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Comment by sg47 | Hacker News Reader

Stage 3 thyroid cancer survivor here at a similar age to the author. I totally feel like a fake cancer survivor but it's definitely turned me into a hypochondriac. I had to get a colonoscopy recently due to my GI issues and some of the symptoms were similar to the ones for colon cancer. I've tried to move on after 2 surgeries, RAI, medication adjustment but mentally it's been tough. I have to get tested regularly to make sure there's no recurrence. The stress and anxiety have been extremely tough to deal with for someone who has been mentally tough all their life.

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Fuck, that sucks. I hope you have someone to talk to, because that constant enxiety can wear you down. In my case it was a very good friend, close family had enough on their hands already to cope with.

Same here. TT at 32 last week. Also got a colonoscopy about 5 years ago for (unrelated?) GI issues. What are you looking at for screening going forward?

I'm hoping the median synthroid dose im on ends up working out, but I still have to wait for pathology and RAI.

Edit: if it makes you feel any better all the docs/surgeons ive talked to have expressed that if they had to choose a cancer to get, it'd be thyroid.

Fist bump. In my first year screening, they still found some thyroid tissues in the thyroid bed that hasn't been fully destroyed by RAI. I have an ultrasound and blood work in another 3 months. My synthroid dosage was too high initially as per plan which caused a lot of anxiety, heart racing, GI issues etc. After they lowered it, it's more manageable. RAI is a pain due to the low iodine diet and quarantine but there's no other choice. In my case, it had spread to the lymph nodes so had to get RAI. Hopefully, you don't have to go through it. This is one of the good 'cancers' for sure but it's still life changing in a lot of ways.

I'm really sorry to hear about your situation man, it might help to find someone to talk to and learn how some new methods of coping.

Stay healthy.

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