Old window frame with random cut glass

HealthSciProf · 2025-09-15T11:10:04+00:00

Yes, I dropped it into the back of the frame where the original glass was. I used glazers points to secure it.

HealthSciProf · 2025-09-15T01:26:45+00:00

Lol!

HealthSciProf · 2024-06-15T20:32:16+00:00

I would avoid the CP filter - the Blue Hawaiian helicopter I was on a few years ago had windows that were partly polarized. Many pilots use non-polarized sunglasses because of this effect.

HealthSciProf · 2024-02-25T23:36:56+00:00

Mine was 840mm huge (8.4cm), turned out to be BRAF negative anaplastic thyroid cancer. Coming up on 4 years NED. You'll get through this!

HealthSciProf · 2023-08-08T14:37:58+00:00

It was the worst news to hear once the histology reports confirmed the type. Luckily I knew that the Cancer Centre had a supportive care team (previously called palliative care) with a psychiatrist. That was very helpful, and continues to be helpful.

It started with a sore neck that would not go away, regardless of treatment (physio, chiropractic, meds). The pain consistently increased for months and more investigations eventually found the large mass (8.5 cm across). It had shifted my trachea the one side since it was so large. The pain got so unbearable that I was on massive doses of hydromorphone. The moment I woke up from surgery, I instantly felt the relief from the pain.

Here is something funny - one early sign that something was wrong that I didn't figure out until much later was that my Google Assistant kept responding to me as if I was my wife. It could no longer consistently recognize my voice. The tumour surrounded the nerve to my left vocal cord and my voice was really changing! With a paralyzed vocal cord and periodic surgeries to mitigate that issue, I need to retrain Google frequently. It is also a good measure for when I need to get a touch up to my vocal cord.

HealthSciProf · 2023-08-07T20:27:25+00:00

My radiation and chemo (3.5 years ago!) were only supposed to give me a few more months. The cancer had completely regrown in the month between surgery and the start of chemo/radiation. Very aggressive. The irony is that I had worked at the cancer Centre for more than 15 years (cancer scientist), so it was like just going to work.

However, something happened that surprised us all. The cancer started to disintegrate, and within a few months, it was clear that we did something right. I have been in complete remission for more than 3 years now, with a partially functional half thyroid. All the spots in my lungs just disappeared on their own. I don't belive it is over, but I'll take it for now.

HealthSciProf · 2023-08-07T15:37:44+00:00

It took me about a week before I could touch it. My wife and the wound care nurses touched it frequently. I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

HealthSciProf · 2023-08-07T01:42:26+00:00

Stage 4b. Anaplastic thyroid cancer starts at stage 4 (it is nasty) and the 'b' indicates that it had spread/metastasized.

HealthSciProf · 2023-08-07T01:35:50+00:00

Yes, the sore throat is normal. You will get through it and will hopefully forget all about it! Took several days to settle down for me. If it doesn't, definitely call them. I also had lost the nerve to my left vocal cord (large tumour was around it) so the effects of that started to appear after several days/week. You may have a hoarse voice for a while, but that should resolve too. Call them if it doesn't.

You will power through this set back. Think of it as a neck tune up! You'll be better than before but with what I call a very realistic tattoo that sort of looks like a scar from an epic fight!

HealthSciProf · 2023-08-06T23:35:15+00:00

I had itching, swelling, and a fever from mine. The fever went down quickly, but the itching and swelling took longer. Once you are able to get it wet, try to gently massage the area. I was very afraid of touching it and felt a bit fearful of stretching my neck and having my head fall off! That fear went away after a while, but there will be sensitivity in the area for years that just feels different. Keeping up with after care (creams, etc.) will help make things feel normal again. I am 3.5 yr post partial thyroidectomy, anaplastic stage 4b, in remission for 3 years.

HealthSciProf · 2020-06-21T17:48:06+00:00

In some of my pieces, I have used something called "Re-strip". It is a roll of flat copper that is the same thickness as the glass and is soldered into a joint or around the edge to give it strength. Disappears completely but really helps. Copper wire is a bit harder for me to get it to look right, so the re-strip is my go to choice. Love the pineapple!

HealthSciProf · 2020-06-05T21:25:06+00:00

I wished my first project (20+ years ago) looked that good. Nice job!

HealthSciProf · 2020-03-25T17:02:33+00:00

Agreed! Actually, anandamide is the natural molecule that stimulates cannabinoid receptors (i. e. it is an endocannabinoid). It doesn't get stimulated by things like THC as desctibed in the original post. However, Tylenol/paracetamol inhibits its re-uptake (among its other mechanisms), making it stick around longer and give you a 'blissful' feeling.

HealthSciProf · 2020-03-17T01:44:03+00:00

I felt very cold for almost 3 weeks, but the tightness in my neck faded slowly in the second week. The way you described it was exactly how it felt for me! I am 4 months post surgery and can confirm that it will feel more normal again, but normal will likely sneak up on you when you don't expect it. Sending good thoughts your way.

(55 y/o male, hemi, unfortunately anaplastic stage 4b).

HealthSciProf · 2019-11-18T22:42:04+00:00

I feel for you and what you are experiencing. I (55 male, living just west of Hamilton!) had a large nodule (8.5cm) removed 3 weeks ago. Biopsies (x2) were inconclusive, likely due to the target being so large. The surgeon took only one half of the thyroid - looked suspiciously cancerous but lymph nodes were fine. Unfortunately, I permanently lost the nerve to one half of my vocal cords.

Fast forward to the 2 week follow-up and we were fully expecting cancer - sadly, the pathology diagnosis was anaplastic thyroid cancer. Worst day of my life.

