2 year cancerversary-the good with the bad

rinaina · 04-05-2008, 08:37 PM

Just wanted to share my joy in celebrating my 2 year cancerversary with all my her2 sisters. My diagnosis was early April 2006, my surgery was April 19, on my husband's birthday, which we felt would bring good luck. I guess we were right.
Unfortunately I am experiencing some other health issues recently. I will be having surgery soon to remove a tumor from my Parathyroid gland but first I also have to have a biopsy of my thyroid gland to determine if they have to remove that as well. I have a good size tumor on my Parathyroid so that gland for sure has to come out because it is playing havoc with calcium levels and causing some kidney disfunction. I have multiple nodules on my thyroid gland but one is more solid and quite large so that is the one they will biopsy next week. The good news is that most of these tend to be benign, the bad news is, I have had surgery in that location before, (a four level cervical fusion), so the surgery will be a bit tricky due to scar tissue. Believe it or not, my breast surgeon, who is incredible, also is very highly regarded in not only breast surgery, but parathyroid and thyroid surgery as well. Lucky me! I am having many symptoms as this disease, hyperparathyroidism, is a disease of "Moans-complaints of not feeling well, Groans abdonimal pain and acid reflux, Bones-bone pain, Stones-kidney stones with Psychiatric overtones-lethargy, fatigue, depression and memory loss." Great, more memory loss, as if chemo brain wasn't bad enough. I already have kidney issues due to my Sjogren's Syndrom, (autoimmune disease). I will know more after the biopsy next week. My daughter is getting married July 5 and I am so busy with the planning so I really am not happy to be dealing with yet more medical issues but illness never happens at a good time does it now? All I want to do is be able to enjoy every bit of these next 3 months of planning and not have to deal with all of this other, excuse me for saying this, crap! I also don't want anyone else in the family to have to be worrying about me at this time of joy. I am sure all will be fine, I have dealt with a lot worse as all of you know. I wouldn't mind a few prayers though. Will keep you posted.

Bill · 04-05-2008, 08:59 PM

Rinaina, Happy Cancerversary! It sounds like you've got a busy schedule ahead of you. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Congrats on your daughter's wedding. I know that can be an exciting/stressful time. Make sure you take care of yourself over the next few months. Best wishes, Bill (p.s.-it takes me five minutes to type in "Rinaina", so please don't be offended if I just call you "Rainy" from now on. wink.)

rinaina · 04-05-2008, 09:25 PM

Bill, Rina is fine!

Becky · 04-05-2008, 09:33 PM

Congratulations on your 2 yr cancerversary. It doesn't seem that long - I remember when you first joined and now you are at 2 yrs. What a journey!

As for your other woes, they too will past by and be done with. Before you know it, you will be telling us that your daughter will be having a baby.

Peace to you

rinaina · 04-05-2008, 09:36 PM

Becky, from your mouth to God's ears. I can't wait to be a Grandma!

Bill · 04-05-2008, 09:45 PM

Thanks, Rina it is then.

Jean · 04-05-2008, 09:59 PM

Rinaina,
Two years already, how wonderful! Like Becky I remember well when you joined. I am so happy to share this special joy with you. I am sorry to hear that you have to have additonal surgery, and happy about your daughter's wedding. You have much to enjoy so I wish you a fast and speedy recovery - please keep us updated.

Blessings to you,
Jean

duga35 · 04-05-2008, 11:47 PM

Congrats on your two year milestone!!!

I just wanted to add that my father suffers from parathyroid disease also and has the same effects that you described. He was dx about ten years ago and was having so many problems that we thought he was having a breakdown. The doctor finally did some research, and found that there was only place in the US that could even do the blood test for this. He is doing fine now, didn't have to have surgery, and only has to drink a mixture of magnesium and a few other things twice a day. He has to continue that for the rest of his life. You can really tell if he misses a dose or two because you can tell that he seems that he is slipping into a depressive state. It's very strange how that affects a person.

Before the doc dx's it, his answer was to start him on anti-depressants, and that really made things worse. He was curled up in a fetal position for about a week and wouldn't even speak until we found out what was going on.

rinaina · 04-06-2008, 02:14 AM

Duga35, sorry to hear about your father suffering with parathyroid disease. I am curious as to why your father didn't need surgery. Did he not have a tumor on his parathyroid gland or glands, (there usually are four of them)? I don't understand the reasoning behind the magnesium treatment...could you explain?

Sheila · 04-06-2008, 05:58 AM

Rina
Glad they will be getting this out of the way so you can totally concentrate on the wedding....as a nursing student, the first surgery i ever saw was a parathyroid tumor on a "middle aged" woman....that was in 1972...and her and I are both still around!
Before you know it, the wedding will be here and gone, then soon we will have Nana Rina.......which truly is the BEST time of your life....my #7 will arrive in the fall.
Happy Cancerversery Rina...and Many Many more to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Jo · 04-06-2008, 06:10 AM

Hi Rina (boy I'm glad you said typing "rina" was ok - I always have to look back like 3 times to figure out where all the "a's" and "i's" go

)

I'm so happy you have reached your 2 year cancerversary. What a milestone. Also, congrats on your daughter's upcoming wedding. Such fun and so much to look forward too.

