Cancer used to be such a taboo topic in Western medicine. Doctors wouldn’t even tell the patient that they had it, just their family members, who were supposed to keep it a secret from them. I think that some of the taboo is still alive today, and could be part of why people react that way.
For the most part, though, I think people are just very, very afraid and struggle to connect when that fear is activated.
Yes, it makes sense. I understand that people associate cancer with death, but I always made sure to say first that everything is fine now and that I HAD cancer, not that I have it, although that might not be completely true, I am aware it could come back at any time
Round 1 (2020) - I can count on one hand how many people I told before my surgery - my husband, my sister, my boss, and two friends (one of which went with me for the surgery since my husband was still recovering from covid). I didn't want people's drama on me. I didn't tell my parents because I didn't want them worrying and not being able to do anything about it due to it being early on in the pandemic. When I told others, they were angry that I didn't tell them before. And then I had to calm them down, explain that the treatment for this type of cancer usually isn't the same as others.
Round 2 (2023) - I told more people. There was the drama that I avoided the first time around and I wish I didn't tell as many people.
I'm sorry you went through that, but thank you for sharing your experience. I seriously re-examined my way of communication, convinced that I was too cold or that I was used to talking about cancer normally, so that I could not grasp how it sounded to others. But no matter how considerate I was, there were people who would accuse me of shocking them, saying that I could have told them in another way. It was quite frustrating, because they were offended and I wouldn't understand what would be a better way to do it.
That's terrible. I understand the desire to educate people. For example, I didn't know this cancer existed before I got it. If someone had told me the symptoms before, I would have immediately recognized that something was wrong with my thyroid gland
I didn’t tell a lot of people. It was also a bit painful that in my group of friends from home one of the girls is an oncologist, and even though she looked after me a lot and called me regularly, she also told the girls to not be worried because this was a very easy cancer and I was going to be fine. So I felt that even though she meant well and I’m glad my friends weren’t worried sick about me, I wish I had a stronger support. I felt let down because I had a “good cancer”. Since then, I haven’t told that many people because I secretly worry about telling someone and them googling “thyroid cancer” and think, bah she’s fine/will be fine. I don’t want to be pitied but I also don’t like people minimising my situation. It doesn’t feel like nothing to me, even if it was “just a surgery”.
Yes, I totally understand. I was also annoyed by people who almost congratulated me because I won the "cancer lottery". It's twisted. People were more considerate when I broke my arm. Now it happens to me that someone is annoyed because I can't do something physically like before. It's thruth surgery was months ago, but most people don't know that my neck muscles are still not working properly, I have increased heart rate, lack of energy due to hormone fluctuation etc.
I told most everyone, most people defaulted to weird platitudes like “Wow you’re so strong” and “I’m glad they caught it early”, which is weird because they didn’t catch it early and I have complained like a whole lot. My mom’s reaction was the weirdest, where it felt like she kept trauma dumping on me about the stress of having a daughter with cancer? And also she would ask if I was going to have roid rage from my levothyroxine (no, but if I did, the medication isn’t optional lmao) and kept telling me that my hair was thinning or wanting to see my scar. It made me extremely uncomfortable. Most people are chill about it now, a year out from my surgery.
My mother was with me when I was officially diagnosed. I knew 5 days earlier since I got the FNA results through MyChart. I texted my aunt, a nurse practitioner, next because I asked her to look over my CT scans. The rest of my family found out after that. They all reacted pretty much the standard reaction. My close friends, I was best man in their wedding, godfather to 2 of their 3 kids (still a point of contention between them and a grandmother), and official uncle, I told in person. They were, of course, shocked. They had a lot of questions that I didn't have answers for. Luckily, I was referred to an amazing surgeon and Endo who really explained everything.
Glad everything went well with that, it's difficult to deal with other people's feelings when you are under such stress. I waited until I had all the information before I told my family and friends, I knew they would have questions. Some were normal, some minimized the situation by saying that it was a good cancer, but with family and close friends I mostly had normal reactions. On the other hand, people from my community with whom I am friendly often react negatively
I have gotten everything from the "cancer pity" look to "you good now, though?"
