OK to wait?

[TriciaS]

Hi,

I'm a newly diagnosed papillary thyroid cancer patient.  It has been recommended that I see Dr. Gaz at Mass General for this surgery.  He, however, doesn't have availability until May.  Do you think it's OK to wait that long to get this specific doctor, or do you think I should get another doctor who could see me sooner?

It seems to me that this has been going on for three years.  I had been seeing a dr. who put me on meds to slow the growth of nodules, and I've been telling him I haven't been feeling well.  He just pats me on the head and says see you in a year.  Every year the nodules are growing.  Finally I switched doctors, and the new one asked for a biopsy that came back positive for cancer.

Thanks,
Tricia

[hkwhkw22]

I would try to talk to a dr ASAP.  Have you told the dr that is not available until May (or his staff) what you are facing?  I've found drs can always squeeze you in if you spell it out for them.

Good luck!

[tracy74]

I found out that I had thyroid cancer 6 months ago. I got the call on July 15, 2007.  On July 30th I underwent a TT and center neck dissection because it had spread to my lymph's.  I wouldn't wait! I couldn't wait. I was a MESS.  Durning my surg was when they found that it had spread.  Sometimes you need no be firm.  Insist it!  I know that it's alot to take in and make sense of.  It's been 6 months for me now.  One day at a time.  You need to get this done ASAP.  GOOD LUCK!

[ChitChatNIne]

It is cancer.  I wouldn't wait either.  I had to wait 9 weeks but mine was FNA atypical .. the wait was awful .. worse than recovery .. but you know it is cancer .... when I find out my moles are atypical ... I go back immediately to have them removed to the margin .... and the last one was Melanoma ... top surface only ... I keep asking myself "what if" ... not to scare you but how do we know when that one cell escapes to spread?  

Cheryl (1/07 papillary microcarnomas, melanoma stage I cured .. 6/07)

[TriciaS]

Thank you all for your quick responses.  Today is day three of my knowing, and I'm very tired.  I haven't slept well in days, and I *am* worried, even though I'm telling everyone I'm not.  I guess I have to just face this.  Maybe get mad or something. . .

Anyway, thanks for your help!

Tricia