I feel like thyroid cancer is all around me. Within the last 5 days, I have heard of 2 more women being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It scares me that people have to do through that, but I am also glad that they have found out they have it so they can get it OUT of their necks and beat the crap out of it. Cause here's the thing... thyroid cancer is VERY treatable when it is caught early. So you need to CHECK YOUR NECK!
The same way you can do self-breat examine, you can do a self-neck check. I really wish I had taken some pictures of my neck before I had my first surgery. My nodules were fairly small (just over a centimeter in greatest diameter) and they were visible.
Here's how you do a self-neck check:
1. Stand in front of the mirror.
2. Tilt your head slightly back so your neck is extended.
3. Take a small drink of water and observe your lower neck while you swallow.
If you see a lump move when you swallow, go get it checked out. 95% of thyroid nodules are benign. And if you are one of the lucky 5% who have thyroid cancer, welcome to the club. The best resource for information about thyroid cancer that I have found is the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association.
It is really interesting to me how I am affected by hearing of other people being diagnosed. I'm sure it is because it hasn't even been six months since my first surgery and official diagnosis. Heck it has barely been six months since I had my biopsy. I feel like I am reliving my experience all over again with them when they are diagnosed. I just want to hug them and cry with them and let them know they will get through this.
And then we will bash faulty thyroid cells, curse the low iodine diet, discuss ways to pass time while in insolation, and profess our eternal love for Synthroid. Good times.
I'm going to need you to do this for me on Friday. If I do it myself, I'll freak myself right on out. So that is why you're going to check for me. And I will hug you after. And I won't be wearing a scary bracelet so you won't get hurt.
ReplyDeleteI had no clue you could check for this! Thank you for making me aware!!
ReplyDeleteI had to get a biopsy done on a lump in my breast and I was freaked out and had my doctor check any and everything she could in my body cause I thought well if there is a lump there what about there being one some place else! Luckily mine came back okay just a small abnormality that has to be rechecked in 6 months but I honestly didn't think anything of it because of my age and I think there are lots of women who assume the same. Atleast you are showing there is light at the end of the tunnel for those just finding out!
ReplyDeletei read your about me and am so sorry that you had to go through cancer. my dad just passed away from lung cancer in january after a four month battle, he was a forty five year old non smoker. cancer just sucks. i am thinking of you!
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