After being diagnosed and treated for Melanoma in 2020 I regularly attended a GP for follow-up checks. Between 2020 and 2022 I attended 3 monthly. Despite thorough visual checks the GP failed to realise my neck was getting larger. I didn't mention it because I thought he would tell me if there was a problem. In 2022 I was diagnosed by a specialist following a blood test for another issue. After numerous scans, biopsies and investigations it transpired that I have Stage 4 thyroid cancer.
In 2022 I underwent a total thyroidectomy. During surgery it was discovered that the cancer had spread to my neck structures, vocal cords, lymph nodes, shoulder, lungs and bones. Following surgery I underwent RAI therapy and radiation oncolgy treatments. Whilst there has been some improvement in the neck and lungs the metastases to the bones have not abated. Further, the cancer has morphed into poorly differentiated cancer which is an aggressive form of cancer with a poor prognosis.
I have been taking Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor medication for about 6 months. The side effects are brutal and every bone and joint in my body aches. My feet hurt and my hands feel like I have touched something to which I am allergic. We have tried dosage reductions and medication holidays for a week but I feel sick, tired and I am in pain every day.
I am 60yo with no family and few friends I can rely upon. I am ambivalent about continuing treatment and I don't know whether or not to stop altogether and just live the remainder of my life pain free with the disease progressing or stay on the meds and hope for a better future.