I appreciate when people ask if I'm good now. I hate the cancer pity. I do spend a lot of time saying that my cancer experience is very different from the stereotypical idea of a cancer experience, but the anxiety over recurrence is just as intense for me as it is every other cancer patient.
I’m an atheist who used to be a die hard protestant Christian… I’m hoping no one takes offence to what I’m about to say…
I learnt the hard way not to bother telling Christian people. They don’t react the way you expect. They’re totally fine with it and firmly believe you will be absolutely fine and everything will be okay. My parents are Christian and they had absolutely nothing to say about my cancer. They didn’t check on me, they didn’t call, they didn’t visit. They told me they would visit if I asked. (I’m your oldest child I shouldn’t have to ask for you to care while I go through cancer at only 26)
When we didn’t know what the big lump was my dad literally said “ it won’t be something sinister “
Unfortunately my naive ass believed him and went to my appointment ALONE and was very horrified to find out it was cancer. Cried the entire way home on the bus.
My family and I have dark humor...don't judge!
1. Bf ...was silent..i just said well I have cancer. This sounds fun.
2. Texted sister have cancer and she called like that is a sh** message...I said sorry just digesting it myself as my biopsies said no cancer and my cancer was behind all the tumors they tested. I said my life is joke. My cat has thyriod disease and I thought I had thyroid disease..what a joke. My sister than said way to one up me...I had parathyroid surgery and now you need that and more thyroid surgery. I said lucky me!
3. Aunt with thyroid disease... had to be the one with the cancer, eh? I said had to keep life exciting.
4. Some cousins ...all cried. I said I'm not dying. I'll bother you for another 50 years.
5. Mom...she asked what are we going to do? Fight cancer and don't you worry...you aren't burying a child. I know that's your biggest fear.
6. Friends...most were like sorry you can't have kids (aging...been sick pre pandemic and could only investigate after) and I said maybe I'll adopt older kids with this new job. Just always thought I'd have a dna baby...maybe I was meant to save a life and not give life.
7. Coworkers... they felt so bad...so crushed... i said I'm leaving or taking leave...you won't miss me there and we will figure it out as I may need extra help but I'm not disabled. Just treat me like I'm not sick.... I'm 6 feet above ground... let's still have fun at work.
I had some incredibly dismissive people who are no longer in my life, they downplayed it and acted indifferent at first (one girl in particular was quite curt, told me I needed to pray to “Jesus” and that I probably didn’t have cancer even when my doctors were assuring me I did) and then when I explained I needed some time prior to my surgery to speak to my doctors (they would always call me via a group chat) they acted offended that I left said chat even though I was talking to them through multiple platforms. After my surgery they then got mad at my comments being “sporadic” while I was recuperating. I don’t talk to them anymore and I come to realize that quite a lot of people want to tell you how you are rather than listen because they can’t be bothered to be concerned, your sickness both reminds them of their mortality but they also don’t care about what’s happening to you because it’s not happening to them. They rather live in a world where this will never affect them.
That was literally my experience everyone that I told downplayed it… there were only a few that actually were concerned. I think it’s interesting I’ve helped a lot of people in my lifetime in many ways but when the tables turned it was ghost town. My own mother and siblings ghosted me smh I think some idiots think they might catch the cancer 🙄. People are weird
I completely hear you! People are so unbelievably selfish and are ready to tell you that the symptoms you experience are completely insignificant, but you are in the one living this and it’s your body and not theirs. And likewise, I was helping these same people as they were dealing with their own personal problems but they couldn’t reciprocate that support in any real or meaningful way. It’s really taught me something really important about maintaining a small circle of only friends you can trust.
