I am Ingrid, 61 years old, married, a mother of two children, and now also a grandmother. I live in Almere and work as a doctor’s assistant. In general, I felt that my health was quite good. Of course, you notice your body changing as you get older, but I didn’t have any clear symptoms.
Still, I believe it’s important to pause and reflect on my health from time to time. I try to eat healthily, stay active, and take good care of myself. That’s why I undergo a preventive check-up about once every three years. For me, it’s a moment to see if anything has changed and to gain insight into my health. It also gives me a certain peace of mind.
Just checking if everything is still okay
My appointment at Prescan was mainly meant as a routine check. I didn’t have any specific complaints that prompted me to undergo the examination. In hindsight, I do think there may have been small signals, but you don’t immediately associate them with something serious.
During my visit to the clinic in Baarn, I chose the Prescan Pro program, which included MRI scans, extensive blood tests, and cardiological examinations. Throughout the day, you are guided by a medical assistant who explains how the tests will proceed. In between examinations, there is time to wait or have something to eat.
The environment felt calm and pleasant. The clinic has a light, modern appearance and a homely atmosphere, making it feel less like a hospital setting. That helps you feel at ease more quickly.
Still, I noticed that there is always a certain level of tension when undergoing a medical examination.
An abnormality in my thyroid
During the MRI scan, an abnormality was detected in my thyroid. There had already been a small nodule of about one centimeter that had been noticed earlier, but this time it had clearly grown to more than two and a half centimeters. In such cases, the advice is to have it further examined in the hospital, including an ultrasound. In addition, several small cysts were visible in the other half of my thyroid.
The radiologist advised further examination through my general practitioner. Through my GP, I was then referred to the hospital, where a biopsy was performed to examine cells from the nodule.
The results showed features consistent with papillary thyroid cancer. In consultation with the surgeon, it was decided to remove my thyroid completely.
That moment made a strong impression on me. It was early December, with Sinterklaas just around the corner. My grandchildren were there that day as well. I briefly found myself wondering: how many more Sinterklaas celebrations will I get to share with them? At the same time, it also brought a sense of relief that it had been discovered and that there was a treatment plan in place.
Surgery and recovery
A few weeks later, I underwent surgery. It was, of course, a tense moment, but the procedure went well. During the operation, they also examined the lymph nodes in my neck, but no abnormalities were found.
After analysis of the removed tissue, it turned out that no further treatment was necessary.
My body now has to adjust to the absence of the thyroid. Normally, the thyroid produces hormones that are important for various processes in the body. I now receive these hormones through medication, and the right dosage is currently being determined.
Grateful it was discovered
Looking back, I realize that I didn’t really have any clear symptoms. It’s quite possible that it would otherwise have been discovered much later.
For me, this experience confirms how important it can be to pause and reflect on your health from time to time. You often think: I feel fine, so everything must be fine. But sometimes there turns out to be something you’re not aware of at all.