As for your other "health concerns," I'm sure these too will work out fine and next thing you know your 3 year cancerversary will be here.

One more thing.............your new picture looks great OR should I say YOU look great.

Love & God's Peace to you today,

Mary Jo

tdonnelly · 04-06-2008, 06:25 AM

Hi Rinaina,
Best Wishes on the upcoming wedding in your family. My oldest daughter is getting married in the next year; I am becoming an instant Grandma to three girls; age 3,7 and 9. I have a question regarding thyroid disease/Herceptin. I am hypothyroid (had partial thyroidectomy), after my 11th Herceptin treatment my thyroid area felt really full for several weeks. It was scary as I never had that reaction before. My oncologist never recommended me seeing an Endocronologist during my treatment. I have tried to research bc/thyroid disease on the Her2+ info. website with no luck. I have since stopped treatment but need to make a decision soon. Who oversees your thyroid disease while having bc treatment? Any info would be appreciated. Take Care. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Tamara
Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Joy · 04-06-2008, 08:13 AM

You have such a full plate, my friend. There are so many things to look forward to and some good to celebrate! I hope all the other stuff can just get controlled/resolved without to much distraction from all the excitement. And your picture is stunning. you look vibrant and healthy and I'm going to continue to see you that way inside and out. with love from one Chicago girl to another.

rinaina · 04-06-2008, 08:45 AM

Sheila, I have heard just how delicious it is to be a grandmother and I look very forward to it someday in the near future. My kids use to call my Grandmother Nana so that name remains near and dear to me. It was good to hear that your first surgical parathyroid patient is doing well. I know I will too. Hope you are doing well. How are you enjoying your break from treatment?

duga35 · 04-06-2008, 09:46 AM

I really don't know why they didn't do surgery on him. I'm not even sure if they checked tumors etc. It was ten years ago so maybe they didn't feel it was warranted at that time.The only treatment has been this powdered magnesium mixture that he mixes with water twice a day and drinks it. I know that when he first started it he could even buy it over the counter. Now its prescription only. For the life of me I can't remember the name of the drug but I will ask him tomorrow.

dhealey · 04-06-2008, 11:04 AM

Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary! I know you have a full plate right now, as my daughter is getting married in 2 two weeks. My thoughts and prayers are with you that your surgery turns out well.

rinaina · 04-06-2008, 11:18 AM

Marejo and Joy, you both made my day. Thanks for noticing my new picture courtesy of Sheila. I still don't know how to upload pics on my computer but keep promising myself to learn. I think I need a tutor! Also thanks for your good wishes and Joy, how could I not be upbeat and positive when I have such good role models such as yourself.
Tdonnelly, I have been done with treatment since early September and my parathyroid problems didn't start until after that. I am being followed by all my doctors but in particular by an endocrinologist and a nephrologist. My breast surgeon is also an expert at parathyroid and thyroid surgery too so he will perform my surgery.
Jean, two years did fly by but I never would have believed just how fast! Thanks for your well wishes. Life certainly isn't boring for me but once in a while I wouldn't mind it to be a little less eventful in the health department. I am sure everyone can relate to that. Still, in the scheme of things, I consider myself extremely fortunate. As always, I can always count on my her2 family to be there for me. Hugs to all.

Paris · 04-06-2008, 11:20 AM

Hi Rina, I also congratulate you on reaching the 2yr mark and on your daughter's upcoming wedding! How were your parathyroid issues diagnosed? I had my TSH and parathyroid checked and it came back secondary hyperparathyroidism. This was about six months ago. My onc. never told me about the results. The only reason I know about it is because I got a copy of my records from him last week. My TSH was fine. One of the doctors I saw did think my thyroid was enlarged but subsequent doctors have said it's fine. I'm not sure what to do about it. On the one hand I should probably find out what all this is but on the other hand, I am so tired of sitting in doctor's offices! I feel like I fix one problem and get handed another.

I would appreciate any advice you could give me and anyone else for that matter.

Jamie

rinaina · 04-06-2008, 11:28 AM

Routine blood tests that my onc ran showed increase PTH, calcium and creatinin levels. He in turn suggested I see both an endocrinologist and a nephrologist which I did. I have primary hyperparathyroidism which basically means it didn't happen because of something else causing it. I had a nuclear scan as well as an ultrasound that confirmed their suspicions of a tumor on the parathyroid but it was a surprise to find multiple nodules on my thyroid. One nodule on the thyroid is going to get biopsied next week to determine if any surgery on that gland is needed as well. The type of nuclear scan was a Sestimibi Scan which leaves a radioactive marker on the gland that uptakes it so during surgery they can go in with this geiger type instrument that locates the affected gland. Most people have about 4 parathyroids and usually only one is affected. Hope this info helps. Let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you. I noticed that our bc diagnosis is quite similar.

caya · 04-06-2008, 11:36 AM

Hi Rina,

Mazel Tov on reaching your 2 year cancerversary mark - it is a real milestone. Sorry about your other health issues, I wish you a complete and speedy recovery following your surgery.

Enjoy all the preplanning and events before your daughter's wedding, this is such a fun time. Again I wish you Mazel Tov for this wedding as well.

all the best
caya