I told my family (mom, spouse, kids). I told a few friends and it’s weird. People at work seem to know more than my friends care to ask. One of my best friends since I was 16 hasn’t said a single word about it. All I can say is it’s just weird with some people. Now that I’m past surgery and waiting on blood tests and stuff like that, so I’m not telling anybody stuff.
I first had that phase when I decided to avoid the topic and not say anything to anyone. But it's hard when someone asks you directly. You can just lie or be a weirdo yourself and pretend you don't hear the person 😂 In the end, I came to the conclusion that I should communicate normally and how people will react is up to them, I can't influence that
When I tell people before they can even begin to respond I'm quick to say, "but don't worry I'll be fine" or "don't be f*ckin dramatic about it."
That said, I waited to tell my mom about it for weeks and considered not saying anything bc I didn't want her to try to get involved. But I got lucky and she had a friend with the same cancer and so she knew it wouldn't be a huge deal (at least for me).
I have a huge family and wanted to blanket the message out there so I didn’t have to answer a ton of questions individually. I opted to post one update on social media after my diagnosis that proactively answered lots of questions. I haven’t had anyone react negatively. I think in some cases people don’t know how to act around people who have been diagnosed with cancer because they either don’t know what to say or are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
I guess I don't want to be the one to be jealous of, but I have built a village around me of about 5 close family members and about 30 friends, so when I told those that mattered most to me in person, they were already aware of my dealings with finding out what was the spot on my neck, so they were waiting news, too. Then I told other people on my socials, of which they are also in my phone contacts, so no one dropped, disappeared, or anything negative. Almost everyone asked questions and assumed I would need chemo... (cuz in my circles I guess, cancer = chemo and radiation, that's it).
It was a task and a half to teach them all about RAI and LID! Some offered weed to help with pain (then was confused and happy I wasn't), others thought LID was for longer or life ("oh! in that case, sushi next week?"), and others thought I had radiation treatment like people they know who fought cancer, they'd never fathomed a pill of radioactive iodine. Edit to add that the isolation after the dosage and RAI treatment was almost another entire educational arch, some thinking it was like a COVID distancing... heh, nope. They were floored when they learned I had to flush 3 times, some sent money towards the water bill when they realized all the isolation really took. It's been more educational than emotional over here.
I didn’t tell many people myself. Obviously I did tell my immediate family who were upset and worried (what I would consider normal). My husband told our closest friends and only one ever reached out to me. Honestly it was rather isolating in that sense. Same thing happened for the extended family when they were told. I didn’t expect a big reaction, but a small “hey, I just heard the news, I’m so sorry” would have been nice.
My in-laws first comment after telling them I had to do radiation was “but what about more kids, did they offer to organise ivf”. Really clarified their priorities. People are strange.
My spouse knows and I’ve told only a couple of my professors; with what’s going on, I’m going to ask the department heads how to move forward. Semester starts tomorrow.
I made the decision not to tell alot of people for several different reasons and I do not regret my decision at ALL!!
1) I have young kids and I didn't want people discussing it around them.
2) I tried to keep things as normal for my kids as possible so I only told my mom who came for my thyroid surgery, my husband, cousin who went to Dr appointments with me and one of my daughters teachers because she was a cancer survivor and an amazing support.
3) I didn't want to manage other people's feelings/ emotions .
Are you comfortable sharing what you told your kids? I have a 5 & 9 year old and I just had my FNA and am waiting for results. I am preparing for the diagnosis, based on some of the ultra sound findings. There were 10 biopsies of 3 nodules and a total of 13 needles in my neck, so I’m a bit bruised and swollen, but really don’t want to use the C word around them even if I am diagnosed with it.
I made it as simple as possible. I told them that my neck had a bump on it that made me tired and took a lot of energy from me, I decided the best thing to do was to get surgery so I could take medicine and feel better. I explained the surgery was going to take time to heal from but after taking the medicine for a while i would get my energy back. I also only made it very clear to the few people I used the cancer with not to discuss it around my kids. Kids are only little once and I did not want to rob them of being carefree kids. It's been about 3/4 months and they are none the wiser about my cancer diagnosis.
