Surprise, surprise!
This year started really well for me. My boyfriend and I moved to our new place (I'll definitely give a quick tour soon!), had a dream summer vacation scheduled, work has been fun and fulfilling and I've never been as dedicated in my practice runs and other physical activities as before (I signed up for 16km, 21km and 32km races this year!). I was ecstatic to make the most out of this year then this ugly thing happened.
I don’t even know how to begin writing this. It’s been a month since my surgery and although for most of the time, I've acted positive and reasonable, there are just days when I couldn't help but feel a little sad and worried.
Today, I'll be sharing how I found out about my Big C and how grateful I am we found it sooner rather than later.
January 2024: Incidental Finding
Part of the benefits I got from my last promotion was a yearly Executive Check-up in Cebu's finest medical institution, Chong Hua Hospital. This is a very costly medical package (~ $660) that if you don't feel anything wrong with your body, you won't normal think of paying for one. Gladly, I got it all for free! I was excited since it was my first Executive Check-up; particularly interested with the Stress Test. 😅 As a runner, I've been wanting to see how the work I put in translates medically. I did great in the tests; everything was up and running just as they're supposed to except for one suspicious part of my body.
When it came to the Physical Exam that will be conducted by an ENT, a slight worry kicked in. The ENT felt a lump in my throat and asked for an ultrasound. This test wasn't part of my initial package so we had to ask for approval first. Eventually, the request was granted and I waited for my turn for the neck ultrasound. All the printed results will be available a week later but they have a patient portal where I could see real-time updates about my laboratory and other medical test results.
I've read in the ultrasound result that I have a few nodes or focal lesions in my left thyroid showing features that are consistent with TI-RADS Levels 2, 4-5. New term for me so I had to do a lot of Googling and found out that this might not just be a regular lump.
By the way, TI RADS stands for Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System "a reporting system for thyroid nodules on ultrasound proposed by the American College of Radiology (ACR)" [1]. This report standardizes recommendations on what to do next. My score recommended a fine needle biopsy (FNA).
April 2024: Moment of Truth
February & March passed by like the speed of lightning and I didn't hear a word from our company clinic. I forwarded to them all my results. My expectation is that they'd act with urgency. I went to multiple work trips, traveled to my dream summer destination and when things finally start falling into place, I realized they haven't called back. I called them and insisted they look at my results right away. You couldn't just go to the hospital and request for FNA if you don't have a Doctor's request. Our company doctor met me and explained what the results meant. By this time, I was well aware of my situation and was eager to get over it the soonest possible time.
Fast forward mid-April 2024, I visited the ENT who initially found out about the lump and asked him what's next for me. He gave orders for FNA; got it in Chong Hua for $479 outpatient procedure. One week later and a day before another work trip to Cagayan, my FNA result confirmed that the nodule in my left thyroid is malignant.
"What? This doesn't make sense!"
"You gotta be kidding me!"
"This is insane!"
Random thoughts and questions ran through my mind the entire time I was in the hospital to get my results. Although part of me already accepted the huge possibility of this happening, it still felt surreal to confirm it in a piece of paper!
But as my life's mantra suggests "Life must go on!". I was sad for a bit but there's nothing I could do except accepting the fact that this unwanted guest is inside me and that modern medical technology will get rid of this in my system before I know it. The following day, I travelled to Cagayan de Oro City for work, jogged every day, had sumptuous meals with our team in CDO. It was like any other normal week for me.
