11/8/2020

Just days after my 43rd birthday in August, I heard the doctor's words, "You have cancer."

Since then, my life has been turned upside down. 

But for now, I'll share the backstory that led up to hearing those words.

Over 2 years ago, I noticed a lump on the side of my neck. It felt like a lymph node that was enlarged. This wouldn't be odd if I was sick, but it stayed enlarged all the time, even when I was healthy. I mentioned it to my doctor in the fall of 2018. She suggested that we could look into, by ordering an ultrasound. However, at that time, I didn't have very good insurance coverage. I knew that it would cost us a lot out-of-pocket to have tests done, so I declined them. 

Fast forward to June 2020. During a routine physical, I mention the lump again. This time, I have excellent insurance coverage and would like to pursue the ultrasound to find out what this lump is all about. So in July I had an ultrasound of my neck and the results were concerning. My doctor said the next step would be a CT scan of my neck to find out more of what these concerning areas were. So in late July, I had a CT scan. This scan showed multiple areas of calcifications... bad things to hear. 

It was when my primary doctor called to give me those results in late July that the possibility of cancer was first mentioned. The next step was to refer me to a specialist, an ENT (Ear Nose Throat) doctor who would probably want to do a biopsy of the concerning areas in my neck. 

So in early August I had a biopsy done of the most enlarged lymph node in my neck. On my 43rd birthday, my ENT's office would not give me any news except to say that I needed to come in to talk with the ENT directly about the results (this is not a good sign). So a few days later, I was in his office hearing him say, "It is papillary thyroid cancer."

Part 2 coming soon...