Diagnosed with Follicular Papillary Carcinoma

[Beth712]

I went in for surgery on July 9th thinking that I was just having some benign nodules removed only to wake up and be told that both nodules showed Follicular Variant of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and they removed the whole right lobe along with the isthmus. One of them measured 1.5cm and the other 1.3cm. I have two more nodules on my left lobe and have to go back and have another surgery to remove my left side too. This has just floored me. I cannot stop having that, "why me" attitude. I am so scared. The thought of having to go into surgery again does not thrill me in the least. Nor as in anyone, I'm sure. No one around me understands what I am feeling. My husband looks at me with a doomed look on his face. My family won't respond when I bring the subject up. This is unfamiliar territory for all of us.
I wish that I had a support group to talk to. Someone who has been through this already. I agree with whoever wrote about, "not reading to much" on these websites. It will absolutely scare you even more.

I do have a question. The doctor who performed my surgery is an Ear, Nose, and Throat, Specialist, I know he has performed this surgery many times before but I'm wondering if maybe I should be going to a different type of doctor.
The decisions we make today will affect our tomorrow. I would like to trust in my doctor, but one is just never to sure.
What should I do?

I had no idea that so many people out here are going through the same thing. It's scary, isn't it? I have never had a thing wrong with me. I have always been very fortunate in the past. Very healthy. That's probably why I am taking this so hard.

[candy808]

I had Thyca diagnosed in 2005, I had both a TT to removed the follicular growth I had. I was blessed that It did not turn to the one that has no cure for it. I was pretty close. It had grown to where it was wrapped around my windpipe and growing downward. I had an ENT to do my surgery and he was great! I had an issue with my calcium after that and have been Hypocalcemic ever since. I have my good days and bad days, more bad then good and I can totally relate to not having anyone to talk to. I feel that people treat you very different and may make remarks that you don't have real cancer, but that doesn't make you feel any better. It has been 3 years since my surgery and I have had trouble regulating my thyroid. I am now on Cytomel and have been for about 2 months. I take 150mcgs of Synthroid and 5mcgs of Cytomel, I also have to take calcium supplements and Rocaltrol for the rest of my life. I am always depressed it seems and I am also fighting a losing battle within my self. I know that it is hard having to go back and get the other side done, but you have to, because that is a risk you can not take. I was sooooooooooooooo scared when I had mine. I was alone and I also recovered alone. I am married now to my friend that helped me when I was going through those issues, I am blessed to have him by my side and he has helped me a lot. I hope that if you need any more information, please don't hesitate for assistance, that can really make or break you. Take care, God bless

[pep88]

Let me be the first to welcome you to the forum!  It seems so scary at the time (I know from experience!), but I'm here to tell you that you will come through this fine!    I found this site after my surgery too, although I only did it once, fortunately...  It has helped me immeasurably!  In more ways than I can credit.  

The best advice I've gotten so far is to keep records (copies) of EVERYTHING.  Your lab results especially.  You will soon begin on the wonderful journey of "living your life without a thyroid", and trying to find the right dose of thyroid meds.  Something I started doing is to not only keep copies of the tests, but put them into a spread sheet and how I felt on each dosage.  

As far as the doc is concerned, if you feel comfortable with the one who did the first half, stick with him.  I had a nead and neck surgeon do mine and he did a GREAT job.  ENT's do it, some Endo's and as I said, head and neck surgeons.  It's all about who you trust and feel comfortable with.

You have found your "support" group!  We will help you as much as we can.  Thyroid cancer is one of the most curable cancers there is.  Don't fret, we're here!  Ask as many questions as you like and share your fears.  We've all been there in some form or another and can definately give you some support.