Cancer-Free for Another Year

[ivyblossom]

Just got the official news from my endocrinologist (the one who largely has no bedside manner, but who I have to admit is really growing on me with her impeachable competence, absolute non-judgmental attitude, and understanding that my quality of life depends upon her generosity with dosages) that my Tg is undetectable, which is the surest sign possible that I remain cancer-free. I told her about the boondoggle with my GP, and she is sending him a primer and explanation of her actions.

I think it would be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that "no cancer" is our default state, the state we deserve, and "cancer" is exceptional and the alarm state, and therefore feel that I am merely basking in the status quo, enjoying normal, just like everyone else. But I know the reality, which is that questions of deserving don't enter into it at all. So I maintain my sense of deep and abiding gratitude that I've been passed over for another year. There but for the grace of blind chance go I. A moment of zen.

My endocrinologist adjusted my meds, but only very slightly. She showed me the numbers and explained why my GP freaked out. She says I need to be kept at what would normally be considered "high normal" where thyroid hormone is considered, which on paper falls between 20-22. Currently mine is 24. A GP, apparently, would see this as a dangerous number and want to slash my dosage by half. But the goal is to keep me at 22, so I'm only a bit too high. Interesting! (Well, to me, at least!)

So instead of just dropping my dose, she's giving me two doses; one to take 3 days a week and one to take the other 4. I'm going to get only of those weekly pill containers old ladies need to keep track of all their drugs.

In sum: life is good. Life is very good. It's short at the best of times, don't forget!

Comments

[applekid]

Huh. Mine are lozenge-y ovals.

Glad you got official NED! :D

[elements]

Congratulations!

Mine are also lozengey ovals.

I've had one of the weekly pill sorter things for ages, and it helps a lot esp. given I take two other meds daily anyway (and one of those is now a lower dose twice a day and the sorter is VITAL for my remembering that one).

I have a friend who has a similar scheme, in which she takes 8 pills over the course of 7 days (on two days, not consecutive, she takes half of the extra pill) which seems to work best for her. After having had one (just one!) day where I missed a dose end up really fucking my energy the next day, I do that too if I ever miss a day (which is hard to do thanks to the amazing sorter). So basically, go sorters, they really do rock, and it's nice to be able to see days in advance when you'll need a refill (oh, after this week I only have 3 left! etc.) or to just plot out the number of days you'll be on a trip and take the whole thing along. (In a ziplock. Because those little compartments can open up.) For trips I double up in the compartments if I need to, and I always pack at least one extra day of pills. But it's kinda nice not to be dragging 3 different bottles with me.