On July 13th, 2024, I found myself in the emergency room, struggling with severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. After undergoing an abdominal CT scan to get to the bottom of my discomfort, I received results that, while not providing a clear answer for my stomach issues, revealed a large nodule on my thyroid. This unexpected news led to further tests, blood work, and my thyroid and neck ultrasound.

The ultrasound showed a big nodule in my left thyroid, about the size of a lemon, and a few smaller nodules on the right side. Because the one on the left was so large, my doctors recommended a biopsy to get a better idea of what we were dealing with. Unfortunately, the biopsy results didn't give us a clear answer, just that it might be a "follicular nodule."

During this challenging time, I was fortunate to connect with an incredible endocrinologist who has been a true source of support. Based on my blood work, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease. Since the biopsy results weren’t clear, and the nodules were on the larger size, she suggested going ahead with surgery to avoid any complications down the line.

On November 13th, 2024, just a week after my 35th birthday, my husband and I set off for Bismarck for an important surgery. After considerable thought, we decided it was best to remove my entire thyroid, to prevent potentially having 2 surgeries, looking back, that was the right choice.  What was expected to be a routine procedure, lasting about 90 minutes to 2 hours, turned into a much longer three-hour surgery. The surgeon had a surprising update for us: what appeared to be the size of a lemon on the ultrasound was more comparable to an apple. The smaller growths, which we thought were peanuts or grapes, turned out to be the size of golf balls. He explained that they were pressing against my esophagus and wrapping around my spine, which made the surgery more complex than we had anticipated.

We were told we would receive the results within a week, either through a phone call or at my follow-up appointment for stitch removal. As the days passed, waiting became an emotional struggle. Recovery was more challenging than I had imagined; uncomfortable felt like an understatement. The pain was significant. I struggled to get more than a few hours of sleep at a time, and now know what it feels like to have Sprite/soup come out of my nose. I don't recommend trying that at home! 

On the morning of my appointment, the nerves crept in. I hadn’t received any phone call, and my instincts told me something wasn't right. They say bad news is usually better delivered in person, but that wasn’t much help. When we arrived at the clinic, my nerves were on edge. Hearing the words “It is cancer” was a moment I will never forget. I found myself asking them to repeat what they just said. Even though I'd had a gut feeling that something was wrong, being told outright brought a wave of dread. It was one of those times when being right wasn’t comforting at all. The Surgeon felt confident that he removed all of the cancer. 

 I’ve had many rounds of bloodwork and testing for tumor markers, and my endocrinologist is wonderfully proactive. I’ll be meeting with her again in a week to discuss more test results and undergo additional tests. Despite the challenges of surgeries, imaging, and endless tests, we’re managing to navigate this journey. The struggle is real, balancing time off for recovery, numerous doctor appointments, and the side effects from the medications, but we’re determined to push through. While I’m not out of the woods just yet, I have faith that 2025 will bring clarity, healing, and the simple joys of life with my husband, kids, cats, and dogs. God bless!