October 17, 2009 – Birth of first grandchild.
November 20, 2009 – Discovered lump on throat.
Family doctor said it was swollen glands, due to a cold. I pressed for further testing.
December 4, 2009 – Ultrasound testing done.
December 8, 2009 – Family doctor office called with appointment for specialist.
December 11, 2009 – ENT specialist appointment made for 12:15pm.
Specialist said there was a tumor on my thyroid. A needle biopsy performed.
December 23, 2009 – Results of biopsy were inconclusive.
Paperwork misplaced over the holidays. Radiologist guided needle biopsy not scheduled until February 15, 2010.
February 26, 2010 – Follow-up appointment with specialist. Tumor is malignant. Request for surgery as soon as possible.
March 10, 2010 – Day of surgery. The two hour surgery, took 7 hours, due to the tumor wrapping around thyroid and growing up esophagus.
Two weeks after surgery, while recuperating at home, I woke up with pain in the centre of my spine. Diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis.
On Tuesday, August 3, 2010 I will visit the endocrinologist who administered the radioactive iodine treatment.
I have been trying to keep my body free of pain killers, salt, vitamins, minerals, etc., until I visit him. I am viewing August 3, 2001 as the first day of the rest of my life.
Even though I am one of the less than 5% with a malignant thyroid tumour I am sure that I will be one of the 97% with thyroid cancer cured.
And so you ask, what does this have to do with my need to loose weight.
I have struggled and have lost 25 pounds, and I believe that this loss assisted me in discovering the tumour. I have just turned 56 years old and weight has been a constant struggle since the age of 13. Currently I weight 230 pounds. I need to loose at least another 75 pounds. I need to loose to help me be able to walk and enjoy my grandchild and my husband. I need to loose to try and keep my blood pressure down and ease the pain of osteoarthritis. I need to loose for me - so I can enjoy the rest of my life with friends and loved ones – without pain and without guilt.
Respectfully submitted
Elizabeth
Poll
