How long did you have to wait before your surgery?

[TXMomOfFaith]

For those of you who had cancer or were in suspition of cancer, how long did you have to wait to have the surgery after you found out? My doc is booked and it looks like I may have to wait until this fall. I want this thing out yesterday!

[Linda1068]

For me, from the time I saw the surgeon to the day of surgery was 2 months.
It all depends on the outcomes from the tests you took and what the results were.
I had a nodule 2.3cm on left thyroid. I had to have a biopsy done because the Uptake and scan revealed the nodule was cold and my TSH was within range 0.6, but that is on the low end of the range.
Biopsy result- follicular adenoma, but no solid evidence that it was cancerous or not. That was the reason for surgery-to rule out a cancerous nodule.

[Totie]

Due to having graves disease, about 2 weeks.

[pep88]

CT for unrelated issue in July '07.
FNA in August.
Second Surgical opinion in late August
Surgery scheduled "at my request" after my daughter started kindergarten in mid-September '07.
RAI in November '07 after a "normal" Halloween.

**Worry about cancer running rampent throughout my body... EVERYDAY from July - November and even a bit after I had the RAI...
It's normal.
The cancer's probably been there for a very long time and waiting a few days, weeks, even months to have it removed, probably won't make any difference to the cancer.  Just because you know it's there now, it doesn't make it any faster growing than it was previous to your knowledge of it.  As Utah said above, thyca is usually a VERY slow growing cancer.   It can and will mess with your mind, if you let it.  Don't.  You'll be fine.  And you will have many here to help.  Visualize the positive outcome that is just a few months away.  Being cancer free SOON!  Just a speedbump in the road that is your life.  Good luck with your journey.

[nissah46]

From the time I got my cancer diagnosis, until surgery, it was 7 very long weeks, as they could not give me a date.  The problem was a lack of anesthesiologists .It was a very stressful time, and I waited by the phone, unable to do anything.Good luck.
Trish

[helsurf]

i had to wait 8 weeks from being referred to surgeon

[redheadaussie]

FNA in mid April 07 Hemithyroidectomy 4 May 07
FNA in late Nov 07  Total thyroidectomy 14 Dec 07.

So about 3 weeks each time. I could have got in earlier but the surgeon only operates on Fridays and it was already a Thursday when we found out so I had to wait the extra week.
I have private health insurance so is quicker in Australia. On public health care I shudder to think how long it would have taken.

[dscoochie]

Oct 07 found nodule myself and had ultrasound next week
Dec 07 met with endocrinologist and had FNA came back inconclusive
Jan 08 met with surgeon
Apr 08 (yes, three months later!) 1st surgery
Jun 08 second surgery

Health care is Canada is free, but we dont have near the surgeons / specialists that there are in the States and the wait times are crazy!!!

[utahmomma]

The majority of thyroid cancers are very (very) slow growing.  If they thought that it was one of the very rare, fast growing types I'm sure they would have gotten you in for immediate surgery.

Hang on - it will be here soon!

HUGS

[TXMomOfFaith]

I am just scared if they wait too long it will be too late.

[utahmomma]

I met with the surgeon and two weeks later was in for the surgery (the first time).  The second time I just called the surgeon's office (she knew me REAL well since there were 5 more thyroid surgeries in the family during the 12 months between surgeries).  I had my surgery the next week.

It's NOT a good sign when you have your surgeon's office on speed dial.  :-(

[Thypatient]

I got in quickly because there had been a cancellation on the dr's operating room schedule.

I think your timetable is more average, really.

[ChitChatNine]

9 VERY long weeks .. back with more later, C~