One week from today, I’m having my cancerous thyroid removed.

For those that are new, last month, I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma. That’s a slow-growing cancer that (fortunately for me) has an excellent survival rate. Still, the whole gland has to come out because it’s covered in nodules, one of which we know for certain is cancer.

What I don’t know yet (and won’t know for a little while still) is whether or not it has metastasized anywhere else nearby. So, whether or not I’ll be cancer free after the surgery remains to be seen. Fingers crossed!

I’m preparing myself for surgery by doing a lot of meditation and visualization exercises. These help with stress and anxiety and help keep my nervous system regulated. That’s really important for people with fibromyalgia because stress and nervous system dysregulation lead to increased pain.

I’m coping with all this by writing and otherwise creating, obviously, but also by relying on my support system for those moments of anxiety that arise where I just need to talk things out. I am fortunate to have an amazing network of people in my corner, although my mental health care is a bit questionable right now due to issues at my health group.

My ultimate hope is that I’ll be cancer free, and with the help of the thyroid replacement hormone and my new endocrinologist, I’ll be feeling a lot better soon. Maybe even have some energy back? I’ve got big dreams, and I want to be able to fully chase them.

The fatigue from cancer plus chronic illness is unreal – but a very real barrier to me having any kind of fun. I’d love to be involved with my friends and community more the way that I was before, both online and in person.

Anyway, thanks for reading this little personal update! I hope to have news to share in a couple of weeks about my status.