Wendy's Followup Appointment

When ENT doc scoped me today, he said that my right vocal chord is now completely repaired/restored. I have been a complex case for him because of all the weird complications. When I had woken up from the thyroidectomy surgery and for weeks after, i could barely talk & for awhile I made a wheezing/whistle sound when I breathed. He said I made his day & that it won't regress, so I am very grateful.

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Thyroid Cancer

What is Thyroid CancerThyroid cancer occurs in the cells of the thyroid — a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and weight.

Thyroid cancer isn't common in the United States. About 37,000 people are diagnosed with thyroid cancer each year, according to the National Cancer Institute. Thyroid cancer rates seem to be increasing, which doctors think may be due to new technology that allows them to find small thyroid cancers that may not have been found previously.

Symptoms
Thyroid cancer typically doesn't cause any signs or symptoms early in the disease. As thyroid cancer grows, it may cause:

A lump that can be felt through the skin on your neck
Changes to your voice, including increasing hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing
Pain in your neck and throat
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck
When to see a doctor
If you experience any signs or symptoms that worry you, make an appointment with your doctor. Thyroid cancer isn't common, so your doctor may investigate other causes of your signs and symptoms first.

Cause
It's not clear what causes thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer occurs when cells in your thyroid undergo genetic changes (mutations). The mutations allow the cells to grow and multiply rapidly. The cells also lose the ability to die, as normal cells would. The accumulating abnormal thyroid cells form a tumor. The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissue and can spread throughout the body.

Types of Thyroid Cancer
Papillary thyroid cancer. The papillary type of thyroid cancer is the most common, making up about 80 percent of all thyroid cancer diagnoses. Papillary thyroid cancer can occur at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 30 to 50.
Follicular thyroid cancer. Follicular thyroid cancer also includes Hurthle cell cancer. Follicular thyroid cancer typically occurs in people older than 50.
Medullary thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid cancer may be associated with inherited genetic syndromes that include tumors in other glands. Most medullary thyroid cancers are sporadic, meaning they aren't associated with inherited genetic syndromes.
Anaplastic thyroid cancer. The anaplastic type of thyroid cancer is very rare, aggressive and very difficult to treat. Anaplastic thyroid cancer typically occurs in people age 60 or older.
Thyroid lymphoma. Thyroid lymphoma begins in the immune system cells in the thyroid. Thyroid lymphoma is very rare. It occurs most often in adults age 70 or older.

Brokenness by Wendy Tuttle Jenkins

Last August, 2008, I felt really inspired to write about 6 poems. Very strange, because I never really wrote poetry. Remember, these were written before I had ANY idea of any cancer diagnosis. I used to think they were for someone else, but looking back now, I think God gave them to me to prepare my heart. This was my first one.

Brokenness
We never know what life will bring,
Whether good or bad, sunshine or rain.
We have no control, this is for certain,
For around the next corner, could be a collision.

When dealt life's blows, one can react in anger,
Slam the door on the world to escape the danger.
We can hide our feelings and mask our anguish,
But in the end we become sarcastic and selfish.

WE cannot explain why God allows our brokenness,
To pretend we understand, is the first sign of foolishness.

We could throw our fists in the air as some people do,
Look the creator in the face and ask Him, how dare you?
But what purpose would that serve with what time we have left?
To not ask Him for help would be the ultimate theft.

The nights are full of unrest and the depression is deep,
To overcome them we must turn on the light and receive.
There are those standing beside us expressing they care,
Just reach out and grab their hand and do not despair.
These are the Hands of God in the flesh,
Reminding us that He won't forsake us.

Here is the pearl and key to it all,
God is the first to see the sparrow fall.
If He cares that much to notice a bird,
How much more does He care that your prayers are heard?
He knows the hair on your head and numbers each one,
He sings over you at night and calls you His son.

Each grain of sand is matched to the stars in the sky,
The truth is you matter to God; He’s your biggest ally.
You are special and important and created in His image,
He knows the plans He has for you,
YOU are not alone in your pilgrimage.

~Wendy Jenkins, 08/2008, before any cancer diagnosis.

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Wendy's Comment regarding Wendy's Story

Just wanted to add a few things: I wrote this story to update my facebook page for just a few friends that I had not been in touch with. I had not seen this site until after my dear old friend Jan had posted my story (with my permission).

After reading how many people are being blessed by these wonderful caps, I feel very humbled to even have it included with all of you.

What a great tribute to your friend, Joyce; she must be grinning ear to ear from heaven as she cheers you and all of these wonderful people on. May God bless each and every one of you.

~Wendy

Wendy's Story

Wendy told her story of her recent cancer. It is quite interesting and informative. Her story shows that you should have anything unusual checked out. If a doctor shrugs it off and you feel that something isn't right, feel good about going to another doctor before you, too, shrug it off! Here is her story:

Well, let me start in the present: Recently, I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer...then had my thyroid removed (1-20-09) which turned out to be 5 tumors and some lymphnodes that had cancer too.

While I was in the hospital, my calcium dropped to dangerously low levels...as in my feet and hands went numb, my stomach...then my face started twitching at which time I hit the nurse button, I grabbed the phone and called my husband to say, "I think I am dying, I love you, good bye"...lol...Seriously, they kept me 9.9 days. arghh.

Today (3-13-09), I received 2 big radioactive iodine capsules to kill any remainder thyroid cancer cells. So things should be on the upswing right? I should add that the radioactive iodine pills (2) that they SAY don't make you sick, did make me sick: very nauseaus and my face and neck are very swollen. But no pain, no gain.


A few months ago (10-2008), I went in to have 3 moles removed. One was a mole that I had on my nose my whole life...turned out be Invasive Malignant Melanoma. Yeah me :)...Had a sentinel lymph node biopsy done which did show that melanoma had not traveled to those nodes and was clear, so I should be good. :)

I could show you some pictures, but they are not pretty. Especially, when they cut my face open to fix the hole they created in my face...like 40+ stitches externally and 10+ internally. stretching from my eye down my nose over to my mouth...Can't even tell now, but you should see day 2, ha ha ha. Scary!

Moral of the story...ummm, seriously have your whole body checked by a qualified dermatologist, especially if you spent time in the sun as a kid and/or frequented tanners...AND...when they tell you it's nothing, go with your gut and be your own health advocate.

They told me the nodule they felt on my throat was no big deal too and to sometime, way down the road, get it ultrasounded... & the mole, same thing...looks okay, we'll just send it out just in case, blah blah blah... Who knew you could die from a mole OR low calcium?...so now you know, the rest of the story. :)