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Queen Elizabeth had her ‘annus horriblis’ in 1992. Now 25 years later I think it’s my turn.
Last Friday I attended an appointment with my oncologist at Cambridge to find out the results of an ultrasound scan I’d had at the end of January. Unfortunately the radiologist could see a small nodule on the right of the thyroid bed, and so the 6 week treatment of external beam radiotherapy that I’ve been putting off for 2 years is now on the cards.
After my last surgery in 2014 the oncologist recommended 30 targeted radiation treatments to knock out any stray cancer cells in the thyroid bed. As the side-effects are so severe, I immediately said no unless there was actually something to treat. Now nearly three years later there is, and so I must bite the bullet so to speak. The oncologist thankfully refrained from saying I told you so, but hey, would you want to have a raw, burning throat and be unable to swallow normal food for a month at least? The prospect at the time did not fill me with untold delight, and to be honest it still doesn’t. It’s a great way to lose weight, but I wouldn’t recommend it at Slimming World.
Thankfully my type of thyroid cancer is slow growing and I can go away on my cruise on Saturday and have a good holiday, but of course the upcoming treatment will now be at the back of my mind. However, it’s the treatment that will make me feel ill and not the cancer; the treatment is curative and not palliative, and so there’s life in Stevie yet for hopefully a few more years to come.
It’s a setback, but then again I’ve had many setbacks since 2004 in my fight against advanced papillary thyroid cancer. It doesn’t seem to be finishing me off, but with every treatment I’ve had over the past 13 years I have become a little more beaten up. Don’t believe anyone who ever tells you that thyroid cancer is a ‘good’ cancer. It bloody well isn’t I can assure you. You think you’re in remission, and you could be in remission for years like I was, and then it all starts up again. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of it, but hopefully with treatments I can keep it at bay.
Another setback is that poor Dot, my mother, has only a few more months to live. I visit her in hospital every day, and she will be staying there whilst she waits for a nursing home place. She has enough of her own troubles, and so I haven’t yet told her about mine.
If my radiation therapy starts in about a month, then you’ll know why I’m not online as often as I have been. It’s a 100 mile round trip every day to Cambridge for a start, so that and the treatment will take at least 3 hours out of my day. I’ve had to put off buying a ticket for the Bloggers Bash as I don’t know if I’ll feel well enough to go, but I cannot say no anymore to my oncologist’s wishes.
Wish me luck, and if you see me driving along the A14 in March/April give me wave. x
-Eugenia said:
So sorry to hear your news. Stay strong and enjoy your cruise.
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fearlessinjesuschrist said:
Prayers for healing for you, Stevie!!!! Bon voyage! Have a wonderful trip!
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you.
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Clive said:
Never has hitting the ‘like’ button seemed less appropriate, but there are no other choices to show support for you. I wish you well for your treatment, and hope you can enjoy your holiday first. I wouldn’t wish driving along the A14 on anyone either. You’ll be in my thoughts. Take care.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Clive. Hope you’re on the mend by the way…
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Clive said:
I’m good thanks, it wasn’t anything serious. Take good care of yourself.
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franklparker said:
As others have said, ‘like’ really isn’t appropriate in the circumstances. I hope you enjoy the cruise and that your month of treatment turns out to be less damaging than you fear (as soon as I wrote that I thought, ‘be realistic: she’s done it before, she knows far more than you’.) But, hey, I’m not the praying sort but if I was my prayers would be with you.
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Stevie Turner said:
No, I’m not the praying sort either – I’m more of a realist. Thanks for your comment though.
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thejuicenut said:
I really didn’t want to click Like at all! I’m so sorry you had the news you dreaded and I hope the cruise will help you build up the strength you’ll need for the treatment. I send you a virtual hug and best wishes.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you; life doesn’t always go to plan does it?
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thejuicenut said:
It certainly doesn’t, likes to keep us on our toes – or in my case, on my back!
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D.E. Haggerty said:
Sending you strength and positive wishes.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you.
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ksbeth said:
hugs and positive wishes to you
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you.
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Sue Vincent said:
It doesn’t seem appropriate to hit the ‘like’ button and run, Stevie. I wish you well. The side effects of radiotherapy can be bloody awful…and the distance every day is exhausting on its own. The cruise first, though… enjoy.
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Stevie Turner said:
I aim to enjoy every minute of the cruise!
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Sue Vincent said:
Too right too!
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acflory said:
So very sorry to hear about this. I had a partial thyroidectomy 25 years ago but mine was benign. I truly hope the radiation therapy sends it into remission again. Keep strong and keep believing. -hugs-
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks.
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jenanita01 said:
So sorry to hear your bad news, you have enough on your plate looking after your mum. I hope the treatment is not as bad as you think and you get through it all okay. I see my oncologist tomorrow, so I could be in the same boat. I’m trying to be positive, but it’s a lot harder when you have been through it all before.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks. Good luck to you too.
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Darlene said:
Sending positive thoughts your way, Stevie. Have a fabulous cruise and enjoy every minute. You deserve it. Hugs to Dot as well.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Darlene.
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog.
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wisewoodpidgeon said:
Sorry to hear your news. Hope you will be able to relax and enjoy your cruise.
In terms of the coming treatment – I wish you all the best. Take care
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks. On the cruise I’m going to live in the present and not think about the future until I get home!
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wisewoodpidgeon said:
Sounds great! Enjoy!! 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
I will!
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roughseasinthemed said:
Shit happens. So sorry to hear about not just you, but your mum too 😦
There aren’t any ‘good’ cancers. And the trouble is, they always come back.
Enjoy your cruise. It’s well earned and deserved.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for your comment. Yes, cancers always return, but hopefully this treatment will zap it for a few more years.
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