After Cancer: My Story... part one

When I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer back in March of 2003, I was told that I should be happy that it was thyroid cancer because thyroid cancer is considered by most doctors to be the most easily treated cancer around. 95% cure rate, they said.. that´s pretty good.

I guess the doctors were right in many ways, but I couldn´t help feeling like a 50 pound sac of potatoes had just been dropped on top of my head. Being diagnosed with cancer is not what most people strive for on this planet.

My journey actually began much earlier than 2003. The roller coaster ride began in 1997.

In November of 1997, I began having severe pain just below my breast bone. I visited the emergency room twice, before being told that what I was having was a gallstone attack.. The pain didn´t present itself in the usual way, under the right side of the ribcage, and therefore was a little more difficult to diagnose. The ultrasound and blood tests did confirm that it was gallstones. On December 17, 1997, I had my gallbladder removed and the pain stopped.

In the spring of 1998, I began feeling ´not very well´and visited my family doctor. I was having problems with feeling nauseous at every waking moment. Eating would aggravate the nausea, and I hadn´t had anything to eat for three days when I visited the doctor.

After many tests and visiting various specialists and living on salt crackers and water for several weeks, they found that I had a severe stomach infection. This infection was successfully treated with a two week dose of three different types of antibiotics. I could once again eat without being afraid.

Later that same year, I again began having health issues and went back to visit my physician, who I must say was very good and patient with me. I just wasn´t feeling right. I felt energy-less and disinterested, and in all honesty.. I just felt sick and tired about being sick and tired. I know this is a cliche, but it describes my feelings pretty well.

He sent me for blood tests, and everything came back ´normal´. My TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was well within normal range at 3.7 ( normal range in Canada at that time was .5-5.0) The doctor said, this number is within normal range, Lets wait and see if you start feeling better. If you still feel the same in two weeks, come back to see me.

Two weeks later, I was back in his office. I wasn´t feeling any better, and was sure that he must think that I was a hypochondriac, but instead told me that he would like to try treating me for hypothyroidism.

I was put on a small dosage of synthroid. Synthroid is a synthetic version thyroxine (t4), and is the first drug of choice by many doctors to combat hypothyroidism.

Within three days, I began feeling much much better, and continued on the regimen for the following four years without any problems.