Tuesday 14 October 2008

Hospital visits

I had my annual check-up with the Consultant who operated on me for the Thyroid cancer today.

The good news is everything is fine.

As it's been six years since my first operation and five and a half years since the second, I had hoped he would finally discharge me today. I have exactly the same tests carried out at the Royal Marsden Cancer hospital, who did the last part of my treatment, and it seems a bit silly for me to still be seeing both of them after being clear for all this time.

But no. Because Thyroid cancer is still a very rare cancer, the medical world appears to be focusing its attention on it and they are going to continue to monitor patients for as long as they think necessary. They feel that the more information they can gather, the better they can treat patients in the future. Because of this, I will also start having annual ultrasound scans from next year.

It costs me one afternoon for blood tests, another for the scan, and another for the appointment. Once a year. If it can help anyone who gets this form of cancer in the future, I think it's a very small price for me to pay.

14 comments:

  1. Glad to hear the test results were clear.

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  2. Glad you got the continued all clear. *hugs*

    I also think its a small price to pay, and also that you have such a positive story to tell other sufferers.

    Hugs

    Niki x

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  3. I'm glad you're a-okay! :) Keep following up though. :)

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  4. Didn't know. Glad your checkup went well. I think peace of mind and doing a service are good things. :-)

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  5. As you probably know I turn up at The Marsden annually for thyroid cancer check up - but only have the blood test. Is your consultant Peter RE by any chance - he is a personal friend of ours - the nurses look at us oddly when we kiss each other hello and goodbye!!

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  6. I didn't know Lindsay. I only have a blood test and bone density scan at the Royal Marsden - I am under Dr Newbold. Yesterday was at St George's and I'm with Mr Sharma there.

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  7. Thats great news! And you are very brave continuing with the testing so you can help others! Hugs xxxx

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  8. That's great news and it's very encouraging to hear that they are continuing with checks for research purposes. So everyone should be thanking you-it could be anyone of us needing help in the future!

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  9. My father had thyroid cancer a few years ago. Apparently, the type he had is quite rare in men. So far, so good. For a while, he had to be checked every six months, then went to a year. They've had a hard time adjusting his meds, and there's a theory that it may be due to our Native American heritage. The next step is to try a different med, one that Native Americans seem to respond to more readily. It's a long haul; it's good to know you've done so well.

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  10. Thyroid cancer is rare, I am told. I lived in Bermuda for 5 years. About 6 months after diagnosis I read in The Daily Mail there was a neck cancer cluster amongst the British police force that had lived in Bermuda during the time I was there - the theory was that the US Navy Base at the end of the island were doing something 'nuclear' and that might have contributed. We will never know.

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  11. It's interesting Lindsay, my Consultant thinks it is possible that my cancer was caused by the radio-active iodine treatment I had 15 years ago for the over-active thyroid. But he says it can never be proved.

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  12. So glad you're dong well AOJ. And that looks like a wild party, hee hee.

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  13. Please, please continue with the visits. An ex -boyfriend of my sister's that the whole family loved was diagnosed with Hodgkins. It was treated & he went into remission. At the end of 5 years clear he married, 6 months later he was dead ~ the cancer came back that quickly & that ferociously.

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  14. And a very admirable thing to do if it helps others in the future! As you know, I have a thyroid problem but luckily for me it wasn't caused by cancer.

    I'm glad that you'll be still monitored, best to keep an eye on it anyway :)

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