ANA Discussion Forum

Watch and Wait => For those in the 'watch and wait' status => Topic started by: wind6 on December 12, 2011, 06:05:51 pm

Title: Six years and counting!
Post by: wind6 on December 12, 2011, 06:05:51 pm
Hello all,
Thought I should write my update since I have been away for some time. I never meant to stay away but somehow life took over. To those of you that do not know me yet,  I was first diagnosed with a fairly large AN. I had surgery in August of 2005 and it turned out that my tumor was actually a facial neuroma. One year later my MRI showed a possible regrowth but, we were hoping it was only scar tissue. Well..no such luck! My tumor is slowly growing but, still not to a dangerous size.

I decided that I would make the very best of my situation. I went back to school. I earned my BA in 2009. I am now studying in a Graduate program at the University of Illinois. However, another health roadblock popped up last winter. Once again I was feeling terrible...and once again I tried to write it off to "just stress".  Through a series of things..first a low back injury that led to a diagnosis of severe osteoporosis, then since I am a little too young for that and I have no know risk factors, my doctors began a search for how my bones could be so bad. They found that I had Thyroid cancer that had metastasized to my lymph nodes and surrounding tissue.

I had surgery with a total thyroidectomy on March 1st. I went back to school this fall and have my last final tomorrow. Next semester I am going to try to do a full load while I am able. I am absolutely determined to get my MS. I may be getting to an age where I won't use it for long, if at all...but D*%%#@T...I worked too hard to quit now.  8)

I am always ready to listen and offer any support. Just send me a note.

Hugs all, Sherry
Title: Re: Six years and counting!
Post by: CHD63 on December 12, 2011, 09:50:25 pm
Hi Sherry .....

I was not on the forum when you had your first surgery, but we do share a common bond with a regrowth situation.

My first surgery was in February, 2008 to remove a 2.6 cm AN.  The very first MRI (at six months) showed an "area of enhancement" that was felt to be scar tissue until it suddenly grew to 1.3 cm at the three-year MRI.  Second surgery was in May, 2011 and I am doing well.

It sounds like you have some additional serious issues, which could complicate your situation.  I pray it all stays under control and you are able to complete your dream of achieving the MS.

Thoughts and prayers.

Clarice
Title: Re: Six years and counting!
Post by: Lou on December 13, 2011, 02:57:35 pm
Hi,I wasn't around first time either. Bless you,sometimes I think having a crazy and hectic life must be the common ground here, but I also think it is what keeps us sane......... I, like you have facial neuroma's I have two (lucky me) one on either side. I am very recently diagnosed, only a few weeks, but I shall pray and hope that I can keep laughing about the situation. I have given my neuroma's names and have told my coworker that he was ''doing my head in'' and now I have proof.They think it's great that I can laugh about it, but they are what they are and there is nothing I can do about it. Keep going and please keep us updated.
love and prayers are with you
Mand