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Thyroid Cancer!!!?

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Posted 5/23/2008 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, really darn thyroid!

Scan indicated benign findings. Endocrinologist dx'ed Hashimoto's and did the needle biopsy last week, as properly indicated as a standard of care when there is a nodule. Just a precaution.

Doc calls yesterday to say the findings are consistent with papillary carcinoma. That's the good kind, the best kind to get. Great.

Sample is not good, doc said 50-50 chance that the results are accurate so I have to get the left lobe removed, which means an overnight stay in the hospital and a couple weeks to recuperate.

Have a good weekend and don't worry, he said, this is not urgent, get it out in the next few weeks to couple months.

That will be good for a 3-5" scar and if it is cancer, then I can claim to be a two-time cancer survivor. I remember Mel went through this too, bless her heart.

Hmmph.
Posted 5/23/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this.  If it is cancer, would you need chemo or rads?  I've heard rads to that area is brutal.  Man, I hope not!  I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 

My friend has a lump on her thyroid and has been told it's 'probably' not cancer.  She refuses to have it removed.  I have tried to convince her to do it, because why would you take the chance.  She's afraid of something happening to her vocal chords. 

 

Try to have a good holiday weekend!

 

 

Posted 5/24/2008 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I have not read much (yet) but it seems that if you have to have a cancer, this is the one to get. They would treat it with surgery and a radioactive pill, that is it.

Of course, statistically, most nodules are benign. There I go again defying the odds....probably. At least if it is ca, I am in the majority by getting the good one.

Lori
Posted 5/24/2008 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
What is it with doctors that they are taking so long to make a diagnosis? It has been a long time since you first wrote about your thyroid. I'm sorry you have to deal with this but as you say it is a good kind to have if you have to have cancer. So does this mean you no longer have Hashimoto? My youngest, Chris, was dx with Graves Disease and just last week had the radioactive pill to kill her thyroid. I guess it was not too bad. Her dosage was less than for cancer so she didn't have to stay away from people for as long. Take care and let us know what you learn. Hugs, MK
Posted 5/24/2008 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
MK-
This was totally unexpected and not consistent with the u/s or scan. THe Hashimoto's exists, but this may be another complication. Not sure if they would be related or not. It sure is dragging out, you;re right. I started with the u/s back in February. Part of the delay was the 4-5 week wait to get in to see the endocrinologist and then we set the biopsy for 5 weeks out, so there is the delay. I actually was a little excited to have the Hashimoto's dx, just to get a name for a simple problem. Never expected this....but he did say 50-50, so who knows how it'll turn out.

I'll let you all know when I need the PCE to swing by Detroit...

Lori
Posted 5/27/2008 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Is the cancer actually thyroid cancer? If so it is usually the best kind to have. My sil had her thyroid removed back in 1968 and has had no recurrence. Her cancer had extended into her larynx so she does have a nasty scar. But usually the scar is in a crease in your neck and doesn't show. She wears scarves when she feel she needs to cover up and be dressed up, otherwise she just doesn't worry about it.

I am still dragging on with the pain I had in January when I was in the hospital. A month ago my pc gave me Augmentin antibiotic. It had to have done some good because my blood sugar is better again. But the pains are still bothering me. She put me on Neurotonin a week ago or more. That is to help the pain and is a medication that you keep increasing week by week. So far it has not done much. I spend a lot of time resting in bed and reading. I'm seeing the gastro guy again tomorrow. This all seemed to be stirred up when I had my colonoscopy. Maybe he will have some ideas as to what it could be. I hope!

Take care and let us know when to come in pink.

Hugs MK
Posted 5/27/2008 1:38 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lori

Ive been hovering on the site and came across your situation. My best friend had breast cancer and then 3 years later she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Her breast cancer was caught quite early so her treatment was lumpectomy and radiation. With the thyroid they removed it and that was it...no treatment at all. I will say a prayer for you that you will be as lucky.