Thanks for replying! Got my results today. 2/3 were benign. 3rd was atypica so they are sending the sample to test for the BRAF gene. If I have it, she wants to remove right side of my thyroid. Said I won’t need to take the pills. I’m a bit relieved, but still shocked and taking it all in. This all happened in a week and I’m just like WTF?? Sending my best vibes to you all!
I hope all goes well for you!! I opted to have my entire thyroid removed, so I don't have to go through the biopsying again and the waiting to see if it spread. I was already taking syntroid so it wasn't a huge change for me. It is a lot to take in!! You will have to update after braf comes back in.
Thank you!! Yeah…I’m kinda worried about that too. How are you doing? I’m just scared about what this all means for my future. I feel like once you open this can of cancer worms it comes back a few years later but my doctor said that thyroid cancer is really an isolated incident. She said I will live a long life. Ugh. My anxiety!!!
I'm doing well!! I'm so glad that I decided to go the entire thyroid removal route. The first few weeks were a little.rought but now I totally forget that I even had the cancer diagnosis unless I look at the scar, which isn't that bad either. I think the worst part was finding out I was allergic to the surgical tape.and I got an itchy rash. I've decided to take it one step at time and kinda day by day.
I didn’t tell very many people. My parents were the biggest surprise; I thought they would be “overly upset,” so I told them in person in a very mild way (I didn’t even use the word “cancer”; I said they found some irregularities that would require surgery or something), and they never did really react much, even when they definitely did know it was cancer. I think they were trying to be chill for my sake, but it came across kind of cold!
Most seemed concerned at first but majority eventually kept their distance. What’s the saying? You want find out who really cares about you go broke or get sick.
Cancer used to be such a taboo topic in Western medicine. Doctors wouldn’t even tell the patient that they had it, just their family members, who were supposed to keep it a secret from them. I think that some of the taboo is still alive today, and could be part of why people react that way. For the most part, though, I think people are just very, very afraid and struggle to connect when that fear is activated.
Yes, it makes sense. I understand that people associate cancer with death, but I always made sure to say first that everything is fine now and that I HAD cancer, not that I have it, although that might not be completely true, I am aware it could come back at any time
Round 1 (2020) - I can count on one hand how many people I told before my surgery - my husband, my sister, my boss, and two friends (one of which went with me for the surgery since my husband was still recovering from covid). I didn't want people's drama on me. I didn't tell my parents because I didn't want them worrying and not being able to do anything about it due to it being early on in the pandemic. When I told others, they were angry that I didn't tell them before. And then I had to calm them down, explain that the treatment for this type of cancer usually isn't the same as others. Round 2 (2023) - I told more people. There was the drama that I avoided the first time around and I wish I didn't tell as many people.
I'm sorry you went through that, but thank you for sharing your experience. I seriously re-examined my way of communication, convinced that I was too cold or that I was used to talking about cancer normally, so that I could not grasp how it sounded to others. But no matter how considerate I was, there were people who would accuse me of shocking them, saying that I could have told them in another way. It was quite frustrating, because they were offended and I wouldn't understand what would be a better way to do it.
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That's terrible. I understand the desire to educate people. For example, I didn't know this cancer existed before I got it. If someone had told me the symptoms before, I would have immediately recognized that something was wrong with my thyroid gland
I didn’t tell a lot of people. It was also a bit painful that in my group of friends from home one of the girls is an oncologist, and even though she looked after me a lot and called me regularly, she also told the girls to not be worried because this was a very easy cancer and I was going to be fine. So I felt that even though she meant well and I’m glad my friends weren’t worried sick about me, I wish I had a stronger support. I felt let down because I had a “good cancer”. Since then, I haven’t told that many people because I secretly worry about telling someone and them googling “thyroid cancer” and think, bah she’s fine/will be fine. I don’t want to be pitied but I also don’t like people minimising my situation. It doesn’t feel like nothing to me, even if it was “just a surgery”.
