Four years. Four years.
It’s been exactly four years since I took my I-131 radioactive iodine treatment for my papillary thyroid cancer. My oh my, how my life has changed since then!
I’d like to say I haven’t given cancer another thought since that day, but truth is, I think about it every day. Every morning I wake up and take my thyroid replacement pill first thing and wait an hour before eating or drinking anything that might affect the absorption. During my pregnancy my daily dose was changed 5 times to meet the increasing demands from my body and from Maddie. Since her birth 2 months ago, my dose has been changed twice as my body readjusts to my “new normal.” Without this one little daily pill, I would slowly go more and more hypothyroid and eventually my mind and body would shut down. I would be so screwed in a zombie apocalypse scenario.
I have just one more year until I can say I’ve been cancer free for the magical five years = cured mark. In this upcoming year, I have plans to undergo a whole body scan once my daughter is weaned. Once again I will have to go hypo on purpose. Once again I will have to take some RAI and go into isolation for a short time – this time from my husband and daughter – to protect them from my radioactive self. Hopefully this time nothing shows up on the scan in my thyroid bed or in my lungs.
If I think on it too long, it terrifies me. So I try not to let my mind go there. I have a long life ahead of me – including seeing my great-grandkids grow up – and I'm positive there are many adventures awaiting me!
This brings tears to my eyes... thankful tears and tears for the unknown. I will be there for you in any way needed and remember- no matter how tightly we hold on to God's hand thru a difficult time, He is holding on to ours tighter.
ReplyDeleteHi there! I was actually just reading up on a few of your posts and had a quick question about your blog. I was hoping you could email me back when you get the chance, thanks~
ReplyDeleteEmily