Comments | jadefu: I of course, have to make things difficult.

jadefu

I of course, have to make things difficult.

Aug 18, 2009 16:45

So I'm settling into life as a cancer patient. So far, it doesn't seem much different other than the "holy shit!" reaction when I tell people what's up. And I'm lucky I guess that I have one of the relatively easier cancers to treat.

But still. It's cancer.
Or specifically, since so many of you are geeks: Hurthle cell cancer. Still pretty curable, ( Read more... )

cancer, thyroid

Comments 10

digitalemur August 18 2009, 21:03:16 UTC

Yeah, the TSH drop is gonna blow.

But otherwise, you don't even get to take things that make you puke like mad and lose your hair? Totally awesome and totally lucky.

Did I mention one of my coworkers told me today that a) they are dredging the pond early specifically because they want to look for the missing bears, and b) that they found Chrome Bear in the pond? I thought I would run those by you, because the first sounded like it might be true, but the second doesn't. I... get the impression this coworker makes her own gossip.

Chrome Bear? Dredging the Pond? ddreslough August 19 2009, 00:38:02 UTC

Is this some kind of cancer lingo I'm not hep to?
Is that like having a colonoscopy and looking for a malignant polyp?

I'm beginning to think I should dredge the pond too, in case I have a chrome bear!

Re: Chrome Bear? Dredging the Pond? digitalemur August 19 2009, 03:56:22 UTC

No, it has to do with the Bearfest public art display she's involved in. But I think you just came up with the best euphemism for a colonoscopy EVER!

jadefu August 19 2009, 07:57:40 UTC

Ok, people need to stop making up gossip. :)

The dredging of the pond has been in the works for, I don't know, 4 or 5 years? Longer than Bearfest even was thought of. It took them that long to find the money. AND they're not even dredging yet, they're draining water. The goal is to allow boats and swimmers in the pond.

Second, no, Chrome bear hasn't turned up (yet). There was a bear in the pond, but it was 1) fake 2) intentional 3) removed by the DPW and 4) a much longer story. I'm guessing that's where this particular "rumor" may have come from. (It's a longer story I'll post when I'm more awake.)

supersnackcake August 18 2009, 21:14:23 UTC

I am so sorry to hear the C-word diagnosis, but so glad it's easily (though obviously not fun-ly) treated.

You are now the third person I know in Massachusetts and on LiveJournal with this same rare thyroid cancer. That is very messed up. The other two are both totally cured and fine, by the way.

Yikes. That sounds like a cluster ddreslough August 19 2009, 00:43:49 UTC

I did the math. There are approximately 6,500,000 people in MA. The rate of thyroid cancer is 8.7 per 100,000. So, that means that about 585 people in MA get thyroid cancer. 5% of those cancers are this Turtle Cell Carcinoma thing - so there are only 28 people in MA that have it. And you know 10% of them if I did my math right...

Gaw. Now I want to dredge my pond and dredge my neck for chrome bears! My hypochondriacus gland is in overdrive. :)

"And we caught it SUPER early" ddreslough August 19 2009, 00:46:46 UTC

From what I've been reading, that ROCKS!
*hugs* It's good that you're seeing the bright side. Hopefully you're not too tired to craft. :)

tenthet August 19 2009, 03:39:50 UTC

Oh my god, Bettie. Lots of hugs to you and Ian. I know I'm all the way down here, but if you ever need anything or just someone to bitch at, I'm around.

Lots of love and best wishes going your way.

jadefu August 19 2009, 08:05:02 UTC

Thanks hon! xoxo

pearl_and_rose August 20 2009, 16:33:21 UTC

Hi, Babe,

I was horrified to hear about your diagnosis, but so relieved that it was caught so quickly. I'm sending you good vibes and happy wishes and best of luck and prayers and all that good stuff. Basically, I'm thinking of you and wishing you well.

Take care of yourself, and let others take care of you, too.