I Have Thyroid Cancer

[dscoochie]

I really dont know what else to say.

Cant see the keyboard through the tears anyway.

Thanks for all your prayers.  

Despina

[fanofthefab4]

Also, it was really nice of you to write a supportive message to me and you didn't even tell me that *you* were also going through the same scare! I hope your surgery and treatment goes really well,sorry it turned out this way for you and anyone else with it!

[fanofthefab4]

I just posted in the topic you made from the other day,that your doctor wanted to see you and had the pathology results and that you were afraid it meant you have thyroid cancer,and I posted to you that you were  the first posters who left me a really suportive response in my topic,I  Just Got A Follow Up Ultrasound 9 Months Later, and I wrote in your topic from the other day,that I really hope it turns out you don't have thyroid cancere just like I hope I really don't have it too!

This is why I am so afraid,I see so many posters on here and other thyroid health boards saying they have thyroid nodules,and they are really worried it's cancer,but they know most thyroid nodules are benign and very common,and then their posts a few months later says they too did turn out to have thyroid cancer! But my endo doesn't think it's such a big deal to have thyroid cancer compared to breast,colon and lung cancer! How would he feel if *he* got thyroid cancer,or his mother,daughter,wife or sister?

[dscoochie]

I am feeling pretty much the same this morning - but your support - wow - I could never thank you ALL enough.  What an incredible group we are.

I'm going to apologize in advance for the plethora of questions that I'm going to have over the next little while.  I hope you don’t all get sick of me and my whining.  

Thanks again...I feel privileged to be amongst you...my friends!

Despina

[helsurf]

Despina, i'm really sorry to hear your results (and you had to wait so bloody long to get them!) but you will get throught this, seems hard now but out look is good! have they said when they completion surgery will be? stay stong, wish i lived closer so i could come and give you a real hug! but instead sending lots of virtual hugs and prayers! let me know how you are x x x

Helen x xx

[stella5349]

I am sorry to hear the news but you must know finding out will open a new chapter for you and opening the door for total recovery.

I am still one of the dark ones wondering. SO I must ask - I know many people have thyroid nodules and they don't have any complications. - but with everyone that posted here - did anyone experience symptoms prior to there test? I read above one sister to a member complained about a sore throat and nothing was done until a new doctor got involved.

Recently I started becoming very hoarse towards the afternoon around 2:00. Along with a nagging sore neck all day - everyday. An FNA was attempted back in MArch and the nodule is in a difficult area to get a biospy out to test - so I sit - some say try again - so say wait and see. It's driving me nuts.

Looking back - does anyone remember any symptoms prior to their Dx?

I think you will be fine and your report sounds very optimistic.

Your on the road to recovery - that is a good thing.

[redheadaussie]

Hi there, first of all I can totally sympathise with you. I got my results as Hurthle's Cells and that made my head go into meltdown! I also had numerous other nodules with Follicular cells with changes into Hurthle's cells. Of course my thyroid had to come out.
The thing is though, like your pathology, mine also had no 'escape' from the actual tumour. Had it done so I would probably not be typing to you right now!
  The very GOOD thing is that it has not spread. Remember that. Keep that in mind! Bloody hard I know. NEarly 5 months for me and I still think, ...maybe they missed a bit? But the odds are in your favour.
Freaking scary? YES! You are allowed to be feeling lousy. BUT! It will be dealt with and you will get on with the joy of life.
Cheers!

[pep88]

I am saddened to hear that 1.) You have cancer, 2.) That it took you so long to get the results of the byopsy, & 3.) That you'll have to go back and do what should have been done in the operating room in the first place, have the rest of that thyroid out!  The surgery sucked enough going through it once, but twice?  Uuuugggghhhh!

But I am hear to tell you that your pathology report (except that I got mine while I was laying on the table in surgery... Ok that was a lie.  "I" got it when I woke up...), sounds very similar to mine... TT in Sept '07 for papillary carcinoma with follicular variant.  I had a small nodule which held the cancer, and no signs of "invasion" (that's what they called it on the report..."invasion", like a UFO had "not" landed somewhere else in my neck...)

All I could think of when I heard that diagnosis was "Now I have to check that box on every form I fill out at the doctors office: cancer:_X_",  and, "What will people think when I have to tell them?"  Stupid right?  But I was POSITIVE that I'd be fine.  And you will be too!

But, I'm hear to tell you that getting the meds right after surgery has been the most difficult part of it all for me.  Not the cancer diagnosis, or the surgery, or the RAI...  The waiting... that is part of getting you life "right" again.  Take this med.  Then wait 6 weeks.  Now take this one, and come back in another 6 weeks... The SWAG method of dosing drives me CRAZY...  But I am a SUPER impatient person.  "Make me like I was before, even better, and do it NOW!"  