How I wish I could confidently sing "I saw the sign!", but I didn't. I've read hundreds of similar stories but mine was unique. I didn't feel anything. Truth be told, I haven't felt healthier in my life than in these last months. And personally, this is the scariest part. Imagine if my ENT didn't take his job seriously? What if he brushed off that little lump he felt in my throat during the physical exam and thought to himself "She's too young for a thyroid cancer!" I'm one of the lucky ones who was able to have an early detection of cancer. What I'm really trying to say is that "Get tested!" If you have the capacity to pay for an annual executive check-up, by all means, get it! I've lived a healthy lifestyle all these year and very young but I still got it. I'm grateful more than sad and disappointed. This could've been worse. I'll say the rest of my surgery and recovery journey next time. Thank you for reading until the end! Life is indeed full of revelations but you'd be surprised how each event in the past led you to where you are now, more than equipped to face whatever is thrown your way. Fighting! 🥰 Living life intentionally every single day, she believes that there’s no limit to one’s potential. Right now, she’s on the loose for the pursuit of endless holistic self-growth and development. She wants to light the way for others. She believes there’s no better way to leave a legacy than to pay it forward. Her ultimate goal in life is to reach the state of enlightenment where there’s nothing but peace, love, happiness, and contentment - nothing more, nothing less. If you are captivated by what this girl just wrote here, an upvote is pretty appreciated. Follow her as she tells her stories full of positivities. The next story might be for you! ❤️
Make or break: Early detection
PRAYING FOR you mam! There's nothing possible with God!
Thank you, Ma'am @dehai. :)
This is so surprising. I pray for your complete recovery Miss Pat. A big hug!
It came as a huge surprise indeed. You'll really never know what this life will throw at you, but I will fight. Thank you! :)
My prayers for your healing and full recovery. 🙏
Appreciate this @cup-bearer :)
Praying for your fast recovery ms Pat. Think of the brighter side always.!
Indeed! This has made me grateful for each waking day. Thank you! :)
Oh my… I am glad it went the way it went. You discovered it early.
Hope the further steps that need to be taken go well.
I will be thinking of you.
Bigggg !HUG SSSSS
Radioactive iodine therapy will be next @littlebee4. :) Thank you for the well-wishes. :)
Good it is treated fast. Good luck and lots of strength to you for the coming time.
Positive thinking 🤗 bigggg hugggsssss !HUG
I sent 1.0 HUG
(2/3)Dear @patsitivity, you just got hugged. on behalf of @littlebee4.
I sent 1.0 HUG
(2/3)Dear @patsitivity, you just got hugged. on behalf of @littlebee4.
It was good that it was an early detection. At least your worries will be alleviated that you have good medical care and this will be gone in no time. I wish you all the best. I'm also battling my own health challenges and sometimes it can be depressing
I'm indeed lucky to live in one of the progressive cities in the Philippines where medical care is at its finest @josediccus.
I hope you all the best with your condition, too! We don't have 100% control over what happens to us but by God's grace, may we conquer our battles :)
Getting regular checkups is super important. I hope you recover quickly!
I couldn't agree more. Thank you! :)
Your name really suggests YOU. A positive one. Laban lang and I'll pray for your fast healing Pats 🥰 God bless..
Diri gyud ta masukod Ma'am @jobeliever hehe Padayon lang gyud ta diring dapita! :)
It was a bit scary looking at how you have been feeling healthy all this while. I’m glad you found it early and I wish you speedy recovery
If you ask me, that's the scariest part @abenad. I've been running my races and feeling really healthy, with no signs of a developing sickness.
Appreciate you dropping by. :)
wow reading along was so scary and I thank God for everything, don't forget to get to regular medication check-up.
The healing is permanent
Thanks for the kind words @mayor-001 :)
Pagaling ka @patsitivity. !PIZZA 🍕
Salamat @juanvegetarian! :)
Praying for your recovery @patsitivity 🙏
Thank you @jonahlyn. :)
Oh my! Hope you get better soon and heal up. Great work on powering through
I believe I'll be better in no time @melbourneswest. Thank you for dropping by! :)
👏 Keep Up the good work on Hive ♦️ 👏
sagarkothari88 to upvote your post ❤️
🙏 Don't forget to Support Back 🙏❤️ @nadin-zakrevska suggested
$PIZZA slices delivered:
(1/5) @juanvegetarian tipped @patsitivity
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