Sorry I have not been posting more often but I do lurk just to make sure all of my friends are doing good. I have been going thru alot of testing for pain and was diagnosed with arthritis in my back and hip on one side and tendenitis and bursitis in my elbow and shoulder on the other side.

Take care and keep us posted

L&H Bernadette

Posted 5/27/2008 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
MK, the path report that was read to me said that it is consistent with papillary carcinoma, which is the very good kind. Of course, that is all relative...to us BC survivors, thyroid ca is nothing!  However, the endocrinologist said that the report was not reliable as the sample was not good. It was inconclusive, but sounds like it is suspicious enough, that (as we know) removal may be the way to go.

Posted 5/29/2008 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Lori, so sorry you are in this situation again. Hope all goes well for you. I know you are a strong person and will get through this, too. Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs, Lauri (dxed 04/11/1996)
Posted 6/1/2008 12:52 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Lori

I am sorry I didnt respond sooner....I was in S. Carolina visiting my sister and wasnt able to check the board. When will you get the Lobe removed ? Any idea ?  Do you know if you will be getting the radioactive pill along with the surgery ? Please keep us posted so we can have Joyce fuel up the PCE.....!! We want to be there with you !!

Love you lots my friend ! and lots of hugs........

Cathi

   

Posted 6/2/2008 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Man!  I was happydancing and everything!

 

Well, you'll beat it, you always do.  No who do we get to drive the dang plane!!!!!

 

Thoughts are with you.

 

 

Posted 6/12/2008 9:22 PM (GMT 0)

Lori!

It has been a long time since I posted here, but I remember that our breast cancers were very similar.

I too had papillary thyroid cancer. I got it back in 2006 and had it removed along with the radioactive iodine pill.

Unfortunately, less than a year later, I found a recurrence of my 2003 breast cancer.

But, it was much smaller than the first one and confined to the breast. So, I had my right breast removed. I am currently undergoing reconstruction and I get herceptin every 3 weeks. I am doing well!

I will be hoping for good results for you as well!

Sam

Posted 7/4/2008 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this website (and to forums in general) and am searching for answers for my brother. He is fighting an undifferentiated Papillary Thyroid cancer. Basically it has been diagnosed as papillary, but is acting like anaplastic. Aggressive and growing. He has just finished his seventh (and final, thank God) week of radiation and they are starting to talk about putting him on the radioactive iodine pill as the next course of action.

It's encouraging to hear how positive you all are about the chances of survival from papillary cancer. The doctors have been all doom and gloom since we came to them. My brother is 23 years old and has so much life left to live...I'm praying hard and believing that he will come out on top, but sometimes it get's a little overwhelming.

Right now we are doing everything we can homeopathically to make sure he stays as healthy as we can keep him. Before he started radiation, he was given a tracheotomy and a stomach G tube as precautionary measures. We have an omega juicer that we have been using to push fresh juice through the tube and we have also started making our own food (as opposed to the nutren that the doctor ordered). Right now we are looking for alternatives to up his calories though. He has a ton of mucas that has been generated from the radiation, and we are looking for alternatives to help cut the mucas. The food formulas (both nutren and home made) tend towards recipes that seem to create more mucas.

Does anyone have any suggestions to help with this...I am at a loss...

Searching for answers,
Cherrie
Posted 7/8/2008 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cherrie-
I am sorry to hear about your brother's situation. I have read some but not a ton on papillary carcinoma, but I do know it has great survival rates and they say the radioactive iodine is a "magic bullet" for papillary and follicular carcinoma (but does not help anaplastic or medullary). Before I posted here on the HW forum for breast cancer, I was active on the ivillage.com boards. They do have a thyroid board, you may get some support there too.

I do know that Papillary carcinoma is treated with surgery and radioactive iodine, and it does have the ability to recur...but they say it does not impact the prognosis if it comes back locally.

Lori
Posted 7/21/2008 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Lori,
I am so sorry to read you had thyroid cancer. I hope you are on the mend now!
I know a couple of gals who had it post tx and I personally think the radiation we get causes it.
Sending you good thoughts and hopes this finds you with it all behind you.
Hugs,
jessie
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