3 Months of Freedom
Yesterday I went to get bloodwork ahead of my endocrinology appointment today. While there I ran into someone I knew in the lab test line and discovered they were also battling cancer. It was comforting in many ways to chat with them. After we checked in they came over and we caught up some more. It's a constant reminder to me that we never know what each of us is battling!
Today I had an early appointment with my endocrinologist. Getting there was a bit of a navigation as we had some localized flooding from bad storms the night before.
So - I was a bit late but it seemed like everyone else was too! I met with my Doctor's regular nurse which was nice and comforting. There's become something really nice about having consistent care and people. Dr. Brooks came in and we spoke about the post radioactive iodine scan - she was pleased that the scan had remained the same before and after treatment and we had no new surprises. She then reviewed my bloodwork from yesterday and noted my TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone - was still a bit high at 1.41. She explained that ideally my TSH should be suppressed to 0.2-0.3. According to Thyroid Cancer Survivors Association "Patients treated for differentiated thyroid cancer take a daily thyroid hormone replacement pill called levothyroxine (also known as T4). They take it both to avoid hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid condition) and to prevent growth or recurrence of their thyroid cancer." Because I was still not properly suppressed she recommended I increase Levoxyl from 175 mg to 200 mg. We will see how my body tolerates it as I adjust to the higher strength.
She then went over the difference between measuring TSH and Thyroglobulin which has been confusing to me. TSH measures how much hormone my body is producing so they can adjust my medication. Thyroglobulin is a cancer marker and can indicate cancer growth. I'll try to keep this straight and I will double check my notes later to make sure this is correct.
Then the good news came. She told me the hard work to fight my cancer was over for now! I could move into the maintenance and monitoring phase! She will check my TSH in 6 weeks to make sure that number is coming down. And I will not need to see her again for 3 months!
When I return in 3 months I I will do bloodwork and an ultrasound before our appointment. She is hopeful that they can get an image of the mediastinal lymph node through an ultrasound. She would rather try that first to reduce my radiation burden. However, she did let me know if it could not be seen via ultrasound, I would need a CT scan and that should not concern me. I really appreciate that she takes into account things that may raise my anxiety.
The goal in 3 months is for everything to remain the same or for the cancerous lymph node to shrink. The radioactive iodine will continue working over 6 months so if there's no change in 3 months, that's ok!
After we scheduled everything out through October, I walked out to my car and it hit me. I have some freedom. For the first time in over a year I have a break from constant tests. It is such a relief to be on this side of things. Although I'm not cancer free I have time and freedom and that is such a gift! I started crying with joy and relief. It feels amazing.
I excitedly called Dave, my family and texted friends and they were equally thrilled with me. Relief all around to hear good news from me for the first-time in a long while. 🙌
This weekend Dave and I will go away for a camping trip and enjoy some time with my family in a place we love. It's the perfect getaway and I couldn't be happier at the timing. It is time to celebrate and I can't wait!