Helen Todd

My Thyroid Cancer Journey

Fundraising for Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust
£3,080
raised of £1,500 target
by 208 supporters
Celebrating the birthday of Helen Ellis, 8 January 2021
Participants: Helen Ellis

Story

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In March 2020 i went to the doctors about a lump on my neck that a friend noticed whilst at softplay. I was put on a waiting list for an ultrasound scan at Derby Royal hospital.

Then.... along came Covid19.

In October of the same year i finally got my appointment through to have my lump scanned at the hospital. A few weeks later i received a letter from the doctors  to inform me that it was nothing to worry about and no further action was required. Phew. But i wasn't satisfied. I pushed to have the lump removed and felt like a pest and that i was putting unnecessary pressure on the NHS but i didn't want to see the lump on my wedding photographs. In June 2021 i went for an appointment with the surgeon and discussed a hemithyroidectomy (removal of half my thyroid and the lump) he requsted another scan to see if it had grown at all. 

19th August 2021 i married my best friend and soul mate 💙 

In September 2021 i went for the scan.

October Honeymoon. 

In November i went to see the surgeon to follow up after the scan. It had got slightly bigger, still no concerns but it had moved my windpipe and had started to restrict my breathing particularly whilst sleeping. They asked if i was available at short notice for the operation.

The next day they called and asked me if i was available in 2 weeks time. So my operation was scheduled for 17th November 2021.

I was quite anxious about the surgery and the thought of them slitting my throat terrified me.

But everything went to plan, the lump was 7cm x 7cm x 5cm, i recovered well and came home the next day.

On Tuesday 21st December i had my follow up appointment and was told that the lump was cancerous. I had THYROID CANCER.

On 19th January 2022, I'll be back under the knife to have the rest of my thyroid removed and once recovered I'll have Radioactive Iodine Therapy.

Operation will be taking place on Wednesday 12th January, its been brought forward a week. 

All i want is to be healthy to see my amazing boys grow up. I want to make them and my husband proud 💙💙💙 xx

Wednesday January 12th - 11.45am. Operation done. Went really well out of theatre at 3.30pm, but i was longer in recovery this time, as i kept being sick and coughing up blood. I finally got onto the ward around 6pm. I was being sick until about 9pm. So hadn't kept any pain relief down 🙈😭. 

Thursday 13th January. Woke up feeling a lot better but as i was still bleeding out of the drain in my neck i have to stay in. Fingers crossed, I'll be home tomorrow. 

So I had my Radioactive iodine therapy on Tuesday 29th March, was allowed out of hospital on Thursday 31st March but couldn't go anywhere near my children until at least Tuesday 5th April. So my amazing neighbours took me in. On Tuesday 5th April I was told my levels were now 0 so I could go home to my boys and sleep in the same bed as my husband again 😍. Harry wasn't too fussed about seeing me at first but Albie was very excited to see me waiting for him outside school. He grabbed my hand and said "I haven't seen you for ages Mummy" thank goodness it was only 1 week and not the 3 that was suggested.

Ive had my appointment letter through for my follow up 'telephone' appointment in July , so another bloody long wait to find out whether the treatment worked .... Or not 🫣🙈

As I mentioned before, until I get the all clear, I'll keep fundraising for this amazing charity/ support group.

🦋🦋 ON 26TH APRIL 2022 🦋🦋

 I received a call from my consultant, who told me that the treatment was successful and the cancer hasn't spread. What a relief!!! I can finally breath again, relax and enjoy life with my amazing family and friends 💙💙💙🥰🫶🦋🦋

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About the charity

Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust is the first registered charity in the UK dedicated solely to the support of people affected by Thyroid Cancer. We offer information,advice and support from fellow patients. BTCT is a multi award winning charity,its founder was awarded the MBE IN 2014.

Donation summary

Total raised
£3,080.00
+ £517.50 Gift Aid
Online donations
£3,050.00
Offline donations
£30.00

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