Since my Rheumatoid Arthritis and my two cancers were diagnosed in the same year, it is logical that  milestones occur the same way.  In one week I had  tests for my two cancers.

On Monday I had a Thyrogen shot in the butt. The medication  acts like TSH, a hormone  that  normally stimulates your thyroid. ( $1400 each without insurance, $135 each with). Tuesday I repeated Monday with another shot.

On Wednesday I went to nuclear med for a radioactive pill.  I am not radioactive. I feel like I am. I am also given two containers of MOM. The tech said it was a mild laxative. One tonight. One Thursday night. it wasn’t mild. I was also instructed to eat lightly.

On Thursday I went to Radiology Associates of NM for a diagnostic mammogram. I do love this place. Friendly people. Coffee. Special cute patient gowns.  I felt that I would be fine, but I had the vivid memories of when I was not. So I still worried. Lucky me!  There was no sign of cancer. A big relief.

Friday I had a body scan at 10 am.  Nothing to eat or drink for four hours.  The scan is done differently than other scanning devices. It is not a closed tube although the scanner is close to your body. There is not the claustrophobic feeling.

They also make changes with the equipment  by taking something off and adding something else. Finally done with this, I am sent to the lab for a critical thyroglobulin test. That done I have an ultrasound of my thyroid.

Finally, test week is done.

There is no thyroid cancer in my body. I am cancer free! It is an amazing feeling. A big relief. I feel like I can go on with my life. That I have a life.

Yes, I do have RA. From the initial thyroid radiation, I do have  salivary gland and dental complications.   I have a degenerating spine due in part to the medications I am on for the RA and the breast cancer. All these things can be managed. So all in all I do see myself as lucky.

During the last few years I have had the pleasure of meeting people who have a life long struggle with cancer. They have amazing perseverance through incredible difficulties. I am fortunate to end my journey with cancer for the time being.