Update: Jenn's Cancer

[BamaJenn]

Hey guys... I figured rather than post this all at the end of the already long thread here: http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/for...wt-member.html, I'd start a new one.

Let me start by expressing more anger at this doctor's office they sent me to. The surgeon has informed me that her (the doctor's) translation of the biopsy report was actually incorrect and probably caused me some undo stress. Apparently the type of biopsy can only tell them there are abnormal cells in the tumor. They can't actually tell if it's cancer. So her diagnosis of Thyroid Cancer, while possible, may be incorrect. We won't know 100% that I have cancer until the actual surgery takes place. The chance it's cancer is about 20%. Needless to say this changed the tone around here. The tumor is follicular for those who know what that means.

So... back to the plan...

The plan is to remove only the left half of my Thyroid (the side with the tumor) unless the surgeon sees some visable evidence of cancer (i.e suspicious lymph nodes around the tumor or tissue that is obviously cancer) which I'll get to in a second. They will send a frozen section of the tumor to a pathologist for testing once the left half is removed. Assuming the right side can continue to keep up with the hormone production, I'll go on to live a normal life without medication and with not but a little scar on my neck to show for it.

If the surgeon sees visable evidence of cancer however, she will remove the entire thryoid at that time. I will then of course be on medication for the rest of my life to regulate my hormones. They'll still send a frozen section to a pathlogist though to be absolutely sure... because there are additional treatments I'll have to go through if it's cancer that they don't want to send me through if it's not (radioactive iodine therapy).

If only the left side is removed but the pathlogist finds from the frozen section that indeed my tumor is cancer, I'll have to go in for a second surgery to remove the other half (meaning medication and RAI afterwards).

Regardless, I'll only have to be in the hospital a short period of time. 4 hours if they remove just half, 5 if it's the whole thing. That said however the surgeon said I have the option of staying overnight and I believe I'll be taking that option. A full nights rest to help me recover and not deal with the puppy and Aaron would probably be best.

My father will be driving down to spend a week or so. The funny part is that the surgeon said I'll probably be ready to go back to work in 4 days or so but because I am taking Short Term Disability through Wachovia for this, I have to take a minimum of 8 days. She is used to this apparently because she beat me to it when I mentioned I was taking STD. We had a good laugh and she said that honestly 8 days is probably best for me anyway, just to get that little bit extra rest, especially since I talk for a living.

So there ya go... plan in place... now if we can just get it done.

Oh yeah... the surgery is scheduled for December 6th... almost forgot that part.

[Cinderella2]

I feel very relieved for you. And thank you for letting us know! I would be so angry for all the wasted tears but at least you are prepared for the worst? Please let us know as soon as you can, will you? 8 days! Just think of all the posting you can do and outfits you can craft. I'm thinking about sending my Christmas cards to you to finish. How about gifts to wrap?

[BamaJenn]

LOL!! Yeah well I won't get away with 8 days of doing nothing. Once I've recovered a bit I'll want time to hang out with my son... something I don't get much chance to do now when I'm working. BUT I do plan on getting some stuff done... just... my own stuff... sorry girl. LOL!!

[DisneyDreamer13]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you Jenn, take care of yourself

[disneydarling]

Praise God Jen! I am so relieved for you. Check your mail in the next couple days.......a little WDW magic is on its way!

[butlers]

Yes...Praise God, cause he truely needs to be praised.... What wonderful news......

[GIOny]

I feel your relief but I also feel your anger. 20% sounds like good odds. I'm praying for you all the way

[ChipNDale]

Jenn,
I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers. Here's hoping that it is not cancer and all of the tumor can easily be removed! Please take care of yourself and know we are all here for you!

Stacy

[mini-V]

You've been in my thoughts since I first ready your other post. I hope your surgery results in best possible scenario. Stay strong. Think positive! (and keep a bit of pixie dust in your back pocket) :

[disneyfanatic101]

Your in my thoughts and prayers Jenn! I'll be waiting for the good news.

GOOD LUCK!

[nicki12]

I will pray for you no matter what! Good luck!!!!!

[DisneyDreamer13]

Hey Jenn, hope everything goes well with surgery tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you xxx

[Smack81]

I know this thread is kind of "dead", but things I've seen Jenn say elsewhere indicates that she may have cancer, so I just wanted to say - lots of P&P are heading your way from Chicago!

[BamaJenn]

That's sweet. I do/did indeed have cancer. I've had two surgeries, the one that started this thread in December and then one in February. Both found cancer on each side of my thyroid. I am now undergoing Radioactive Iodine therapy to kill what remaining thyroid tissue there is in my neck as well as find any thyroid cancer cells that may have moved to another part of my body. Obviously we're just hoping to see tissue left in my neck but I won't know that for sure until next week. Right now I'm just dealing with being in isolation from my husband and son for 7 days. Ugh! It's half over now though so I'm keeping positive! Thanks for the well wishes!

[albino_pygmy]

Jenn needs one of them super bouncy balls to throw against the walls while in isolation. Those are really fun when nobody's around, and if something should accidentally break, it really was like that when you got in the room and blame the kids