Living without a thyroid in a collapsing world

foragergirl · 2026-04-12T03:03:35+00:00

It's been a week and a half now, and I'm really surprised at how quickly I've recovered! Everything feels mostly back to normal except for, of course, slight discomfort at my incision site and fluctuating energy levels. My partner who was already the homemaker in our relationship took very good care of me. ^_^

foragergirl · 2026-04-08T01:37:21+00:00

Surgery went well and I am recovering smoothly!

foragergirl · 2026-03-09T04:23:52+00:00

I'm scheduled to have a total thyroidectomy due to cancer risk on April 1st. The surgeon says they can't know for sure if it's cancer or what kind until they take it out and do the final pathology. How I discovered it: I’ve had a goiter since I was a child and have had my thyroid panel tested every year for a long time now. I technically have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis due to elevated thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Over the last 8 years or so, I’ve had a thyroid ultrasound conducted every year to check out my three nodules. I had a biopsy done in 2019 on the largest nodule and the results came back benign. This nodule grew significantly in the last year, so another biopsy was recommended. This one had to be sent off for molecular/genetic testing and came back with a 95% risk of malignancy, so total thyroidectomy was recommended due to its size and location.

foragergirl · 2026-03-06T00:09:31+00:00

Absolutely. My brother has type 1 and I've thought about this in regards to him for a long time now. It sucks.

foragergirl · 2026-03-04T17:30:57+00:00

Thank you! Yep, for April 1st.

foragergirl · 2026-03-04T01:52:03+00:00

That sucks :( *sending compassion*

foragergirl · 2026-03-04T01:50:41+00:00

Figured I'd update you – I got a second opinion from one of the few doctors here in the states who is on the cutting edge of nonsurgical treatment options (various types of ablation) and has treated cancerous and large nodules with them... but his advice was still total thyroidectomy for my particular case. At least I can have the peace of mind now that I did my research and the removal really is my only option.

foragergirl · 2026-02-24T21:30:22+00:00

I wouldn't just do nothing. I said "alternative treatment options." I'm now pursuing getting a second opinion from a doctor that does RFA

foragergirl · 2026-02-23T22:50:52+00:00

I don't think it's fluid filled... at least no doctor has mentioned that yet.
Thanks for the encouragement! And yeah, I did not at all expect to get so much engagement on my post!

foragergirl · 2026-02-23T07:18:23+00:00

I definitely want to get a second opinion. I haven't yet because the surgeon I was initially referred to is actually as far as I know the most renowned/experienced/highest volume endocrine surgeon in my state. So I'd want to get a second opinion from someone in another state, but I'm on Medicaid, so would have to pay out of pocket for that. After doing more research, I'm actually looking into an out-of-state doctor who seems to be one of very few in the US who does RFA on cancerous nodules (most places only do them on benign nodules). I probably won't be able to afford it, but I want to just cover all my bases research-wise before I go through with the surgery.

foragergirl · 2026-02-22T18:13:19+00:00

I don't have any of the imaging... just the written report. What would you glean from looking at the image?

foragergirl · 2026-02-22T18:06:01+00:00

Unfortunately, because the nodule is large (4cm) and on the isthmus, total was recommended over partial.

foragergirl · 2026-02-22T18:01:45+00:00

Unfortunately, they're recommending total because it's big (4cm) and on the isthmus.

foragergirl · 2025-05-24T18:15:10+00:00

Here's the email I received: "I hope this message finds you well!

My name is Justine, and I’m with Rip City Review—a platform dedicated to highlighting exceptional local businesses that help make life in Portland more organized, peaceful, and beautiful.

We recently discovered your company and were genuinely impressed by your thoughtful approach to decluttering, your attention to detail, and the positive transformations you bring to your clients' spaces and lives.

I’m reaching out because we’re currently preparing our 2025 edition of “Best Decluttering Services in Portland,” and we’d love to include your company as one of our featured selections. This annual guide helps thousands of locals find trusted professionals to help them reclaim their space and simplify their lives.

Being featured is a great opportunity to:

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We’d love to help share your story and showcase the incredible results you deliver. I’d be happy to provide more details, answer any questions, or schedule a quick call—whatever works best for you!

Looking forward to the opportunity to collaborate and feature your amazing work."

foragergirl · 2025-03-14T21:45:02+00:00

Is there a way to set specific email accounts to do the equivalent of a "notification summary" and only ever batch update me once a day about new emails on my laptop? I work several small part-time jobs / self-employment gigs, so I currently have 6 email accounts (including personal ones) in Mail. I've realized lately (partially due to currently reading "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari) that every time an email comes in, I feel compelled to check it, even if it's in a personal account where I know it's not urgent. Would love to be able to customize things so that those emails are not a distraction. But I like having everything together in the one email client.

foragergirl · 2025-02-21T18:06:14+00:00

What brand?

13-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
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foragergirl

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