Cancer Update

Oregon Health Sciences University

I've been lucky the last 3 1/2 years since my diagnosis with Medullary Thyroid Cancer. The only disruption to my life has been regular blood draws and neck ultrasounds.  The blood draws are to check for something called calcitonin.  People without thyroids should have readings of near 0.  My number has been steadily creeping up.  When the number made a big jump in July my doctor ordered a CT scan  and did find something suspicious on the right side of my neck.    A biopsy showed that it was more cancer so tomorrow morning bright and early I'll be having surgery at OHSU to remove the lymph nodes on that side.

Spread to the lymph nodes is pretty much expected with my type of cancer.  In fact, had they know the type of thyroid cancer I had they would have removed them during the first surgery when my thyroid was removed.  My prognosis is still good and we'll be hoping the calcitonin goes to near 0 in the months after surgery.  I feel absolutely normal.  My health is very good except for the cancer!!!!  We just got back from a fantastic 12 day trip through Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Poland.  Many blog posts planned about that trip!!!

I'm expecting to spend one night in the hospital and then 1 - 2 weeks to recover completely.  I have to be back to near normal by October 1st so I can attend the 45th Class Reunion of the Lonoke High School Class of 1971!  Can't miss that!