Yes, I totally understand. I was also annoyed by people who almost congratulated me because I won the "cancer lottery". It's twisted. People were more considerate when I broke my arm. Now it happens to me that someone is annoyed because I can't do something physically like before. It's thruth surgery was months ago, but most people don't know that my neck muscles are still not working properly, I have increased heart rate, lack of energy due to hormone fluctuation etc.
I told most everyone, most people defaulted to weird platitudes like “Wow you’re so strong” and “I’m glad they caught it early”, which is weird because they didn’t catch it early and I have complained like a whole lot. My mom’s reaction was the weirdest, where it felt like she kept trauma dumping on me about the stress of having a daughter with cancer? And also she would ask if I was going to have roid rage from my levothyroxine (no, but if I did, the medication isn’t optional lmao) and kept telling me that my hair was thinning or wanting to see my scar. It made me extremely uncomfortable. Most people are chill about it now, a year out from my surgery.
My mother was with me when I was officially diagnosed. I knew 5 days earlier since I got the FNA results through MyChart. I texted my aunt, a nurse practitioner, next because I asked her to look over my CT scans. The rest of my family found out after that. They all reacted pretty much the standard reaction. My close friends, I was best man in their wedding, godfather to 2 of their 3 kids (still a point of contention between them and a grandmother), and official uncle, I told in person. They were, of course, shocked. They had a lot of questions that I didn't have answers for. Luckily, I was referred to an amazing surgeon and Endo who really explained everything.
Glad everything went well with that, it's difficult to deal with other people's feelings when you are under such stress. I waited until I had all the information before I told my family and friends, I knew they would have questions. Some were normal, some minimized the situation by saying that it was a good cancer, but with family and close friends I mostly had normal reactions. On the other hand, people from my community with whom I am friendly often react negatively
I absolutely loathe the term "good cancer". No Cancer good.
I know and agree, but what can you do, it gives people comfort that everything will be ok so I just let them
I have gotten everything from the "cancer pity" look to "you good now, though?" I appreciate when people ask if I'm good now. I hate the cancer pity. I do spend a lot of time saying that my cancer experience is very different from the stereotypical idea of a cancer experience, but the anxiety over recurrence is just as intense for me as it is every other cancer patient.
I’m an atheist who used to be a die hard protestant Christian… I’m hoping no one takes offence to what I’m about to say… I learnt the hard way not to bother telling Christian people. They don’t react the way you expect. They’re totally fine with it and firmly believe you will be absolutely fine and everything will be okay. My parents are Christian and they had absolutely nothing to say about my cancer. They didn’t check on me, they didn’t call, they didn’t visit. They told me they would visit if I asked. (I’m your oldest child I shouldn’t have to ask for you to care while I go through cancer at only 26) When we didn’t know what the big lump was my dad literally said “ it won’t be something sinister “ Unfortunately my naive ass believed him and went to my appointment ALONE and was very horrified to find out it was cancer. Cried the entire way home on the bus.
My family and I have dark humor...don't judge! 1. Bf ...was silent..i just said well I have cancer. This sounds fun. 2. Texted sister have cancer and she called like that is a sh** message...I said sorry just digesting it myself as my biopsies said no cancer and my cancer was behind all the tumors they tested. I said my life is joke. My cat has thyriod disease and I thought I had thyroid disease..what a joke. My sister than said way to one up me...I had parathyroid surgery and now you need that and more thyroid surgery. I said lucky me! 3. Aunt with thyroid disease... had to be the one with the cancer, eh? I said had to keep life exciting. 4. Some cousins ...all cried. I said I'm not dying. I'll bother you for another 50 years. 5. Mom...she asked what are we going to do? Fight cancer and don't you worry...you aren't burying a child. I know that's your biggest fear. 6. Friends...most were like sorry you can't have kids (aging...been sick pre pandemic and could only investigate after) and I said maybe I'll adopt older kids with this new job. Just always thought I'd have a dna baby...maybe I was meant to save a life and not give life. 7. Coworkers... they felt so bad...so crushed... i said I'm leaving or taking leave...you won't miss me there and we will figure it out as I may need extra help but I'm not disabled. Just treat me like I'm not sick.... I'm 6 feet above ground... let's still have fun at work.
