Congratulations Kristen(fortato)!

[mamalou]

I saw your siggie. What wonderful news!

Any interest in sharing your story?

[annasmom]

Kristen, everytime I think of you today I smile! This is absolutely wonderful news!!

[tarynsmum]

I see it too (well, OK, I sort of went looking...)

Congratulations!!!

[mamato1]

I do not know your story, however I am happy to see your siggie as well. Congrats on your good news!
Chris

Mama to Brendan, aka Boomer, my little peanut who is allergic to peanuts! 01/16/04


http://b3.lilypie.com/FnI6m5/.png

[fortato]

My gosh- thank you...

I would love to share my story!!!
I had a physical about 3 months before I got married, the doctor told me that my thyroid was enlarged, and that it wasn't anything to worry about, but I might want to keep an eye on it. The enlargement could have been caused by stress, or something, so I didn't worry about it.
Right after I got married (3 tears ago) I found out that I had a thyroid nodule. My endocrinologist and my PCP tried, unsuccessfully to control the growth of the nodule and they performed a biopsy. The biopsy revealed that I had "atypical cells" but not necessarily cancer. So, they decided to perform surgery and remove the right half of my thyroid. Immediately after the surgery, they sent my thyroid to the Path Lab and found out that there was a 1cm tumor that had grown in there. So, after waiting a couple of months to see how the left half was doing, they went ahead and scheduled me for another surgery to remove my left half. Good thing they did. in the 3 months (exactly) between surgeries, a 3 cm tumor had grown in the left side, which originally had nothing in it. That's the way thyroid cancer is. It doesn't normally metastisize the way most cancers do. It rarely goes into the lymph nodes, but it will race to the other side if it gets a chance, and of course, in my case it raced.

So I had the second surgery, and they removed the rest of my thyroid. That was September of 2004. I had a RadioActive Iodine treatment on Valentine's Day 2005. It was successful, but there was significant uptake of the Iodine in the thyroid bed, but, by the time they decided to do another scan I was pregnant. So, I had to wait... until Last week to get my Scan done. I've been waiting 20 months for this diagnosis, and it's finally here.

I am cancer free.
I am on medication to control my thyroid hormones, but it's a small price to pay. I'm going to be ok. That's all that matters.

Thank you for listening, and those of you who knew- thank you so much for your support. It meant the world to me.

Kristen

[mudder17]

Me too! I didn't literally dance with joy when I read the news, but my heart definitely did a bunch of twirls and poofy for you! :)


Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 31 months...

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http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[mudder17]

Here I am weeping for joy again. :)

{{{{{{Kristen}}}}}}

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 31 months...

http://www.tickercentral.com/view/6wrn/1.png

http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[MommyAllison]

Wow - congratulations! I'm so happy for you and your family!

Allison
Mama to DD 11/05

[buddyleebaby]

Huge hugs for a wonderful mama on a very happy day.

[MartiesMom2B]

Yay, congratulations. I'm so happy for you.

-Sonia
Mommy to Martie
& Li'l Girl Bunny to come Feb. 2007
http://bd.lilypie.com/Kchhm4/.png (http://lilypie.com)

[Puddy73]

Wow, congratulations! What happy, happy, news!

Jennifer
Mommy to Annabelle 9/08/03 & Finn 10/31/05

"If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane." - Jimmy Buffett

[kimbe]

Congratulations!

[LD92599]

What awesome news!

Laura
Will is three and a half - we're now making progress with sleeping!

[LD92599]

What awesome news!

Laura
Will is three and a half - we're now making progress with sleeping!

[jd11365]

Best.News.Ever!

What a scary ordeal you've endured! Your clarity, sanity and calmness through this ordeal, for as long as I've "known" you, has been inspirational.

[robinsonbn]

Congrats!!

[ribbit1019]

What fantastic news, I have tears of joy for you Kristen!!
{{{Hugs}}} :D

Christy
Wife to Richard
My Waterbabies
http://lilypie.com/pic/060928/Yw0w.jpg http://b3.lilypie.com/0vphm4.png
http://lilypie.com/pic/060928/iBmU.jpg http://bf.lilypie.com/uy3Mm4.png
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v221/steitzsmith/Other/jump.gif

[denna]

OMG Kristen. That is wonderful news. ((HUGS)) and Congratulations!!!

[kozachka]

That's great news, congratulations! What a load of your shoulders!

[mommyoftwo]

What amazing, awesome, incredible news. I'm so happy for you!

[barbarhow]

Kristen-Thank you so much for sharing your story. It gives me so much hope.
I went with my sister last week while she had her thyroid biopsied. We are still wating for the results.
Congratulations!
Barbara-mom to Jack 3/27/03, a Red Sox fan
and Anna 5/12/05, my little Yankee fan!

[Jo..]

Kristen, I've said it before and I'll say it again: you really are my hero.

If I could go through life being HALF the woman you are (half as brave, half as funny, half as loving) I would be thrilled. You spread happiness wherever you go.

I prayed for you all the time, and cried with everyone else when you shared your good news.

Take care mama. I'm so glad that this load is finally off your shoulders.

[hez]

Congratulations-- what wonderful news to receive after so long :)

[juliasmom05]

Kristen,

What wonderful news. I am so happy for you and your family :-).

Marci

Mom to Julia 4/05

[pb&j]

Hooray, Kristen! What fantastic news!!


-Ry,
mom to Emma, stillborn 11/04/04
and Max, 01/05/06

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/35775.gif
http://b1.lilypie.com/aKGqm5/.png[/img] ([img)

[Wife_and_mommy]

What fantastic news, Kristen! Congratulations. :)



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[Moneypenny]

Wow. I don't even know you and I'm all choked up! That's great news!!
Susan
mama to my cutie pie, Avery
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif[/img][/url]

[bubbaray]

Congratulations!

