Swollen eye Rachel
Regular Rachel :)
Jenna was born in April of 2009. By the fall of 2009 and to date I have dealt with swollen, itchy, irritated, infected eyes, skin, scalp and hair loss (to almost half of my hair gone now). My eyes have been my primary complaint throughout all of this. As you can see above, I am unable to prevent and/or cover the red, swollen, crustiness and itchiness that has consumed my eyes. I am always being asked, what is wrong and have I been crying. My eyes have become so sensitive - it's actually painful. My greatest complaint is not with my appearance, but with the uncomfortable feelings that have taken over my eyes and my skin. I am always itching, so much so that I make myself bleed. I can now say at this time that consistent itchiness is even worse than pain itself.
I have always been an itchy and allergic type person, so I didn't think much of all of this for quite awhile. Throughout 2010 and into 2011, I have had countless apointments with my primary doctor, allergists, opthamologists, dermatologists and now endocrinologists. I have been given many doses of antibiotics, creams and oral steroids to treat my infected eyes. I have been told that I have allergies. I have changed my cosmetics which did not give me relief. I have been told to change my bedding, and to wash my face once I come in from the pollen filled air in the spring and summer. I have been to allergists who have tested me with patch testing to see if I was allergic to chemicals in everyday products. Days of wearing allergy patches on my back, led to another no answer. The summer of 2011 I went to my primary doctor with the same complaint - swollen infected eyes and this time a swollen lymph node behind my ear. After feeling my neck, my primary doctor told me she suspected I had a problem with my thyroid and that I should get an ultrasound. In September of 2011 I had an ultrasound which did show and suggest that I should have a biopsy of some suspicious nodules on my thyroid. I was told that I should also see an endocrinologist. I did see an endocrinologist in the fall of 2011. As she reviewed my ultrasound scan she said no need for a biopsy I have what is called "Hashimoto Thyroiditis". I remember most her asking me if I had pregnancy/fertility issues. I sat right there in the chair and cried. Here was the answer I was looking for for so many years. Come to find out, like so many others I have an underactive thryoid (Hypothyroid). My doctor told me she would put me on a thyroid medication which I would need to take the rest of my life to increase my thyroid productivity. She said I would be feeling better in a matter of weeks. I did NOT have the common signs of this disease, tiredness, brain fog, weight gain, swollen neck, hard to swallow, pain in my neck, none of this....just the symptons listed above - skin and hair loss issues.
My skin and eye issues continued on with medication changes. I had an ultrasound of my thyroid after asking for it after so many months. My doctor confirmed there was a questionable nodule, but for sure a definate diagnosis of Hashimoto (swollen, bumby thyroid, underactive thyroid). In the spring of 2013 I started using a cream in hopes to help my face and eyes. Well after a month of the worst reaction, I realized the cream was irritating me, but in the meantime had seen my endocrinologist who was worried for me not knowing why my face and eyes were so irritated. She ordered a biopsy to be certain nothing was going on that we were missing. In August of 2013 I had my first thyroid biopsy at my doctor's office. After four needle sticks in my neck, the results came back "indeterminate". There was also not enough material collected for the lab to complete the second test to determine a further diagnosis other than "indeterminate". I was told to come back in a few months for a second biopsy, but not to worry this happens frequently. In December of 2013 ( a few weeks ago) I had my second biopsy with five needle pricks to be certain enough fluid was collected. I found out before Christmas that the first result came back "indeterminate" again. I would have to wait another week or so for the second result. The second result of "50-75% suspicious for cancer was given to me on New Year's Eve. The doctor said she wanted to get me into the office right after the holiday to check my lymph nodes. This brings my story up to date.
I have been diagnosed with Stage 1 Thyroid Cancer and that I will need to have my entire thyroid removed. I have an appointment with a neck surgeon at John's Hopkins Hospital on Thursday 1/23. I hope to know more then.
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