Doctor's appointment today

Today I had my doctor's appointment. It was the follow up appointment after the radioactive iodine treatment. I would lie if I said that I wasn't scared to go in. Even though I already knew that the results of my scans were negative, I still have some fear inside. It has been hard to go through this twice, I don't think I'd be able to handle it if it happens again.

The appointment was short, I think even shorter than other ones I've had. He talked about the results of my scans. He was glad the results came negative and I was happy to hear again what I already knew. It gave me some relief, I guess.

These past 1 1/2 years have been hard. I've had to cope with adjusting to a new place, a new job, a new school, strangers sorrounding me, being away from family, and finding out twice in less than a year that I had cancer. I have been trying to be strong, and maybe on the surface that's what others perceive. However, inside, my world was falling apart. It was hard to focus in school work or my job duties when all I had in my mind was my health issues.

This is my story...what's yours?

I want to share my story with you, maybe to ease my pain by letting out all of the feelings I have inside. I was 22 years old when I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. That was a year an a half ago. I believe it was a miracle that I got diagnosed in the early stages.

A week before moving out to go to graduate school, I was at my orthodontist appointment, when he noticed a lump in my neck and asked if I had thyroid problems. At the time, I didn't know I had any but thought it was my time, taking in consideration that every woman in my family older than me had thyroid problems. He had me go get some blood tests. When the results of the labs came back, my mother diagnosed me with hyperactive thyroid. After that, I went to a general doctor who sent me for further testing and finally referred me to an endocrinologist. The endocrinologist had me get an aspirated biopsy and had me go see him when the results came back. Results were positive for papillary carcinoma.

When I heard the news, my world started spinning, not for a moment or two, but what felt to me like forever. Then in no time, it crashed down around me, as well as upon my loved ones. I was extremly depressed, frightened, and alone. I was all alone in a new place, sorrounded by a whole lot of strangers and nobody to rely on; nobody to share the news with (or the pain with); nobody around me to tell me that it was going to be alright.

Now, after 2 surgeries and 2 radioactive iodine treatments in less than a year, I am still going. Trying to be strong and trying to keep myself as healthy as possible, by going to the doctor for my routine check-ups.

Thyroid cancer is a reality that many of us go through, but with not much support from the community because of their unawareness of the disease.