this is truly a surreal and serious experience. Lindsay and I are welcoming the beauties and challenges of living cancer-free.
Auntie B said it is about "changing the environment of the body and mind" and I would encourage all of you, whom I love, to do the same. We can all live better.
Lindsay & Phay
