I’ve Got Thyroid Cancer Can You Believe it

You may have seen my Facebook videos, last Saturday (March 23rd) I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. To say it was a shock is rather an understatement, I never thought I’d get cancer, even though stats say that 1 in 3 Australian’s will get it.
Before I carry on blogging, I want to say to anyone who is feeling shocked/freaked out/surprised, that I am going to be fine. There is a 99% survival rate, they have caught it really early.
Why I am Talking about Thyroid Cancer?
Before I got it, I’d never really heard of it, I knew you could get cancer anywhere, but hadn’t really thought about it much.
This is why I am talking about my cancer, to help people understand what is involved, how far cancer has come since it was first discovered due to all the research done (like how I slipped that in?).
I’ll Be Fine
My thyroid cancer has been discovered really early. I found a lump on my neck about 3 months ago, it didn’t hurt just looked big, I went to the Doctor who sent me for an ultrasound which found 3 lumps. I had a biopsy, the results came back that the big one was benign (no cancer), but the small ones they didn’t get enough cells and I had to wait 3 months and go back for another biopsy.
Fast forward 3 months and I had the second biopsy, none of the lumps/nodes had grown at all in the time, so I thought everything is fine. But on getting the results my doctor called me in to see her, so I knew that it wasn’t going to be ok. That was last Saturday. I was shocked and to be honest I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I don’t feel any different. The smallest node with
The Treatment
The surgeon has to remove my
After the operation I obviously won’t have a thyroid, so will have to take thyroid medication for the rest of my life, but lots of people do this. The only challenge is them getting the dosage right. Too much and apparently you get all jittery and lose weight (I’d like that bit), but too little and you feel tired and put on weight.
Lots of people have told that this is the best cancer to have if you have to get cancer. The treatment is straight forward, the recovery rate is high and there is no chemo.
Where To From Here?
The operation is on April 17th, apparently recovery takes 2 weeks then I will be back in the water, and apparently faster according to my surgeon! I love that bit. It does mean that I will have to shuffle my swims around a bit, but don’t worry I will just double up some months to make it up 🙂
I will keep everyone updated on my progress, I am sure this is just a little blip that I will get through. I want to say thank you to everyone for all their support and kindness, it really really makes me feel loved and I appreciate it. I love my swimming as you know and I will e back in the water as soon as I can and carry on raising the money for ovarian cancer research.
Lara xx