In Progress

Not going to lie, this just feels like it's not happening. I feel like I am going through a host of motions -- surgery here, follow-up there. But CANCER? In ME? This just can't be. It's such an invisible demon.
Or is it? I had my follow-up appointment on the 17th and took my first post-surgery ultrasound. Dr.Gross called me with results on Friday, saying that the Radiologist spotted a 6mm "indiscriminate" node on the left side of my neck where the original mass was (removed 1-Feb). Specifically, he told me not to worry about it, that'd we'd use that measurement for benchmarking purposes, but nothing seemed off to him. I judiciously wrote down what he was telling me and was 'fine' with it. Until I hung up the phone. From the moment it said 'disconnected' so too was my head from my heart and the latter simply sunk. I don't want to ride this roller-coaster. I just want to get off.
I was able to book my next appt. for 24-May and will be looking at Iodine Radiation Therapy, likely in mid-June.

• T-minus 2 weeks: iodine-free diet
• T-minus 2 days: Thyroglobulin shot to the butt
• T-minus 1 day: Thyroglobulin shot to the butt
• Day 0: Hospital admit, pill swallow; isolation & overnight
• Day 1: Geiger counter scan & hospital discharge
• Days 2-3: Modified isolation (adults 10mins 2-3x/day; no pets or small children)
• Day 4+: Like nothing ever happened

I suppose the whole thing could be worse, but I'm writing with my head attached to my heart. For now.

Thanks to my dear friends, Operation FTC is anchored by this ringer t-shirt with proceeds going to a charity of my choosing (still TBD, FYI! I'm researching pediatric thyroid cancer organizations, but TC is rare in kiddos, so the local option is a challenge to find!). $20 gets you spring's hottest tee. And the warm fuzzy feeling of putting an end to this nightmare called cancer, especially for those with long lives ahead of them!