So there’s every chance this whole cancer ‘thing’ will be a little blip and then back to normal (as normal as I’ll ever get anyhow!). Having seen the surgeon today I’m reassured by how routine this all is for him. He has no doubts it can be removed, contained…and I can get on with my life. Of course, thats not to say the next few months aren’t going to be difficult (and surgery in approximately 2 weeks time then radiotherapy). My sister reminded me we are strong people and have faced bigger difficulties before.
Too tired to say more now but no doubt will have more to say later!
6 responses so far ↓
Rob M // December 31, 2008 at 3:46 am |
I have read your blog also. I was diagnosed with grave’s about 19 months ago, and having guessed that I had it for about 4 years before diagnosis. Of course, as a male, I really never went to the Dr and just presumed work pressures were the reason I was feeling as I did, which in hindsight was terrible.
It is interesting to see that others do not have a great deal of fun dealing with the neomercazole either. I have found that my dose has been all over the place, and unfortunately, no remission.
So I have decided to have the radioactive iodine treatment in early Feb 09. I understand that it is then much more stable to deal with.
I think I have realised that grave’s just won’t go away, ever, and I have had enough of symptoms affecting me and those around me. I also have not had a great year, or more, sickness in the family, work troubles and another failed relationship. I think that grave’s has affected 3 relationships in a negative way now, and that’s enough. It is hard not being able to maintain a relationship, however, it is not how I want to live, or just exist, so I have to deal with it more permanently.
I am sorry to hear about your other medical problems, wishing you the best with treatment.
Funny how you live you life (I am now 37) and mostly you believe nothing will touch you in the health realm, until one day it just hits you. And you realise you have to deal with it, and it does take some of the fun out of things.
So, here’s to a much better 2009! Shouldn’t be that hard to achieve that!
Rob M
ratl1309 // December 31, 2008 at 5:02 am |
H Rob, thanks for letting me know about you! Nice to hear from a male Graves sufferer as I tend to feminise this disease I guess because of my own experience. Will be interested to hear how the radioactive iodine goes.
Take care and hope you have a happier 2009 too!
Rachael
Rob M // December 31, 2008 at 6:31 am |
Happy New year to you too!
Will keep you posted. Has been lovely, despite only recently coming into contact with your blog.
Funny, I have come across no female graves sufferers, but have come across two other men close to me that have it!
And I didn’t think you femanised it, because it gets us all the same way, or thereabouts.
Will log in again in the next couple of days.
Have a good one!
Rob
Rob M // December 31, 2008 at 8:09 pm |
It does suck being strong, but you are! You will be fine =)
Rob
Rob M // January 13, 2009 at 11:35 pm |
How are you going?
Rob
Cheryl M. // January 15, 2009 at 10:04 pm |
Hi Rachel and Rob,
Like many people I tripped across Rachel’s blog while searching for information on Graves disease-which I was diagnosed with in November of 2008. Yesterday I had the radioactive iodine treatment. Nothing to it Rob. Since I am a little ahead of the curve than you I will let you know how it goes. My internist recommended the rai treatment immediately-probably because my condition was fairly severe- also because of my age-49-and also because my surgeon will not do another surgery I need to get my life back,until my heart rate is under control.
Also I am a very impatient person-I have been sidelined nearly 3 years due to a different illness which this next surgery will help resolve and I quite frankly don’t need this new complication called Graves. Unlike Toni Childs-check Wiki-I don’t have the time, money or belief to retire to Hawaii for four years and use soap and water to align my chakras. Aaaaargh! I hope all the homeopathics will please forgive me. While I certainly believe the science that says stress can be a factor in illness-I do not for one minute believe that it is the cause of any illness. That is my belief. I would never deny someone the right to choose the right treatment for them tho. Live and let live is my motto. But lately I feel that the media is giving science a bad rap. I had to be on a lot of medications for a different illness-and took a lot of heat from people. My dad even said he thought the meds would kill me before the disease. I had to remind him that back in the 1800’s and before these medications became available-people just did die from the disease. I felt the meds. kept me alive. I’m tired of homeopaths making us feel guilty-even worse I worry some people may turn their back on western medicine to their own detriment.
Anyway Rob-I notice Rachel hasn’t blogged since the end of Dec. Let’s all of us readers of her blog send her some love and energy and hope. Let me know Rob how your treatment goes in February,
Peace from Nova Scotia, Canada
Cheryl