It was towards the end of September 2009. Paul and I were heading back to the Stillwater Cancer Care Center to get my six month test results. We were about to find out if I was cancer free or not.
Thankfully football was in full force and I was able to stay busy enough to where I was thinking about it to much. Wait, that's a lie...no matter how busy one is you always think about. Awake, asleep, it doesn't matter. Whether or not you are cancer free will always be on your mind.
Paul and I had talked several times what we would do if the cancer was still there. The scan I had after treatment still showed cancer. My oncologist at the time said that was normal and that more than likely the residual cancer that is still there would be gone by the time I did the six month scan.
Have I ever mentioned that I'm not all that patient of a person and that I hate waiting? One thing I have totally learned from this whole cancer thing is that you hurry and wait. Not matter what it is. Blood work, CT Scans, Ultra Sounds, Whole Body Scans...all you do is wait and I'm not that good at it. Worry comes with waiting and all I did is worry. Football games help distract me but I still went crazy.
For some reason I don't remember the exact day I got my results. I remember the dates of both surgeries and treatment but I don't remember the date I got my scan results. One would think I would but, oh well.
It's time for my appointment and I was as nervous as could be. We got there, checked in, paid my co-pay and we waited. Finally it was my turn. I went back into the examining room, my nurse checked my blood pressure, temp, went over my medication list and said that the doctor will be in. So we waited some more. My doctor came in.
Now I don't remember what all he said. Truthfully I don't have a clue. The only words I remember is....there was no cancer found. After he said that I was cancer free he did go on to explain that our goal was to get me to being scanned once every five years. So far I have been scanned every year.
Earlier this year I decided to celebrate being cancer free early. As you know back in December we had a scare that the cancer was back. So in April I got a tatoo stating that I'm a cancer survivor. Maybe I should have waited, but I figure....I have a scar I don't want, had a scare that the cancer returned, so I'm getting some ink. Oh, and since I'm not a 100% percent sure what day I was told I'm cancer free.....I'm celebrating all month long.
Don't forget that September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Don't forget to check your neck!