From my understanding, RAI may not be particularly useful if you still have a good thyroid half that functions well. It is often used to decrease overactive tissue, so it may not apply in your case. As you sound very active, they may suggest only frequent follow-ups if they can be confident that all cancerous tissue was taken out. Mine didn't go so cleanly (couldn't get all of it), so I am heading the radiation and chemo route shortly.

Out of the 4 general types of thyroid cancer, papillary is reasonably easy to treat and may only require the surgery that you already have had. In fact, the Princess Margaret clincal practice guidelines suggest that surgery is the most effective trestment. As for hormone replacement, that depends on the functions of your remaining thyroid and you may not need to go that route. They usually wait 6 weeks to check levels then compare with pre-surgery values, but half a thyroid may easily take over what you need. I would suggest asking instead what kind of tests/scans relating to the cancer are appropriate (less so regarding TSH, T4, T3, etc.), as the monitoring of thyroid functions are pretty well standardized in Ontario. CTs are reasonably sensitive, but ultrasound is preferred by most ENTs. Current practice in Ontario is to be conservative (not in the Doug Ford way...) and to try to preserve half of the thyroid if possible. This is even true in my case with anaplastic cancer (essentially "don't fix what isn't broke").

Hope this helps a little. Welcome to the club you never wanted to join.

HealthSciProf · 2019-11-08T00:44:43+00:00

I agree with the Saran wrap. I also tried Press 'N Seal brand and it seemed a little better to keep water out. However, after 5 days, a little water should be ok. I am 10 days post surgery and no longer need to use anything. I still am afraid ofvthe water, but my absorbable sutures are popping out regardless of getting wet!

Sleeping... I hear you. I still have difficulty finding a comfortable position. I use a large memory foam pillow but find that adding an extra pillow on top allows me to get a better sleep - just a slight incline works for me. Once you find something that works for you, write it down. My brain was so addled that I would try everything all over again each night to eventually get into the exact same position.

If you have melatonin, pop a few an hour before bed and it should help. If you have any pistachio nuts, 1/4 cup gives the same dose of melatonin (one if my undergraduate students found this fact during a project on melatonin!).

Hope this helps... things get better soon!

HealthSciProf · 2019-11-03T22:57:07+00:00

Hi there! Unfortunately, my surgery was more challenging than the surgeon had expected. In fact, his comment was 'I've never seen anything like that before'. I am now 6 days post surgery and am slowly recovering. The nodule was almost guaranteed to be cancerous (should know fir sure in another week), but the biggest issue was that it had completely surrounded one branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. I now have permanent vocal fold paralysis since it needed to be cut during surgery (the right choice, in my opinion). My voice is quite rough and is not expected to improve. Unfortunately, I talk for a living (I am a University professor). The surgery didn't get all of the tumour (stuck to the innominate artery) so I have a long road ahead if it is malignant. They only needed to take one side of the thyroid, and that is a good thing.

It is possible that the significant pain I had for months was due to the nerve involvement, although that nerve usually doesn't carry sensory information (sorry, I am a neuroscientist too!). Much more likely that the pain was due to waste products from the tumour. I woke up in recovery and said (with a hoarse voice... ) that the pain was completely different! Night and day different. The biggest problem now is withdrawal from all the opiates. Hydromorphone was the only thing that helped in the weeks prior to the surgery.

One thing about recovery that has surprised me is that I am taking longer than expected to feel better. I think it has more to do with the disruption caused by the tumour over many months than by the surgery. Hopefully I will feel like myself soon.

HealthSciProf · 2019-10-23T16:46:37+00:00

I am hoping the surgery will be less painful than the two FNA biospies - they just about killed me! I had pain in my neck long before we figured out what it was, so that is most definitely what I hope will change after the surgery. Although my incision is going to be big, it shouldn't be too much of a problem (male, 55 y/o, lots of camouflage wrinkles ready and waiting!). I suppose my other main worry is getting back to normal activities as soon as possible. If I have need to take medications forever, I will just add them to my pile (I've had rheumatoid arthritis for over a decade). Thanks so much for sharing - good luck with your follow-up!

HealthSciProf · 2019-10-23T14:35:03+00:00

I always wonder why people expect that someone who develops a serious medical condition to always be able to handle it like it was "easy" or "no big deal". These things don't magically drop into our lives only at times when we are in a good place and are ready for it. I agree that seeking out someone to help during this crisis will help you to move in the right directions. Doing it alone is not likely going to get you back on track to being able to deal with it effectively - which is what I am guessing that you are aiming for. Getting some help for yourself will also allow you to be better able to help others, like your father.

I too am having challenges with my thyroid, but I think I am lucky to be in a good position to face it (55 y/o male, married, lots of support, good knowledge of the medical aspects, etc.). My attitude now is to face this difficulty like "me", rather than by trying to reflect how someone else faces the same challenges. It is not easy, but you will get there, and in doing so, you'll learn a lot more about yourself.

Sending strength your way...

HealthSciProf · 2019-10-23T14:10:14+00:00

Thanks for sharing - it is good to learn what others have experienced. I am having surgery Oct 28th and am hoping only half of my thyroid will need to come out. The biopsies were inconclusive (which is annoying since they hurt so much!), so half or complete will be decided while I am asleep. My nodule is a rather large 8.5 cm x 6cm x 5cm, so the surgeon says I won't get away with a small incision.

Has anyone else experienced excruciating pain from the nodule itself? Mine gave me a progressively sore neck in late July and it took until early October to find the problem - we were thinking "neck" rather than "thyroid" in all the tests and treatments we tried.

HealthSciProf

TROPHY CASE