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During the summer of 2017 when I was holidaying with younger, fitter friends I started feeling weary. I take thyroxine and thinking that my prescription might need adjusting I visited my G.P. She said as a precaution she would like me to have an X-ray. She phoned me the following evening to say “ something “ was showing, no need to be concerned but she wanted me to have a CT Scan, which I did.
At the follow up appointment to discuss the findings of the scan I was told I had a “ 4.9 x 3.6 cm soft tissue mass within the right anterior mediastinum “. I had no lung nodules nor enlarged lymph nodes. The consultant said most likely a thymic tumour and the recommendation that it be removed promptly. A biopsy was not suggested. I was told that this would be major surgery, not performed locally in Brighton but would be at Guy’s Hospital. Two weeks later I met with the surgeon who told me this was a very rare cancer, surgery would be complex but that hopefully it could be video assisted. Strangely I did not feel worried or emotional about my situation, in fact facing a serious operation when I had no pain or symptoms seemed a bit surreal.
On “ the day “, a Friday, I was told what was going to be done, told the risks, signed the consent form and then was walked down to theatre. The cannula was put in the back of my hand and I remember nothing more until waking in recovery with a nurse either side of me, one asking if I would like a cup of tea. Once on the ward I was given tea and offered lunch.
When I wanted the toilet at the far end of the ward I was encouraged to walk there. My morphine driver was removed the following morning as was my drain tube. I came home on the Sunday and felt really well. I did have shooting nerve twinges for a few weeks which if they weren’t so brief would have been painful. I had my incisions, three plus the larger drain site dressed at the doctors surgery twice a week for two weeks.
About two months after surgery at an appointment with my surgeon I was told that surgery had gone very well, that I had thymic carcinoma, Stage 2a NO, RO with clear margins and no further treatment was required. I now have 6 monthly check ups at Guy’s with alternating CT scans and X Rays. I have been told that this surveillance will be for a total of 10 years.
I have been very fortunate to have been diagnosed as early as I was and to be treated by such knowledgeable and skilled people allowing me to continue with the life I have which I love.
