They say bad things come in THREE...
It has been over 5 months since the diagnosis of my thyroid
cancer. I can’t believe it has only been 5 months because so much has happened
since! I don’t even know where to begin.
Let’s see, perhaps let’s start with the health related
stuff… and one fairly long post…
I have decided to sit on the thyroid cancer. There is not
enough justification to get rid of my thyroid. There seems to be bigger risks
with going under the knife, and living without thyroid for the rest of my life
when it is a key hormone machine especially at this stage where I need it most.
Lifetime thyroid medication has not been all rosy and nice for the many people who
shared their experience in various forums. With the confirmation that it has
not spread, and the slow progression of papillary thyroid cancer and knowing
the available treatment options if for some reason if the condition takes to a
negative shift, I decided to prioritise my focus – on baby making.
Obviously baby making is not a one person job, and in our
case a 2-person team does not seem to be achieving much results either. So we
seek help from a Fertility Specialist, who is also a Gynaecologist and
Obstetrician. In fact this has progressed about the same time as the
identification of the nodules. I can’t believe that on top of the multiple
tests for thyroid function and thyroid cancer, I have to add another 101 tests
for fertility. And the husband – just one, which you know what. And lucky him,
apparently healthy and strong swimmers they are! Tests after tests, and
sometimes you just wish that they find something wrong so they can fix it and we can move on!
At this stage I have stopped traditional and alternative
health treatment and became fully focused on the expensive specialists.
And I believe that things were progressing – tag team between my endo and
obgyn, along with the other doctors/medical assistants/receptionists.
Finally another root cause was identified (besides the first
hyperthyroid condition which affected fertility. The cancer doesn’t by the way
– just happen to be curious with the lumpy feeling the throat which the doctors
still do not think is from the nodules, so really, that was by chance. They say
bad things come in three, and the third was right up there in the head! Close
to the brain, some would say part of the brain. Pituitary tumour (prolactinoma).
Benign fortunately. But tumour nevertheless, at such a sensitive spot! Oh what
luck. Series of test to identify it, and another series of test to identify the
seriousness of it. Surgery is the last option, and fortunately it is not
humungous or affecting my eyesight (that’s one of the first main symptoms for this illness) – only my prolactin hormone was affected, which is key to fertility. I need to say that
my body responded fairly well to medication and within a month it’s down to a
desired level – and for 2 months my period was normal again and regular. Then
it was time to try for baby again. Hopefully no other hiccups this time!
(If you are not sure where does the pituitary sit, here is a
simple illustration of it. Image taken from Google Image Search – originates from
this link which provides some easy to understand information of this condition)
By the way, if you happen to be someone I know, and you have not
heard from me directly about my health adventures – I prefer you to keep it a
cyber knowledge and cyber thought. Let’s not discuss it behind my back –
directly with any of my family (including extended) or
friends/colleagues/acquaintances. You also don’t need to say anything to me – I’m
fine and managing it well, and I prefer to deal with it without having
additional conversations and explanations. Life is easier for me that way (because
I’m me, I’m not much of a People person - in case some of you don’t already know). But
well, if you want to discuss this because you have a similar condition or you
know someone else who may be in a similar situation, then I will be happy to treat this
discussion as an exception :)
So… what’s my miracle baby journey like? I am not so sure
myself, but I’ll find out eventually…
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