Thyroid cancer has impacted me both physically and emotionally and I’ve learned some important life lessons along the way.
The biggest physical change was losing my thyroid. Before I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I knew very little about the thyroid. But I soon came to learn through experience that this gland is tiny but mighty. The scar from my thyroidectomy (thyroid-removal surgery) might be small, but my thyroid had a big job to do. Without it, my body couldn’t naturally produce thyroid hormones which control everything from metabolism to energy levels.
After my thyroid cancer treatment (radioactive iodine treatment), I got started on thyroid hormone replacement medication which takes the form of a small tablet. Luckily, I adapted to the medication quickly and without side effects which is just as well, as I have to take thyroxine every day for the rest of my life. If I can’t have a thyroid, I’ll take the next best thing, and this medication is definitely the next best thing.
In many ways, my physical recovery from both surgery and treatment was quick and relatively easy but my emotional recovery was to take a lot longer. These were the scars that you couldn’t see.
This was my second cancer diagnosis in six months and it totally knocked me for six. Certainly, this second diagnosis was easier. I knew what to expect physically in terms of procedures and surgery, and I’d already established a good relationship with my specialist and his team. However, emotionally, I really wasn’t ready to go another round with cancer. Mentally, I was still recovering from my first diagnosis.
I was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and my GP referred me to a psychologist. Having the opportunity to talk openly about my feelings helped me process and reframe my thoughts in a much more positive and practical way. And many of the life lessons I learned from those sessions are still valuable now.
Speaking about my experiences felt so good that I decided to write about them too. Some people choose to write in a journal or connect through a support tool like Thrivor but I decided to start a blog, which proved to be both cathartic and therapeutic. It was also a great way to share my story with friends and family in a way that I couldn’t do face to face. When I was diagnosed, I felt lonely and isolated so, most of all, I hoped my words would benefit others who faced a diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
When it comes to developing a love of exercise, I was definitely a late bloomer. Ironically, prior to my first cancer diagnosis (a few months shy of my 40th birthday), I was the healthiest and fittest I’d ever been. Not only did I exercise five times a week: I actually enjoyed it. It was only when I couldn’t exercise in between surgery and thyroid cancer treatment that I realised how much I thrived on it for my emotional wellbeing. As soon as I got the all clear from my medical team, I was back outside running. I wasn’t breaking any speed or distance records but I was breaking myself in gently and it felt great.