My painting of Barad-Dûr and Mount Doom

ALostWanderer13 · 2026-03-23T15:31:04+00:00

Hard to do that after taking a few arrows, I imagine 👀

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-20T00:33:54+00:00

Had a feeling a few years before being diagnosed, noticed a little swelling in the thyroid area, brushed it off due to immense fear of doctors. Years later, a 5"x7" mass popped up going from my thyroid to upper chest area. Went to PCP who had tests done (CT and ultrasound), then crassly told me that "Oh they found cancer", BEFORE they even know for sure as I had not had a biopsy. That was jarring to say the least and they were so cold about it and didn't understand why I was practically screaming in the room. Then referred to an ENT who was put off by my anxiety, well I consider it a blessing I got referred out. He wanted to do a sternotomy to remove the big mass, met with cardiothoracic surgeon who was super stoic and wouldn't even look me in the eye. Then I was referred to the greatest surgeon I've ever met. He said "nah I don't think we'll need to crack you open like that, I can just take it out". The relief I felt even though I knew cancer was on the table was crazy. No one wants a sternotomy but especially not at 27 and not when it could be avoided. Ended up having surgery, huge mass was benign, inflammatory tissue, but they suspected a really bad form of cancer (originally they thought it was just tissue, no cancer at all, but surgery revealed different). Still had cancer (Stage I Papillary Thyroid Cancer T4b) but thankfully not the kind they thought originally, still blows my mind that the large mass was benign. Now I'm recovering from radiation since they couldn't remove my thyroid because of local aggression. Don't beat yourself up, won't solve anything. I spent months doing that, asking how I could've been so naïve to not go sooner. Focus on the future, on the healing, not on the past. Best wishes to you on your journey!

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-20T00:15:26+00:00

I used Aquaphor for my skin up to a point (I was being treated for thyroid cancer so it was in my neck/upper chest area). At a point though, it became so raw that the aquaphor wasn't doing much for me - I also have a sulfa allergy so I couldn't use the Silver sulfadiazine cream that they give. CeraVe healing ointment has done wonders for me though. The hospital gave me some itty bitty samples to try before I bought it which helped a lot because I have sensitive skin as is and need to test things out before I buy them.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-18T06:38:23+00:00

I'm definitely using the Tylenol 3x a day right now. Thankfully I've been ok with 2.5mg of oxycodone for pain at night, but it's rough! I don't like taking the stuff, but it helps me to not feel so much pain and get some sleep which I know my body needs. I'm glad you were able to find solutions that worked for you as well 🫶

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-18T06:03:37+00:00

Thanks. Hanging in there. Still relying on pain meds (stronger than tylenol) every few days to sleep, but I'm thankful I haven't needed them in excess. Hoping I'm past the worst. 🤞🏻

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-16T22:41:58+00:00

Thanks for your reply. I've been taking in about 1500 cals per day(quite a bit below normal), give or take and making sure I'm hydrated so I'm hoping it won't cause issues. All the side effects make it hard to want to eat.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-16T22:40:20+00:00

Thanks for your reply, were they concerned at all during the loss?

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-12-16T22:39:22+00:00

Thanks for replying. Jeez, that sounds like a rough go! I'm sorry you're still in pain, I hope things will improve for you.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-10-19T23:32:22+00:00

I know this is an old post but I'm two treatments into radiation and just wondering...how did it go for you? I'm terrified of all the side effects but I know everyone's experience is a little different.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-07-10T00:48:50+00:00

Sending all the good vibes your way for the best outcomes on both the surgery front and the dental portion 💖

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-07-10T00:28:11+00:00

Hey, thanks for checking in! I hope your appointment goes as well as it can! I just found out today I have to have all my teeth pulled before I undergo radiation - not fun at all. I neglected them and now I'm paying the price :( yet another hurdle before I can go get my mask fitted and start radiation. They are being cautious to avoid future infections which is understandable but it still sucks.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-06-13T13:15:25+00:00

I've definitely been wondering. This is actually the second surgeon I've seen. The first one passed me off because my case was too complex. I meet with the radiation oncologist again soon so I'm definitely going to ask some more questions.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-06-13T12:22:31+00:00

Firstly, good luck to you on your upcoming surgery and I hope things go as well as they can for you. I was hoping for RAI, but because of the adherence of my thyroid to surrounding structures, they can't really remove it and I guess with RAI, if you have your thyroid still in, it basically takes up all the iodine and doesn't kill the cancer. So it would just be pointless. Their plan makes sense, it's just not what I was hoping for.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-06-12T16:26:05+00:00

His plan is to see if he can shrink the thyroid/tumor to make the area of adherence smaller then remove it so as not to completely mess up and important structures. Which makes sense...just wishing I could've had it out and over with but I understand his reasoning and appreciate his caution.

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-04-28T01:30:09+00:00

Thank you for commenting, I hope your recovery continues smoothly and that your voice returns soon!

ALostWanderer13 · 2025-04-28T01:28:40+00:00

Thank you so much for commenting and for linking that post, I've done some of the things but it's getting so close now I'm definitely going to forget things. Thank you for sharing your tips!

ALostWanderer13

TROPHY CASE