SO...They found this lump

Blkvoodoo

Blkvoodoo

professionally useless
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Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Location
Archer Lodge
....in my neck, right side just above the clavical (collar bone) it was a "node" on my thyroid, thought to be a "goiterus cyst" .

Regular Dr sent me to an ENT ( Ear Nose Throat Dr. ) who in turn wanted to cut me open ASAP, ( 2 min into the exam and his statement was " This has got to come out! ") I being the rather argumentitive guy I am, said, " How 'bout we find out what "THIS" is before we start cutting holes in me ? "
THis wasn't exactly a favored response, but dude chilled out after a little discussion.

THere were :fine needle asperations" ( 6" needle with ahuge syringe) and "Strobe 'O Scopes", Ultra sounds and CAT scan. nothing diffinitive found, no big deal ( but "THIS" still needs to come out) so I waited 6 mos.


IT seems go grow a bit larger, to the point I could feel it when I nodded my head forward.

Ok, so let's see what " THIS" is, went back the the ENT, ( Who BTW is part of the Wake Med/UHC insurance thing) so now I get to go to a third Dr, whom I chose from a previous proceedure done 3 years ago. Now I'm dealling with REX.
Mar 26, I am in to have a "partial Thryroid lobectomy" which by and large, goes with out a hitch, BUT......

Once in, they find that the "Node" on the right side of the thyroid actually hides behind, and is actually massed over on the left side of my neck and attched to my trachia.
8 oz of "mass" and a thyroid laterand an over night stay in ICU at REX, I have a zipper neck ( 6 staples to close the incision) and a future date with an Endocrinologist AND an Onocologist.
Pappilary Carcinoma of the Thyroid is what it's called, in short Cancer.

OK, now the wife is in a tizzy, almost a full tilt wig fest ( not happy in the least). She lost her mother to cancer last spring, so she's really scared.
IF there is a cancer to have and recover from, it is this, so we are told. But it's gonna be a battle.

As of April 9th, I have been on a "Low Iodine" diet, no egg's bread, milk, seafood.any prepared foods with salt in them ( most all) as most salt is Iodized. Fresh water fish I can have, been eating a lot of trout and catfish. Can also drink all the beer and soda I can handle ( hmmm, Guiness, a meal in a glass....BRILLIANT ! )

This is in preperation for a Radioactive Iodine dose to kill what ever remaining thyroid cells there are left. Then I am on synthectic thyroid hormone for the rest of my life. ( Yippee !!) :bounce2: :bounce:

The Radio Iodine treatment will leave me radioactive for about 4 days, to an unsafe level to anyone else, so I have to be away from my child (especially) and the wife for those days, and can't be with in 4ft of anyone else for a prolonged period (less than an hour) with out possible harm to them.

Hopefully this will take place next week. ( I SO want to get this over with) and I have a place set up to stay where I'll be away from direct contact with most folks. Thanks guys, you know who you are :huggy: :beer:

And THEN, to get the cancer, oh yes, it's still there, 5 weeks of 5 days a week DIRECT radiation treatments ( my shit's gonna glow) [homer voice] DOH [/homer voice]
I figure by mid June early July, I'm gonna be one crabby SOB, and probably not much fun to be around. But, it'll get better.... right ?

SO why am I posting this?

Well, LISTEN to the DR's, but don't be afraid to Challenge them, I was given a 90% good-10% bad prognosis, which I gambled with and lost ( good thing I don't play the lottery) never really had any "good luck" anyway.

Be aware of your body, I knew the lump was there, been there for a long time, never thought anything about it. Turns out, it was causing all sorts of issues I wasn't associating it with. ( headaches, racing heart, and a host of other things)

Also, typing all this out, has helped me deal with it, I feel better.

I feel beeter physically after the thyriod removal, but the treatments are gonna knock me down, not looking forward to that. ( this low iodine diet is kickin my butt too, I'm feelin it at the end of the day)

thanks for listening, may the shwartz be with you !

BTW, REX Hospital ROCKS !! , they have been very cool, easy to work with and the ICU gals are top notch !! ( I was a rare case that could actually move and talk, so it was a treat for them)
 
You are on our prayer list.

While you are "one crabby SOB" don't take it out on your family -- have a code word they can use that means, nicely, "shut up, you are a crabby SOB today". Be sure that your family understands that sometimes you need somebody, sometimes you need your time and space.

Good luck, hope all goes well, and keep us posted!!!
 
sorry to hear about this man, you and your family will be in our prayers. Hope you have a quick and speedy recovery.

