So, after abandoning this blog (busy, lazy, and of course, facebook addiction) for a long time, here are some updates:
1. I've been taking Thyroxine for almost three years now. During the first several months i took the pill every morning. But then my surgeon told me in detail about when and how to take the pill so it will work efficiently. I was told that i should 'fast' for at least six hours before taking the pill. By fasting he meant that i did not eat or drink for six hours straight. And i should refrain from eating or drinking for at least one hour afterward. The body will absorb (and process?) the substance optimally when it's empty. I followed his advice and my blood test results got better.
2. During the first year after surgery i undertake the blood test every three months and the whole body scan (with iodine) plus USG on my neck every six months. My surgeon adjusted the tests schedule on the second year to twice a year for the all the tests. Thanked God, the costs of the tests are not darn expensive at my favorite hospital... Btw, I don't enjoy the whole body scan. well it's not supposed to be a recreational experience, i know. it's just that i find it more irritating than the other tests. that's because i almost always feel nauseous during the whole body scan as i must lie still for about 15-20 minutes with my neck propped up with a pillow, resulting in my head rested in a very uncomfortable position. Having visited the nuclear medicine unit regularly (for the tests) in the past three years, i found new friends there.. nice lah.
3. My doctor has found the ideal dosage of thyroxine for me: one and a half tablets. I think the dosage works well. I don't have serious complaints, i think. The thing, or change, i noticed occurred not long after the surgery is i become forgetful. My dear, greatest man in the world, hubby has come to terms with my forgetfullness... He'd remind me to do something that few minutes earlier i said/planned to do. Worse, I forget names, words. Very often I just forget the name of an item (while i can 'see' the item clearly in my mind). I also often couldn't finish my sentences because i lost/forget/completely blank on some verbs or adjectives!!! No problems with my physical condition. No heavy sweating. Stable weight. No fatigue.
4. My last whole body scan and blood test were last year. Results of blood test were good. The scan, however, showed few cancer cells remained, though did not spread to other parts of my body, thanked God. But the news that the cells had not been completely destroyed during the RAI treatment in late 2005 was hard to swallow. Doctors at the nuclear dept recommended another RAI session. But my surgeon said that was unnecessary. He said regular tests and scans would do to monitor any spread. I hope he's making the right decision. I don't mind undergoing another boring RAI session as long as it can kill all the remaining bad cells for good!
5. My next appointment with my surgeon is in February or March 2009. In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my days. I asked him last year about the prospect of thyroid cancer survivors. He said I'll go through a period doctors called "the grace period" of five years. If the cells do not regrow, or spread, then I will be declared "cured". Don't worry lah, he told me. He said many of his thyroid cancer patients continued living for up to 20 years. I hope I can live long enough to see my daughter grow up and repay her and my husband's love and kindness.
btw, i hope i can make myself more useful to other thyroid cancer patients, survivors or families. i'd like to meet them and share my experience, but haven't found one. I just joined the Light of Life Thyroid Cancer Survivor and the Thyroid Cancer Awareness groups on Facebook yesterday. i hope to meet others there...
