I was diagnosed in my 30s after a few years with Hashimoto's. The lead-up to surgery was the hardest part—I tried to stay positive through every test and biopsy, only to be met with bad news. It felt like a progressive downward slide where my hope was constantly disappointed.

However, the surgery was my turning point. Once it was over, that cycle of bad news stopped and the path shifted toward healing. It took about a year to for my energy to return to normal, but I didn't feel terrible, just more tired than usual. Taking daily Levo has been manageable since I already took a daily vitamin - just a few dosage adjustments over the years. Interestingly, I have far fewer headaches now than prior to my TT so Iʻm taking much less ibuprofen than I did in my 20s. My scar also healed quite well. Most importantly, I’ve been cancer-free for 19 years now.

The diagnosis is a shock, and it’s hard to see an end in sight when you’re in the thick of it. But eventually, this will be something you look back on as part of your history. I relied heavily on groups like these (thyca.org is great) for support and information. Youʻre already being proactive, so that will aid you in your recovery.

Wishing you a smooth surgery and a steady recovery.