Zack
 
Hope you get better soon.
As for the Meal in a glass, hit me up anytime.
I can happily drink several in a lot less than the hour alotted to hang out and buy your pints. :D
(Well, a couple of pints, unless it's PBR, then prolly a lot of pints :D )


Anywho, good luck with everything.
 
Good luck and keep active. They say activity is good to keep the radiation flowing. SO, dont be a couch potato if you can walk, walk! Will add you to the prayers at night!
 
Good luck bud, I went through my bout w/ Cancer last year......

It will suck big time @ times, but you can get through it w/ support & any sense of humor you can muster w/ those around you.

Laughter & prayer go a long ways.

D.
 
Not sure if it's the same thing my brother had, but it sure sounmds like it. Thyroid, Neck, Cancer... that was 8 years ago, and I often forget about it. He had a full revocery, I wish you the same!

Brent
 
Kevin,
Let use know if you need anything We are going through a similar thing right now and my wife is almost done with her treatment. Hang in there
 
good luck man. Hope you all the best! :beer:
 
Damn, sorry to hear that man.
My thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with you.

If there is anything we can do to help let us know. The radiation is draining and will take it toll, but its effects are a little easier to deal with than Chemo, from my experience.


God Bless, keep us posted.
 
So, do we start calling you "Nuke?"

Personal experience tells me you've probably already discovered you're looking at your own mortality nowdays, and that everything in your life is taking on a different character in your thoughts.

And you've probably heard all the "screw the flashlight, bring Voodoo in here" or the "don't get near any large objects. You might reach critical mass." Or as my daughter told me, "Now when the power goes out while you're sitting on the toilet, you won't need a flashlight to finish reading that 4WD magazine."

Remember, there are a bunch of people here, and that means resources. Just throw it out here and somebody will have what you need, even if it's guaranteed to be accompanied by some smart-mouth.

I'm close to the Applewhite/Lake Wendell intersection at our search team chief's home several times a month. My email addy is in the profile, so don't hesitate to ask me to detour, especially if there's a Guinness involved.
 
Good luck Kevin. As several have said if you or your family need anything, just ask. You and your family are in our prayers.
 
Damn, dude, that sucks! For sure let us know if you need anything. You'll be in our prayers.
 
So, do we start calling you "Nuke?"
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If you feel the need, anyone know where I can get one of those gag light bulbs, a nice Uncle Fester imitation should be good for a show.


Personal experience tells me you've probably already discovered you're looking at your own mortality nowdays, and that everything in your life is taking on a different character in your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Actually, yes, I have, and I don't like the feeling, my daughter is 3.5 years old, I want to be there when she's 35

Remember, there are a bunch of people here, and that means resources. Just throw it out here and somebody will have what you need, even if it's guaranteed to be accompanied by some smart-mouth.
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I'm already finding this out, I can handle the lip, god knows I dish out enough.

I'm close to the Applewhite/Lake Wendell intersection at our search team chief's home several times a month. My email addy is in the profile, so don't hesitate to ask me to detour, especially if there's a Guinness involved.
Click to expand...
Door's open, beers cold, may not be Guiness, but it'll certainly be dark !

Ya know, I wrote this out last night as a way for me to kinda handle the situation and get a little perspective by reading it back.

wasn't really expecting any replies, but what I have gotten has been enlightening and makes me feel good.

The 4x4 community is awesome, on the trail and off, there is always someone to help.

And I thank you all !
 
Dude, I know I dont need to say this, but you know where I work and you know where I live, if you need anything just holler.

Duane
 
having recently gone through (and still going through) major medical (orthopedic) issues myself, i can sympathize. i wish you the best.
 
I wish you the best man...

My dad had a really rare cancer that was mis diagnosed, mis treated and repeated. He has made a recovery now. I know you will pull through it.

Just remember that if something doesnt sound quite right get a second opinion before you let someone else gamble with your health.
 
Amen! Always seriously consider a second or third opinion. Personal experience has proved to me there are one helluva lot of medical organizations and personnel out there that couldn't find their asses in the bathtub with both hands and a flashlight.

Do some research on just what's ailin' ya, and don't be afraid to ask some penetrating questions regarding their ability to diagnose the difference between PMS and Mad Cow Disease. If they're reluctant to tell you everything they know about your case and avoid giving you a relatively detailed map of your journey through treatment, tell 'em you ain't buying their damn used car or that oceanfront land in Utah.
 
Kevin,
I just saw this...sucks...hang in there. If you need anything let us know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
 
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