After 21 days, the much-awaited phone call from my endocrinologist’s medical assistant FINALLY came. However, I was in a very busy and loud coffee shop, and despite stepping out into a quieter area, it was hard to understand when the assistant read portions of the letter she would be sending out the next day. Somehow, I didn’t hear that magical word, REDUCES until I had that little letter in my own sweaty hands and could read it for myself.
I was also a little taken back by the process. What if I HAD been diagnosed with cancer? Would she have merely been reading a typed out letter over the phone announcing this life-changing news? I am always thankful to be facing these types of scenarios with the Lord. I couldn’t do this alone.
“…The thyroglobulin (thyroid cancer marker) remains undetectable but as you are aware, you have antithyroglobulin antibodies which make the measurement of the thyroglobulin unreliable. The antithyroglobulin level 34.7 IU/ml is substantially lower than the last value of 173 IU/ml and reduces concerns regarding the possibility of residual thyroid cancer…Because of palpable lymph nodes in your neck, I would recommend that we proceed with a PET-CT scan…”
In Mindy language,
“The good news is that the antibody level is lower….
The bad news is having antibodies (even the lower level) gives an unreliable reading on cancer markers……
so it still doesn’t give us definitive answer concerning cancer…..”
The PET-CT scan will be March 4th, following thyrogen shots March 2nd and 3rd. From there I might get a better picture of what is going on – literally.
It has been three years of testing and watching and waiting to see if the cancer is back, wondering why I have these random lumps on my neck near the area where the original cancer was removed and why antibodies grew in my body AFTER the cancer was removed and not while it was in the body.
I guess I still can’t say I have cancer, and I can’t say I don’t. I just don’t know for sure. I was told at one time that I would never be cured and I would never be in remission. It can be a little awkward when people ask me how my health is. For years I have had to say, “I don’t know.” I still don’t know…yet.
But this I do know for sure – I have eternal life.
The Lord gave me the following thought a year ago when we seriously began testing, not just watching, the possibility of cancer returning. It is so much harder the second time, because I now KNOW the price I will have to pay for treatment.
He didn’t promise me a long life,
He didn’t promise me a healthy life,
He promised me eternal life, and that’s good enough for me.
I praise God for the eternal life that He gave me when I trusted His Son as my Savior October 11, 1982, and I will fight the good fight of FAITH.
Thanks for sharing! I, too, have been waiting to hear and praying for God’s healing and wisdom.Pam
Mindy, So glad to finally hear something from you about this. I really like what you say about the promise of Eternal life.