I sort of saw this coming, and - operating under Restricted Speed rules and all - pretty much got my train stopped in time. Either way the track ahead is temporarily blocked for a bit, and it's not COVID-19. Late last year I was at an annual check-up with my primary physician, and she noticed a small bump on my right thyroid. It wasn't bothering me, and my labs were normal but we had it checked out regardless. Three ultrasounds, two biopsies and a genetic marker test later and I'm diagnosed with Stage III thyroid cancer, and a total thyroidectomy scheduled.
I'm now two weeks post-op and the results from pathology just came in. Besides a 6.7 cm malignant mass on the right side several of my lymph nodes were compromised on both the left and right side of my neck. I'm scheduled for radioactive iodine-131 therapy in a couple of weeks, and will be starting a (rather tough) low-iodine diet after this coming weekend. The good news is this type of cancer is highly treatable with this sort of radiation so my prognosis is positive. Still, never, ever ignore a bump that doesn't belong there historically, even if you think maybe I just pulled a muscle or strained something. If it doesn't go away in a couple of weeks see someone.
What has been derailed is the first half of my summer plans while I attend to this temporary health setback, and my active modeling has been largely put on the back burner until I get through the treatments, and on thyroid medicine. Losing a thyroid causes all sorts of issues with your metabolism, energy level and ability to concentrate and focus. As the hormones fade the more days past my surgery I'm told it's going to be a bit of a slog until my radiation is complete and I can go on the synthroid drug. I'll just keep plugging along the best I can in the meantime.
Since I'm largely stuck at home - especially during the week-plus of radiation therapy - I plan on continuing to organize the layout room and get things prepared for modeling again. I still have those light bars to hang and wire into the ceiling, and perhaps paint and seal the Homasote subroadbed should I have enough energy. I still have my day job as a project manager with a fairly intense and rather complex warehouse implementation project to lead. However, I have a good team and a strong co-lead helping me so the goal here is to pace myself better on this one. Keeping the inevitable stress managed is key to restoring (and keeping) my health.
Thank goodness we have a hobby that helps during tough times like these.
