On Thursday, my whole body scan was scheduled for 3 pm. After taking the I-123 pills and hunkering down for five hours, I returned to the nuclear medicine department at 2:45 pm. A nurse brought me in the back to…
The Results Are In!
I am thrilled to share some good news. After a week of testing—including 18 days on the low iodine diet, two Thyrogen injections, and an I-123 whole body scan, my radiation oncologist called me with the results. The scan showed…
Life Lately: An Update
This fall, as I settled into my new place, I finally felt like I could begin to catch my breath. The whirlwind that was this summer has ended, and now I have more time to take care of the things…
Three Easy Ways You Can Participate in Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
There are lots of reasons to love September—the start of pumpkin season, cool mornings, and cozy layers. But for me, it is more personal. September marks Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month, which is both a time for reflection on my journey…
My Three-Year Thyroidversary
Can you believe it’s been three years? I’m not sure where those years have gone, but for the last three years I’ve been surviving. They say after you battle cancer you are not cured — but you are a survivor….
What My Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis Taught Me
This past weekend, April 2nd, marked the three-year anniversary of my thyroid cancer diagnosis (you can read the full story here). It’s not something I choose to commemorate, but rather something my mind never lets me forget. Like it was…
The Doctor Will See You Now…
Three years after my thyroid surgery, the struggle to find a good endocrinologist is real. If you are a fellow thyroid patient, perhaps you can relate. The first time I heard the word endocrinologist I had no idea what kind…
My Second Thyroid-versary
As I welcome my second thyroid-versary, which not only happens to be today, but is met with a follow-up appointment to see my surgeon in New York City, I am reminded of how far I’ve come in the last two…
Losing My Butterfly
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of the neck. Ironically, Vanessa, in Greek, means butterfly. Two years ago yesterday, on April 2, 2013, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and lost my butterfly. I remember…
Learning to Live in the Moment
After doing a little self-reflection this past week, I gave some thought about what it really means to live in the moment. I fully admit that I am not an expert on the subject, but certain circumstances in my life…
One Year Out…
I am feeling very grateful as I sit down to write this post, which marks my one-year thyroid-versary. Last June, on a warm summer day, I awoke early with my hospital bag ready to go. I was heading to Weill…
