Dot’s Story

Site created on May 25, 2020

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Dot Semmens

Hello Everyone,

Today was my follow up appointment with the endocrinologist and she had ordered a neck ultrasound before the appointment.  The result was no new activity in the neck area or the thyroid bed.  This is really good news because that’s where so many lymph nodes live and they are likely targets for cancer.  So all in all Dr. LaGreca was pleased and so am I.  She will continue to monitor my case every six months so I’ll see her again in February.  All my bloodwork looked good so my medication will stay the same.  Yay!

I’d gotten a little curious a few weeks ago about papillary thyroid cancer metastasized to the bone so of course I turned to the internet just to see what was out there.  The first statistic I came across is that thyroid cancer makes up just one percent of all cancers.  And of that one percent only four percent metastasize to the bone.  I’m pretty rare especially since I’m so old.  It appears mostly in younger people.  OK, I can live with all of that.  The next statistic I came across was general life expectancy was four years after diagnosis. Now I was ready to draw the line.  I’d already lived one of those four years.  So I just put my courage to the test today and asked Dr. LaGreca about life expectancy. Her response was fifty percent in my category general live five to ten years and I immediately decided I was in the other fifty percent.  She seemed encouraging to that way of thinking.  So I’m breathing easier tonight and resolved to stick to the opinions of my expert medical team!  

All joking aside, I feel so blessed for many reasons.  I have fabulous support from so many people.  While I’ve been writing this tonight two people have texted me…..that’s just in the last 15 minutes!  I’ve had several texts earlier in the day along with several phone calls. And my spiritual sister has been in lock step with me most of the day.  Amazing…….just plain amazing.  It brings me back to the topic of support…….are you tired of hearing about it?  Sorry……I still believe I’m as whole today ….physically,mentally, and spiritually….because of the amazing support I’ve received starting with each of you my mighty prayer warriors.  Thank you for all of your caring and love.  Should you ever need some special TLC please just let me know.  I owe you guys big time.

So for now I’ll be taking a break from Caring Bridge.  That’s good news right???  It’s been helpful for me to process my journey through this medium so a huge thanks for being on the journey with me.  
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