It is a cause of concern......when you receive in the post a special card titled 'SNP Card' with a covering letter as follows:
"Please find attached an SNP card; a courtesy we would like to extend to you so that you can be bulk-billed for any further Medicare eligible outpatient pathology services this year."
Just gave up 4 vials of blood today before the follow-up appointment with the surgeon next week.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
30 Years of Pac-Man Today!
Google has chosen to commemorate this special occasion by creating the 1st ever interactive Google Icon on its homepage where you can actually play the game!!
Don't know how long it will last but abit of nostalgia for those of us aged over 25.
Don't know how long it will last but abit of nostalgia for those of us aged over 25.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Forgetfulness
Forgot to take my medicine yesterday- really messed me around.
Having dizzy spells, headaches and general forgetfulness.
Feeling guilty about going back to work half-days this week already.
Having dizzy spells, headaches and general forgetfulness.
Feeling guilty about going back to work half-days this week already.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Cancer Diary #3
It's been exactly 1 week today since I was discharged from hospital.
We decided to go out (at my request) on a little 'shopping' trip today so I could try and walk around for abit to get myself moving more. 3 hours later I was ready to go home again, totally exhausted.
The scar seems to be going along nicely. The surgeon was right to be impressed with his handiwork.
It's been cold these 2 days here so a good excuse to wear jackets and scarves that cover the neck.
Now the medical bills start arriving in the post.
Can't put a price on your life though.
We decided to go out (at my request) on a little 'shopping' trip today so I could try and walk around for abit to get myself moving more. 3 hours later I was ready to go home again, totally exhausted.
The scar seems to be going along nicely. The surgeon was right to be impressed with his handiwork.
It's been cold these 2 days here so a good excuse to wear jackets and scarves that cover the neck.
Now the medical bills start arriving in the post.
Can't put a price on your life though.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Cancer Diary #2
I don't get it.
I sit around and do nothing all day but still feel very tired.
Had a couple of emotional moments in the last few days- sometimes it just happens and then I feel abit better afterwards.
Mum has been coming over and massaging my feet. Now that she is retired she has been doing plenty of tai-chi with the local neighbours and reading up on reflexology books.
She might also try and find a bell for me that I can use around the house.....
I sit around and do nothing all day but still feel very tired.
Had a couple of emotional moments in the last few days- sometimes it just happens and then I feel abit better afterwards.
Mum has been coming over and massaging my feet. Now that she is retired she has been doing plenty of tai-chi with the local neighbours and reading up on reflexology books.
She might also try and find a bell for me that I can use around the house.....
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Cancer Diary #1
That 'C' word.
It all started about a month ago, on a Sunday afternoon after church. Having lunch with family at home and started getting short, sharp stabs of pain in the right side of my neck. Approximately 3-4 stabs every 2 minutes.
Due to the pain level and consistency, went to the GP the next day to have it checked out. The GP took one look at me and said 'Hmmmm. Your right thyroid is larger than your left.'
She then proceeded to check and feel around the neck.
GP: Um....I can actually feel a lump in the top part of your right thyroid.
Me: Oh? Is that something I should be afraid of?
GP: We don't know yet, but I'd like you to have some tests so I can get a better idea of what that lump is.
Me: (pause).....um....ok.
One Blood Test and Thyroid Ultrasound.
At follow-up appointment:
GP: Well, the blood test can back normal. The Ultrasound indicates the lump is there, but I can't conclude exactly what it is. I'll need you to have more tests as I need to narrow it down to the following possibilities: a Colloid cyst, a Goiter or Cancer.
Me: (silence)
GP: Yes, that C word. That may be all that you remember from this appointment, but the one thing I want you to remember is this: that thyroid cancer is the turtle of all the cancers out there. It is the slowest growing cancer and if you had the choice of getting a cancer, then 'this' one is the 'best' one to have.
Me: Yes, thank you.
Had a Biopsy (Fine Needle Aspiration) in the neck to take out 2 samples of cells.
A week later...........
The cell samples came back abnormal last week.
I was referred to a thyroid surgeon.
Had the thyroid operation 3 days ago.
Surgeon confirmed it was Thyroid Cancer, and whole thyroid has been removed.
I will need to take thyroxin tablets for the rest of my life.
Will also need radioactive iodine therapy in a couple of months time to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Discharged late yesterday and now back at home to recover for 2 weeks.
A cancer survivor at the age of 28.
It all started about a month ago, on a Sunday afternoon after church. Having lunch with family at home and started getting short, sharp stabs of pain in the right side of my neck. Approximately 3-4 stabs every 2 minutes.
Due to the pain level and consistency, went to the GP the next day to have it checked out. The GP took one look at me and said 'Hmmmm. Your right thyroid is larger than your left.'
She then proceeded to check and feel around the neck.
GP: Um....I can actually feel a lump in the top part of your right thyroid.
Me: Oh? Is that something I should be afraid of?
GP: We don't know yet, but I'd like you to have some tests so I can get a better idea of what that lump is.
Me: (pause).....um....ok.
One Blood Test and Thyroid Ultrasound.
At follow-up appointment:
GP: Well, the blood test can back normal. The Ultrasound indicates the lump is there, but I can't conclude exactly what it is. I'll need you to have more tests as I need to narrow it down to the following possibilities: a Colloid cyst, a Goiter or Cancer.
Me: (silence)
GP: Yes, that C word. That may be all that you remember from this appointment, but the one thing I want you to remember is this: that thyroid cancer is the turtle of all the cancers out there. It is the slowest growing cancer and if you had the choice of getting a cancer, then 'this' one is the 'best' one to have.
Me: Yes, thank you.
Had a Biopsy (Fine Needle Aspiration) in the neck to take out 2 samples of cells.
A week later...........
The cell samples came back abnormal last week.
I was referred to a thyroid surgeon.
Had the thyroid operation 3 days ago.
Surgeon confirmed it was Thyroid Cancer, and whole thyroid has been removed.
I will need to take thyroxin tablets for the rest of my life.
Will also need radioactive iodine therapy in a couple of months time to kill any remaining cancer cells.
Discharged late yesterday and now back at home to recover for 2 weeks.
A cancer survivor at the age of 28.
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