Side Effects of Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Thyroid cancer is one of the more treatable cancers. I am grateful for this fact, as both my mother and myself were diagnosed and treated for the cancer. Her bout with thyroid cancer occurred over thirty years ago. Mine was just two years ago.

There are some reports that there may be genetic links to thyroid cancer, making some suspect I may have inherited the predisposition to the disease from my mother. Yet, for me, there could be other contributing factors. According to studies, those who were exposed to radiation treatment for childhood cancer, have a greater risk for thyroid cancer. Over thirty years before my thyroid cancer, I was diagnosed with cancer of the olfactory nerve. Treatment for that included removal of the tumor, and six weeks of radiation.

Several years after treatment for cancer of the olfactory nerve I was given a clean bill of health. I was about twenty-four years old at the time of the diagnosis. It would be another twenty-four plus years before my second experience with the dreaded C word would take place.

Both my mother and sister had their thyroids removed years ago, and each take daily thyroid replacement medication. This involves taking a pill each morning, for the rest of their lives. Unlike my mother and myself, my sister's thyroid was not cancerous. Because of their history with thyroid problems, I always had my thyroid checked during my routine annual medical examine.

Some people, like my mother, discover their thyroid problem by noticing a protrusion or growth in the front of their neck. Other sufferers might complain of gaining weight or an inability to loose weight. Like my sister, not all patients with thyroid problems include cancer.

In spite of regularly checking for any thyroid complications, it wasn't until I participated in a health screening that a possible problem was detected by ultra sound. I then made an appointment with an ears, nose and throat specialist. The doctor took a second ultra sound, and discovered a problem.

Before treatment was prescribed the doctor took a biopsy of the thyroid. This entailed inserting a needle into the front of my throat, directly into the thyroid. Fluid was removed, and sent to the lab for testing. This is not a pleasant procedure, and was done in the doctor's office, without any local anesthesia. My recommendation to any confronted with this test, take a deep breath, relax, and begin a Lamaze type breathing and focusing to ease you through this procedure.

The tests came back positive for cancer. I was scheduled for surgery to remove my thyroid. The doctor warned me that my neck area would be in excruciating pain a day or so after the surgery. He told me it was not a possibility, it was inevitable and to be prepared.

I was only in the hospital several days, and recall nothing extraordinary about the surgery or my stay. During the days following my surgery I waited for the pain predicted by the doctor. While I was mildly uncomfortable, I did not experience any major pain. Perhaps the pain medication simply did its trick.

After a patient has their thyroid removed, they are put on daily thyroid medication, and must remain on it for their entire lives. But when you have thyroid cancer, the doctor waits a month or so before your treatment begins. The reason for this, you are being prepared for the radiation treatment which will eradicate any remaining thyroid cancer.

During these weeks your body is slowly being depleted of the chemicals your thyroid once produced. Expect to gain weight during this period. My recommendation is to be very careful with your diet. If you feel sorry for yourself and splurge on calories, you will regret your carelessness. Do not allow other to encourage you to eat as some sort of reward or compensation for your experience.

Other symptoms you will experience during the weeks after your surgery, before you are put on thyroid replacement, is depression and exhaustion. Usually we begin to feel better the days after surgery, with each day getting a little better. It is the opposite with thyroid cancer. After your surgery you may initially begin to feel better in regards to the pain around your neck area, yet soon you will begin to grow more and more tired, be unable to focus, and become depress and emotional. This is why I sternly warn about taking care with your diet. Even if you are careful you will probably gain about ten pounds. But if you overeat, you will sorely regret it!

I was unable to return to work the weeks after my surgery. It was very difficult to focus. I found myself flipping through the television channels, unable to settle on one program. Although I am an avid reader, I could not even begin a book.

What did help me through the weeks was my hobby of genealogy research. I used this time to do on-line research, and play genetic detective. It helped pass the time, and was both interesting and stimulating. If you can find a similar project to pass your time, it may help alleviate the feelings of depression.

Finally I was given a radiation pill, and remained in seclusion for about three days. During my seclusion I had to stay away from family members and pets, and take obsessive care with the handling of sheets, clothing and linens.

During my isolation I was instructed to suck on hard candy, to keep my saliva flowing. By the second day hard candy made me nauseous. For over a year after my treatment, just looking at hard candy made my stomach turn.

The radiation treatment will give the patient a metal taste in their mouth. But what was really bizarre, when my husband entered the room several days later, he could also taste the metal.

After the radiation treatment was completed the doctor prescribed thyroid replacement. It often takes a while before the correct dosage is determined. Patients must regularly have blood tests, to reevaluate their dosage. These days I am tested about every six months, and it has been a while since my dosage was changed.

If you are undergoing treatment for Thyroid Cancer, be grateful, it is one of the more treatable cancers.