Anniversary and Scanxiety

APny

rhominator said:

Some levity

Todd: Fellow software developer. I'm sure you've been in meetings like this: The Expert (Short Comedy Sketch).

Todd, thinking of you today!

Todd, thinking of you today!

Jojo, happy belated birthday and may your present be a visit from Uncle NED after your biopsy. Just a thought that might help: I was reading that fewer than 1% of thyroid nodules are cancerous and these nodules are  very common. Of course since we had RCC everything we have gets filtered through that and it’s first thing they think of. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s just a harmless nodule and a sheer coincidence that you developed it. Even if worse came to worst and it’s a met, I think it’s very curable by removing it. But I don’t think it’ll come to that.

Love to both of you,

Andi xo

todd121

Jojo61 said:

Hi Todd,I feel your pain, I

Hi Todd,

I feel your pain, I really do. Not only do we all worry - the scanxiety - but I am sure many of us have travelled down to the dark pit whenever there is an ache or pain. The dark pit/mind movies (good term, Andi!) do run through our head - why? Just to make ourselves feel that - in our minds, at least, we are right? After all, we know our bodies the best.

Right now I am worried about the nodules in my goiter that have grown considerably. As is a regular turn of events in how things go in my life, my appointment request for a biopsy got lost in the shuffle, and as a result have had to wait 5 weeks for this appointment. I finally go this Friday. In the meantime, I feel everything is grown even more and it is affecting my swallowing and breathing. My oncologist did kind of worry me a bit when he told me that RCC is the leading primary cancer to mestastasize to the thyroid - though uncommon -  even more anxiety for me.  And, although my family doctor is decent, I am tired of everything turning out to be nothing (even though that is good news - but there is discomfort, pain - I am not ME) - plus I have a real problem just performing the act of calling the doctor. Then I start wondering if people think I am a hypochondriac! Sometimes I think I AM a hypochondriac!! But I must admit that I have had some mind movies going on in this messed up head of mine. Really, though, just knowing that there are others here who feel the same way gives me reassurance.

I will be thinking of you, tomorrow Todd - and holding my breath along with you waiting for your results. And I also just turned 54 the first of December! And my sister shares your birthday - but she is turning the big 60! Hang in there, sweetie!

Hugs

Jojo

Best of luck on the biopsy

My cousin just had a benign thyroid cancer. I think it's a fairly common problem. Hope it turns out to be a very minor thing.

Hope you had a happy birthday. Keep us updated on the biopsy result. When will you know?

Todd

P.S. If I hadn't had RCC, I'd consider myself a hypochondriac. Once we've had this, I think we deserve to get a pass being a little vigilant on the health front. It's completely understandable we are concerned about our bodies. So give yourself a break. It's ok to be concerned.

todd121

rhominator said:

I invest myself in my work

Hi Todd,

I pour myself into my software projects.  I'm developing free open source software to predict wildfire behavior (wildfire-management-tool-web).  I'm trying to bring these projects to fruition while I still can.  My mind wonders when I'm not working.  If I can't sleep, I get up and work.  [what a motivator, eh?]

I hate being reminded of my condition.  Limiited physical energy and not being able to recover after exercising due to my "bio-chemically deconditioned" state is always a reminder and it really ticks me off.  [done ranting]

I hope you find some peace of mind or something to occupy your thoughts. Music is good distraction, either playing or critical listening. Or an XBox. :-)

-- Bruce

 

Open Source Software

Very interesting looking application.

I've been thinking about the Xbox! I haven't played video games in years. Might be a good time to get one.

The last times I tried to exercise pretty hard in earnest, I got sick. Light exercise is ok, but I just can't seem to do heavier physical activity anymore. Not sure if it's age or if it might be the missing kidney and missing adrenal gland. Even though they say we are ok without them, I think our bodies kind of are designed to have 2 of them for some reason and it wasn't just for spare parts. My theory is that they don't understand the effects of small changes like this. Measuring things at this level in our bodies is incredibly complicated in such a complex, dynamic system as our bodies are.

I have to wait until I'm home to watch your link. Can't do it from work. I'll have a look tonight. Thanks for the ideas.

Todd

donna_lee

APny said:

Todd, thinking of you today!

Todd, thinking of you today!