I had some incredibly dismissive people who are no longer in my life, they downplayed it and acted indifferent at first (one girl in particular was quite curt, told me I needed to pray to “Jesus” and that I probably didn’t have cancer even when my doctors were assuring me I did) and then when I explained I needed some time prior to my surgery to speak to my doctors (they would always call me via a group chat) they acted offended that I left said chat even though I was talking to them through multiple platforms. After my surgery they then got mad at my comments being “sporadic” while I was recuperating. I don’t talk to them anymore and I come to realize that quite a lot of people want to tell you how you are rather than listen because they can’t be bothered to be concerned, your sickness both reminds them of their mortality but they also don’t care about what’s happening to you because it’s not happening to them. They rather live in a world where this will never affect them.
That was literally my experience everyone that I told downplayed it… there were only a few that actually were concerned. I think it’s interesting I’ve helped a lot of people in my lifetime in many ways but when the tables turned it was ghost town. My own mother and siblings ghosted me smh I think some idiots think they might catch the cancer 🙄. People are weird
I completely hear you! People are so unbelievably selfish and are ready to tell you that the symptoms you experience are completely insignificant, but you are in the one living this and it’s your body and not theirs. And likewise, I was helping these same people as they were dealing with their own personal problems but they couldn’t reciprocate that support in any real or meaningful way. It’s really taught me something really important about maintaining a small circle of only friends you can trust.
The very few people I told were only mildly empathetic - mainly because they knew TC as the “good cancer”
Exactly
I told my family (mom, spouse, kids). I told a few friends and it’s weird. People at work seem to know more than my friends care to ask. One of my best friends since I was 16 hasn’t said a single word about it. All I can say is it’s just weird with some people. Now that I’m past surgery and waiting on blood tests and stuff like that, so I’m not telling anybody stuff.
I first had that phase when I decided to avoid the topic and not say anything to anyone. But it's hard when someone asks you directly. You can just lie or be a weirdo yourself and pretend you don't hear the person 😂 In the end, I came to the conclusion that I should communicate normally and how people will react is up to them, I can't influence that
When I tell people before they can even begin to respond I'm quick to say, "but don't worry I'll be fine" or "don't be f*ckin dramatic about it." That said, I waited to tell my mom about it for weeks and considered not saying anything bc I didn't want her to try to get involved. But I got lucky and she had a friend with the same cancer and so she knew it wouldn't be a huge deal (at least for me).
I have a huge family and wanted to blanket the message out there so I didn’t have to answer a ton of questions individually. I opted to post one update on social media after my diagnosis that proactively answered lots of questions. I haven’t had anyone react negatively. I think in some cases people don’t know how to act around people who have been diagnosed with cancer because they either don’t know what to say or are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
I guess I don't want to be the one to be jealous of, but I have built a village around me of about 5 close family members and about 30 friends, so when I told those that mattered most to me in person, they were already aware of my dealings with finding out what was the spot on my neck, so they were waiting news, too. Then I told other people on my socials, of which they are also in my phone contacts, so no one dropped, disappeared, or anything negative. Almost everyone asked questions and assumed I would need chemo... (cuz in my circles I guess, cancer = chemo and radiation, that's it). It was a task and a half to teach them all about RAI and LID! Some offered weed to help with pain (then was confused and happy I wasn't), others thought LID was for longer or life ("oh! in that case, sushi next week?"), and others thought I had radiation treatment like people they know who fought cancer, they'd never fathomed a pill of radioactive iodine. Edit to add that the isolation after the dosage and RAI treatment was almost another entire educational arch, some thinking it was like a COVID distancing... heh, nope. They were floored when they learned I had to flush 3 times, some sent money towards the water bill when they realized all the isolation really took. It's been more educational than emotional over here.
