ThyCa Diary and Memoirs for Lauri Shillings 2003

I was diagnosed with the possibility of Follicular Carcinoma on October 1, 2003.

Found the lump approximately 1 1/2 weeks prior on a Sunday night was terrified of the reality of having cancer. Thought I was going to die, got worried about all the "what-ifs" like who will see my kids grow? How will I create an impression on them for their future memories? stress, stress, stress and a god-awful bucket of tears... Got into the local Dr. Roberts visit the next morning, Ultrasound that Tuesday, findings of solid mass, not the expected fluid filled cyst. Fine needle biopsy that Friday and results that following Wednesday, Oct. 1st. 2003

3.3cm X 2.4cm neoplasm on right lobe of thyroid removed via Total Thyroidectemy October 21. 2003

after surgery was up and around within hours. a bit wobbly of the neck. Hospital took forever to get me a room after surgery. had the room for less than 24 hours. Was considered a 23 hour "observational stay" Didn't know they had such a thing. Initially had pain in throat from the breathing tube from surgery. that pain went away on Friday night after the Tuesday Morning surgery. Also had a tremendous fat bottom lip from my lip being pinched between tube and my teeth. not many good thoughts on my anesthesiologist, other than he had great bedside manner and put me at ease, not to mention to sleep.

Surgery itself was uneventful. Did not see my surgeon Dr. Freeman afterwards, saw only his intern/associate Dr. Lynn. Maybe I pissed him off with my wry sense of humor. made some smart ass remark comparing him to a car salesman and I don't think he appreciated it. his loss. Nurses at Methodist we very nice. One moment in post recovery -pre room assignment was quite comical. the nurses were talking about how to braid hair and I piped up about something and soon they were all playing with my hair, as mine was the only hair long enough to demonstrate on. One slender white nurse was the only one running around "working" several others seemed to be taking it easy at the desk, coffee and such you know.... hmmm. The other note of interest: When I got to the hospital, there was an older couple that registered near us. They had the pre-op booth  across the hall. After surgery she was in the "curtain room" right next to mine. She was pretty peppy and nice to chat with, we joked that we would have a room together. That would have been nice. Had a room with "mary". She had a Kidney removed. was in the room after me and left before me. who would have figured that Organ removal was nearly an "out-patient" experience. had some dinner. found out I had to swallow small, very small amounts and chew very well. really only ate the cream of broccoli soup... that had some celery in it. made it through the night ok. Was vomit sick that next morning, Unfortunately while I was saying good morning to my husband on the phone. He got to listen in. I got rid of the soup. felt much better and wanted breakfast afterwards. Nothing like baked puffy scrambled institutional eggs with bacon and grey oatmeal lump to make an upset stomach better. The only saving grace was the coffee and half frozen orange juice. Still felt queasy. Nurse threatened to give me a nausea suppository. I said, "Uh, no thanks, I'm trying to avoid that!". 

recovery. got home on Wednesday Oct. 22nd. early evening and was quite tired. Thank God my mother came to help with the kids while I was in the hospital and she stayed that first night to take over the night feedings of Judd my baby. My husband Jim sure didn't get up. Never has, and Still hasn't. Mom made a big pot of soup beans. We are still eating them to date: Sunday night. time to "let them pass to the other side".

She went home Thursday Morning to go back to work. Jim went to work at 2pm. I made it through the day OK. woozy at moments and got incredibly tired around dinner time. By the time kids bed time rolled around I was ready to drop. after they got to sleep around 9:30-10PM instead of going right to bed like I should have, I stayed up and sewed for a while. Sewing is my stress relief. similar scenario for the rest of the week. very tired mid-afternoon. Try to take naps with kids if I can.

incision site was tender around the edges. I am surprised at the amount of bruising on flesh above and below cut. swallowing is tense at the base of my throat, like between the collarbones. there is a good bit of "tissue" there now were there wasn't before. will ask the Dr in the morning when I get the sutures out.

Monday October 28th, 2003

Had sutures removed. incision is slow to heal. now have "steri-strips" taped up all over my neck. Biopsy results are in

NO CANCER!

Final Pathologic Diagnosis:

Thyroid gland, right lobe, lobectomy:

favor follicular adenoma. small portion of unremarkable parathyroid gland. Frozen section diagnosis confirmed. See note.

NOTE: The right thyroid shows a follicular lesion, which in 2 areas show invagination of the neoplastic cells into the capsule. There is no extracapsular extension, nor is there any evidence of vascular invasion. Based in these features, a follicular adenoma is favored.

MEANS there were actually 2 tumors. one big, one tiny. Not sure what that means in terms of 'spreading' but, Dr's still favor adenoma rather than cancer.

Oct 29, 2003 Continued updates on my recovery process. Most of the Steri-strips have fallen off my incision and reveal a poorly healing cut. I have cleansed it and put butterfly bandages on to support the wound. The slow healing does not surprise me as my c-section took "forever' to heal as well. This one will simply be more visible as it is on my neck!

Nov.4, 2003. incision looks better today. still tender in the center front of my throat above the incision. perhaps where the isthmus used to be? After starting the hormone synthroid last Monday I have to say that I feel "better" physically and emotionally  than I have in some time. Perhaps I was low in thyroid hormone, even though blood work revealed an "acceptable" level in my blood, I think my body needed more to thrive.

Nov.1, 2004.
Well, it is one year after the date of my surgury and I am still here. My synthroid dosage was finally stabilized after nearly a year at 88mcg. I guess everyone is different. I know one gal who still has a functioning thyroid and takes 125mcg! My scar has healed nicely. There is no lingering pain from the insicion now. Only if my little ones really tug on the skin in that area does it have any noticable pain. I know I used to be able to wear turtle necks and other snug neckline clothing, and now, I can't stand to have anything that clings to my neck. Even if there is a necklace that is too snug it drives me crazy. I have posted a final picture on the photo page so you can see the final results. My hubby says the scar doesn't look so bad, but I think it is still the same. oh well, Go out and celebrate Another year of Living!