Jojo, happy belated birthday and may your present be a visit from Uncle NED after your biopsy. Just a thought that might help: I was reading that fewer than 1% of thyroid nodules are cancerous and these nodules are  very common. Of course since we had RCC everything we have gets filtered through that and it’s first thing they think of. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s just a harmless nodule and a sheer coincidence that you developed it. Even if worse came to worst and it’s a met, I think it’s very curable by removing it. But I don’t think it’ll come to that.

Love to both of you,

Andi xo

Shout out to ya'

Todd

Have you contacted ACS in your community?  They are supposed to have a budget for things like home visits, transportation, friendly visitors.  And yes, a big percentage of the funds raised go to grants for research.  Another big chunk goes to education about what causes cancer (and lobbying against smoking, etc.)  Then there is the advertising!!!!  Many of us who participate in the local Relay for Life asked about all the incentive prizes, certificates, and on and on.  The response was that there are many out there who would not donate at all unless their company name is on a board, or they get a water bottle with a logo on it.  Go figure.

What you need is the physical and emotional help and assistance,  NOW.  I don't know the size of your community, but:  There are local Cancer Support Groups that are inclusive for survivors (that's anyone who has been diagnosed and sometimes their support people).  Home health could be contacted to provide medical assistance.  There are various job skills training programs that employ people- they can clean house, shop, provide transportaion and other needs on a sliding scale for the user.  Do you have public transportation or Dial a ride in your community?  What about Sr. and Disabled Services---usually something that is part of a State program, by whatever name they call it.

Is there a Palliative Care program thru your Oncologist; or as a part of a Hospice Provider?

I hope this helps you put your thinking cap on about what is available to you.

And to JoJo

More good luck.  Get the biopsy over and deal with what they find.  You can live without the sucker and take pills.  The worst part of the biopsy is when they have your head bent over a pillow, the ultrasonographer is pushing on on the gland trying to locate what the Radiologist is supposed to find, the saliva is accumulating in the back of your throat ready to drown you, and they say DO NOT SWALLOW.  They need to use one of those fluid suction devises like at the dentist.

Hugs to both of you.

Donna

 

 

 

todd121

donna_lee said:

Shout out to ya'

Todd

Have you contacted ACS in your community?  They are supposed to have a budget for things like home visits, transportation, friendly visitors.  And yes, a big percentage of the funds raised go to grants for research.  Another big chunk goes to education about what causes cancer (and lobbying against smoking, etc.)  Then there is the advertising!!!!  Many of us who participate in the local Relay for Life asked about all the incentive prizes, certificates, and on and on.  The response was that there are many out there who would not donate at all unless their company name is on a board, or they get a water bottle with a logo on it.  Go figure.

What you need is the physical and emotional help and assistance,  NOW.  I don't know the size of your community, but:  There are local Cancer Support Groups that are inclusive for survivors (that's anyone who has been diagnosed and sometimes their support people).  Home health could be contacted to provide medical assistance.  There are various job skills training programs that employ people- they can clean house, shop, provide transportaion and other needs on a sliding scale for the user.  Do you have public transportation or Dial a ride in your community?  What about Sr. and Disabled Services---usually something that is part of a State program, by whatever name they call it.

Is there a Palliative Care program thru your Oncologist; or as a part of a Hospice Provider?

I hope this helps you put your thinking cap on about what is available to you.

And to JoJo

More good luck.  Get the biopsy over and deal with what they find.  You can live without the sucker and take pills.  The worst part of the biopsy is when they have your head bent over a pillow, the ultrasonographer is pushing on on the gland trying to locate what the Radiologist is supposed to find, the saliva is accumulating in the back of your throat ready to drown you, and they say DO NOT SWALLOW.  They need to use one of those fluid suction devises like at the dentist.

Hugs to both of you.

Donna

 

 

 

Community Support

Hi Donna,

Thanks for the pointers. I'm (thankfully) not near that point yet. I was thinking more about others (or hopefully not anytime soon, my future). My county is one of the most conservative and less friendly (towards poor people) counties in all of California. There is very little here in terms of support. I found a pretty good support community but they are in Los Angeles or Pasadena, an hours drive away.

However, that being said, I probably haven't looked hard enough yet because I'm not at that point. Gratefully I can drive, work, etc. It's just the old stinking thinking on my part at this point. When I was sick in February, my (oldest) son and his wife were quite helpful. Even though my younger son is not talking to me, I'm pretty sure if I had a real need and asked directly he'd come help.

Very much appreciate the ideas and support.

Best wishes and hugs,

Todd