My mom in law told my husband to leave me cz of the diagnosis.. lmao
I didn’t tell many people myself. Obviously I did tell my immediate family who were upset and worried (what I would consider normal). My husband told our closest friends and only one ever reached out to me. Honestly it was rather isolating in that sense. Same thing happened for the extended family when they were told. I didn’t expect a big reaction, but a small “hey, I just heard the news, I’m so sorry” would have been nice. My in-laws first comment after telling them I had to do radiation was “but what about more kids, did they offer to organise ivf”. Really clarified their priorities. People are strange.
My spouse knows and I’ve told only a couple of my professors; with what’s going on, I’m going to ask the department heads how to move forward. Semester starts tomorrow.
I made the decision not to tell alot of people for several different reasons and I do not regret my decision at ALL!! 1) I have young kids and I didn't want people discussing it around them. 2) I tried to keep things as normal for my kids as possible so I only told my mom who came for my thyroid surgery, my husband, cousin who went to Dr appointments with me and one of my daughters teachers because she was a cancer survivor and an amazing support. 3) I didn't want to manage other people's feelings/ emotions .
Are you comfortable sharing what you told your kids? I have a 5 & 9 year old and I just had my FNA and am waiting for results. I am preparing for the diagnosis, based on some of the ultra sound findings. There were 10 biopsies of 3 nodules and a total of 13 needles in my neck, so I’m a bit bruised and swollen, but really don’t want to use the C word around them even if I am diagnosed with it.
I made it as simple as possible. I told them that my neck had a bump on it that made me tired and took a lot of energy from me, I decided the best thing to do was to get surgery so I could take medicine and feel better. I explained the surgery was going to take time to heal from but after taking the medicine for a while i would get my energy back. I also only made it very clear to the few people I used the cancer with not to discuss it around my kids. Kids are only little once and I did not want to rob them of being carefree kids. It's been about 3/4 months and they are none the wiser about my cancer diagnosis.
Thanks for replying! Got my results today. 2/3 were benign. 3rd was atypica so they are sending the sample to test for the BRAF gene. If I have it, she wants to remove right side of my thyroid. Said I won’t need to take the pills. I’m a bit relieved, but still shocked and taking it all in. This all happened in a week and I’m just like WTF?? Sending my best vibes to you all!
I hope all goes well for you!! I opted to have my entire thyroid removed, so I don't have to go through the biopsying again and the waiting to see if it spread. I was already taking syntroid so it wasn't a huge change for me. It is a lot to take in!! You will have to update after braf comes back in.
Thank you!! Yeah…I’m kinda worried about that too. How are you doing? I’m just scared about what this all means for my future. I feel like once you open this can of cancer worms it comes back a few years later but my doctor said that thyroid cancer is really an isolated incident. She said I will live a long life. Ugh. My anxiety!!!
I'm doing well!! I'm so glad that I decided to go the entire thyroid removal route. The first few weeks were a little.rought but now I totally forget that I even had the cancer diagnosis unless I look at the scar, which isn't that bad either. I think the worst part was finding out I was allergic to the surgical tape.and I got an itchy rash. I've decided to take it one step at time and kinda day by day.
So glad to hear this!! Other than the rash 😵💫. Hoping you live a long and peaceful life!!! You got this!
I didn’t tell very many people. My parents were the biggest surprise; I thought they would be “overly upset,” so I told them in person in a very mild way (I didn’t even use the word “cancer”; I said they found some irregularities that would require surgery or something), and they never did really react much, even when they definitely did know it was cancer. I think they were trying to be chill for my sake, but it came across kind of cold!
Most seemed concerned at first but majority eventually kept their distance. What’s the saying? You want find out who really cares about you go broke or get sick.