Melissa

DD#1: 04/2004

http://bd.lilypie.com/SasRm7.png

[Fairy]

Hi Kristin. In a year when I've seen literally three people I know very well and two of whom I loved dearly die of out-of-nowhere and insidious cancers, I am just so happy to hear a story where a good person like you has beaten it. Congratulations to you, I'm truly thrilled!

[fortato]

Barbara-
Please keep me posted on how things go with your sister! Big hugs to you and her. Your sister is very lucky to have you as a support system!!
I'll keep her in my thoughts while you await the results.

Kristen

PS- My Jack is a Red Sox fan too!! (Has no choice, we live in NH...)

[wencit]

I didn't know your story, either, but that's such wonderful news! I'm so happy for you!!!

[sidmand]

Hi Kristen,

I didn't know your story, so thank you very much for sharing it. That is wonderful news! Congratulations and best wishes for a long and healthy life!

Debbie
http://b2.lilypie.com/BI7Tm5.png

[jayali]

Congratulations Kristen and thank you for sharing your story. I will have a smile on my face the entire day hearing your good news.

[scoop22]

i had to read the post. i didn't know your story either. thanks for sharing.. it gave me goose bumps. that is fabulous..
http://b2.lilypie.com/XbITm4.png

[daniele_ut]

That is awesome news Kristen!!!!!!!!!

[brittone2]

Wow!!! Congratulations...what wonderful, happy, and uplifting news.

My cousin had thyroid cancer right around age 40 so it is something that I think about often.

I hope you are doing the happy dance :)

[mamicka]

Tears of joy here, too! My mom is also a Thyroid Cancer Survivor.

Allison

[tina-t]

Congratulations!

[saschalicks]

Wow! That is wonderful news. Congratulations!

[jamsmu]

Many congratulations to you!

[calebsmama03]

What wonderful news!
Mommy to C 3/03
And Miss P 5/05

[JTsMom]

Wow, what a story! Congratulations! That is really wonderful news. :)

[ErinMC]

NAK - What wonderful news!

Erin

Mom to Chase 2/04 and Logan 5/06

[newnana]

What fantastic news. I was just reading the riddle post when I saw your siggie. Then found this thread. You must be thrilled. You are amazing, mama!
Michelle

[fortato]

I am so grateful for all your wellwishes (is that supposed to be one word?)

I've been walking on air since I found out, and I am enjoying every second I get to spend with my family...
Finding out that the cancer is gone has been an amazing feeling.


Thank you so very very much.
I am sending all of you big old mental hugs, since you aren't all here to get them personally.


Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Kristen

[Corie]

Kristen,

Fabulous news!! Congratulations!! :)

[Alys the Cat]

I am reading this late, but wanted to congratulate you on your wonderful news! :)

[clc053103]

Kristen, what wonderful news!!!

I had a 3 1/2 cm nodule on my right side found in Feb 06- biopsy showed suspicious follicular cells, so I had my right side removed. The on-table biopsy found that it was not cancerous- I was very lucky. Unfortunately, I still need synthroid b/c my left side isn't pulling the weight for the right, but it's a small price to pay!

Congratulations to you on your long-awaited, well earned clean bill of health!

COurtney

[fortato]

I'm glad there was no cancer! Big huge hugs for you Courtney!


How is your recovery going? I know it's been over 6 months...

The synthroid is definitely a small price to pay. Especially since that little pill can do the same for us that that troublesome organ did.

Thank you Courtney, and congrats to you too!!
Kristen

[starrynight]

Congrats!!! Wonderful news :).

[kristenk]

Kristen, that's wonderful! You must feel so free now! Yea!!!

[clc053103]

I actually feel ok! I was put on 25 mg, as I was hypothyroidic (Sp?)- at my 6 mo check up, after 4 months on 25, I was at the very low end of the acceptable range. I was given a choice to stay at 25 or increase for a "Better" result- we went with increasing to 50 mg. Endocrinologist's concern (we are about the same age and both have babies a few months apart) was that if we decide to TTC, having too low of levels can cause miscarriage. WE are still up in the air on family plans, so better safe than sorry!

Have you had any issues adjusting to the synthroid? I was still a little run down, so I am hoping the increased dosage will help. After just a week I notice I'm not asleep at 9pm anymore!

I still have quite a scar- getting better though. I have been using vitamin E cream. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks for the big hugs! Right back at you! I can't imagine what you've gone through- especially with a young child, and then pregnant. and yes, the synthroid is really a small price to pay!

Courtney

[karolyp]

Kristen,

I am so sorry that I am late to this, but I just also wanted to extend my congrats to you and your family. Through all of this, you've managed to stay composed and yet keep a sense of humor - truly you are an inspiration to all of us here.

Congrats again mama.

[fortato]

It took over a year for my endo to get my levels adjusted, and a month after they got them adjusted, I got pregnant and the cycle started over again...

I never had any issues adjusting to the meds. The only time I had issues was when I was taken off the meds completely before my RAI treatment. I became very hypothyroid. It was like having the worst PMS ever, with memory issues. I became very scatterbrained, forgetting little things. I had to stop working for a bit because of the memory thing and being so fatigued that I would fall asleep as soon as I sat down. It was horrible.
After the RAI they put me on both Cytomel and Levoxyl, because the cytomel works instantly and the levoxyl takes about a week to build up in your system. So... I became Hyperthyroid.Which was awesome... if only for a week. I lost weight, had tons of energy, stayed warm...it was sweet. That is definitely the way to go. I could deal with the sweating... it was February.

Keep your hopes up about TTC- I was on 175mcg of Levoxyl, and had no problem conceiving... I'm sure you will do fine!!!

Keep in touch- I'm so glad you are ok!!
Kristen