23yo with recurrent thyroid cancer

[chatterdog]

Hi everyone, Not sure if I will get a reply, but I'm really in need of someone to talk to. I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer when I was 18, I had surgery and RAI. It wasn't easy, but I trusted in my doctors when they said that I was extremely low risk for recurrence, and this was almost certainly a one-off thing. I didn't even really feel like it was 'real cancer'. Anyway, last year, I found a swollen lymph node in my neck, and when it didn't go away for a while, I had it checked and it turned out to be cancer, so I had a neck dissection which was a far more difficult surgery than I was expecting. I suffered some nerve damage, so have limited use of my right arm, and get bad shoulder pain. Currently doing more tests to see what the next step is. It feels like every day is a battle, and that it's gone on for so, so long, even though it's only been about 4 months since I was re-diagnosed. I can't help but fear that the cancer is just going to keep coming back... My partner has been amazing, but it's starting to take it's toll and things are very strained between us. To him, I look better, I'm physically able to do most things, so he forgets that I'm still sick and struggling mentally with all this. Financially it's tough too. I have a decent full time job, but I am employed casually, so no sick leave and no pay for the 3 weeks I was off work, and the last 5/6 weeks I've only managed half days as my physio I'll do more damage if I try and 'push through' my shoulder pain. Every few days there's something else to pay for, and I just had to buy $2,000 worth of thyrogen injections because the PBS doesn't think it's essential!

[kj]

chatterdog Very sorry to read of your situation having Cancer at 18 years of age and then to have it return again Would be shattering for everyone concerned ,I am sure every day is hard however that is the way of people diagnosed with Cancer ,sometimes when you look ok people do forget what is happening inside your body and how you are feeling it would be very hard on your partner as well. Hoping that you get more favourable results from your test,good luck for the future kj

[chatterdog]

Thank you for replying kj, you are very kind. I hope you are well.

[kj]

chatterdog Yes I am not to bad thanks I take It one day at a time fortunately my medications are not expensive like yours so I don't have that burden to worry about as you and your partner do, that can throw extra stress as well as what you are facing kj

[chatterdog]

Thanks kj, luckily this is just a one off medication purchase, so it could be worse. Still, weekly appointments with my specialists and physio add up, and medicare doesn't even cover half, and I have missed a lot of work and the pay that comes with it. I could have kicked myself yesterday... I had to have a radioactive pill in preparation for a scan, and completely forgot that I was supposed to fast, and I'd just had breakfast!! So drove to the hospital thinking that I'd probably have to have the $2k injections all over again and I had screwed it up. Thankfully, they were still able to give it to me, I just had to wait for my stomach to empty.

[maddie86]

hi there it must be so hard for you to go through this at a young age... i lost my partner but was with him for the 2 years he battled cancer and i know how scary it can be. As his partner i hated seeing him so down and scared it made me frustrated because there was nothing i could do to help him... when he was happy i was happy... dont give up and keep fighting! i hope that it will soon go away for you.. cancer puts everything on hold! pm me if you ever want to chat... xx

[chatterdog]

Thank you Maddie for replying. I am so sorry for your loss. I had my whole body scan today! Relieved this week is over. It was a real hassle having the injections, blood tests, radioactive pill and scan when work is so busy at the moment. Just an ultrasound to go, and then I get the results next week. Fingers crossed.

[kj]

chatterdog good luck with your results next week kj

[chatterdog]

Not good news. I wasn't supposed to get my results for a week, but it turns out I have another 3 lymph nodes that are almost certainly another cancer recurrence, which means more surgery. I am waiting to see my specialist on Monday morning (found out late on a Friday afternoon) to confirm with all the other results, but the doctor who spoke to me on Friday seemed pretty sure. I am still hoping it is all just a mistake though. I really can't imagine having more surgery, when I am still not recovered from the last one two and a bit months ago. I'm so scared. I was always told I had a really good prognosis and it was unlikely to ever come back, but here I am again. I was supposed to start my doctorate in a week but now I am not sure I can.

[kj]

chatterdog Sorry for your bad news keep your fingers crossed, that when you see your doctor that the news is a bit more positive and you continue on with your studies . kj