Ode To The Thyroid

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The thyroid is such a funny thing wrapped inside your neck
I’m strong I’m tough I’m young and bold so thyroid…..what the heck
It won’t stop me from doing well and living life in full
It’s such a tiny little thing who said it had to rule

I don’t see why I feel so cold my fingers hurt like mad
I don’t see why I feel fatigue why is it so so bad
Why is that I fall asleep at every given chance
The muscle cramps the tired legs the sickly looking stance

I would get help for all these things but my memory lets me down
I m going mad it’s just not fair I forgot the way to town
My minds a fuzz my hair is thin my nails a breaking fast
The lack of hair around my eyes gives everyone a laugh

Please doctor can you help me now as I really feel so sad
You call me in and look away you think I’m going mad
The test are taken all sent off, now its time to wait
At last there is a reason something I can hate

And hate you very much I do for months of grief and strife
For all the days you made me bad to both my kids and wife
You will not win this battle now as I have all the facts
But hell it’s hard to fight this thing and get myself on track

So all of you both young and old take heed and listen good
You can’t ignore your body’s voice even if you could
Oh so fast things slow down you don’t see what it is
Your thyroids got you by your throat yes you! Not mine, not his.

Jack Frost

Finally, the day was here, October 7th, the Monday I had feared but wished to come by faster as well. On our way to the OSU hospital, I was in good spirits. The weight was over, a biopsy would declare what kind of battle I would have to fight soon. Pills or radiation, perhaps the big scary “C”.

One hour later, we left, still in good spirits but very confused. Scared? No, we were just relieved.

No biopsy was taken. “It’s too large and I couldn’t cover all the possibilities.” The doctor looked at me and gave it straight, as I had asked her to. “I normally don’t recommend it, but your thyroid has to come out asap.”

Voila, there it is. The verdict. She won’t do the surgery, but a specialist she highly recommends. “One of the best, you won’t even notice the scar on your neck,” she added.

“I am 60 years old, as far as I am concerned he can leave a ZORRO mark,” I blurted out and I think I meant it. We all laughed, which was needed.

To my surprise, the doctor’s office called today already. I have an appointment on the 23rd of October, to meet the doctor and to discuss the path from there. It seems to move fast now, which is good.

Interestingly enough, my thyroid still functions very well, but it’s a bit on the low end, which could explain some of my health issues.

I found the above poem by Jack Frost by accident and thought it was perfect for today’s post. The cartoon at the beginning made me giggle. I had asked to add thyroid blood work to my normal blood work frequently for at least six years. Just a hunch that I couldn’t explain logically, but nothing. Yet each and every time my blood lab work came back normal, just on the low side, yet inside of me it grew and grew. So I could relate, sorry for the visual. I am still smiling!

I am fine and in a very good spirit. As my doctor and others said, a very large thyroid gland doesn’t mean it’s cancer, even the nodules can be harmless and if it’s cancer, then “That’s the one to have,” my doctor added. Very comforting! 🙂

Tomorrow I will call all my students and my customers because I have a feeling I will retire my thyroid before the holidays. At least now it’s moving forward, which is good.

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