I tell you this not to make you dread another "phase" of the process, but to show you that it's not really as bleek as the feeling I get from the words in your post.  You will come out on the other side.  And without the many devistating rounds of chemotherapy & radiation that other cancers require.  That is the best part.  Drink a little of glowing  goo", and you will probably be done with it all!  Back on your merry way.  So you get to keep your hair and your boobs!!!  :-) and you will be ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CANCER.  A cancer SURVIVOR!!!  I typed that all in caps so that it'd really yell that out to you.  You will be fine!  *This* is the emotional part of your journey.  Do NOT let it overtake you.  You will win!

:-))  XOXO

[mw1943]

I am so sorry to hear your dx. when the tears come, just let them flow..it is important not to hold the anger ..shock... disbelief inside. You have a very good support system here at this fourm. we all know what you are going through. we love you and are here for you. <<<>>>

[jojo2008]

I am really sorry to hear the news. I know its hard but just remember the stronger you are the easier it will be to get through this. Its time for you to take over and "fight" for your life. Dont let the cancer do the fighting!
Hugs from Michigan.....

[worriedinmd]

Wow, I am really sorry for your diagnosis. At least it is out of your body already. And in the words of a true optimist ...

"Even if this "C" spreads all over my freakin' body, I will fight it with every ounce of love I have for my children - take that, you thyroid piece of $hit!" -- from YOUR OWN profile :))

You can add to that the love of everyone on this board. [[HUG]]

- viv

[amela321]

I'm sorry for your diagnosis.  Your pathology report is very hopeful, though.  The cancer was contained in the thyroid, no lymph node involvement.  You have nearly 100% chance of a complete cure.  

Maybe this will help.  I was initially diagnosed with huge tumor, lots of lymph node involvement and I am still here 22 years later!

Good luck to you!!!

[Tajma]

I am very sorry to hear the bad news. Although it my be very difficult, try your best to think positive. If nothing else it will keep you from going crazy and give you some strength as you fight the cancer.

[utahmomma]

Wow - I'm so sorry.  Your pathology means that there doesn't appear to be any spread outside of the thyroid.  *But* - papillary carcinoma is famous for having microcancers so, yes, you do need to have the other half removed and have RAI.   I'm so sorry you are going through this.  Thank heavens it's simple papillary carcinoma - that is the type that is the most effective to treat and absorbs the RAI the best.  The type that odemt's sister had can't be treated with RAI.

You and I (and so many others here) can at least be assured that there is an effective treatment.  Not a fun one but a treatment none the less.

You are now going to be a member of the *TRIPLE* smile club.  It's a special club just for those of us who have had to have the surgery twice.   :-(

Hang in there.  Take some time for yourself to relax.  This is a life-changing event and it makes you reevaluate things.  When they say "take time to smell the roses" - yeah, cancer makes you realize how important that is.

You have *TONS* of support here.  Many of us who have been through it and can help you - that's what it's all about.   Cry all you want, scream, yell . . . it is all natural and very important.  You have a lot of feelings about this diagnosis that you need to get out.   Yell at us - we kind of like it.  :-)

Hang in there my friend.  We are here for you.

[[[[[[[HUGS]]]]]]]

Utahmomma
triple smile club founder
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma

[odemt]

just read your pathology report
its very good
classic papillary is the best to get
i know that sounds strange but nearly 100% success rate
your tumour wasnt too big , size counts too
also no extrathyroidal extension is really good means it hadnt spread to lynph nodes
you will get through this
the more surgery will be hard
you have to get your head around this and just do it if they say you must
all for your own good long term
and by the time you are having the RAI i will be over mine and have tips on that
i know a girl who works in the hospital i attend and she went thru this 4 years ago she was only 27
the day she got her pathology results she found out she was pregnant and she had to wait 14 months, have her baby etc before her RAI
nothing spread nothing re grew she told me papillary is fixable
you should see her she is flying now and expecting her 2nd child
like you she had to have her remaining thyroid removed (a second surgery)
she said that was hard  
the hospital got her to talk to me to help ease my mind, and she did
you will be fine , you must be pos and look on yourself as lucky to not have a dodgier cancer. i am doing that. i think my big sister is minding me and getting me sorted
good luck luv.big hug from a real Irish Red head xxxxxxxxxxx  

[JennF1023]

I am so sorry.  God BlessYou!!

[AR-10]

I am sorry for the awful news you got today.

As nissah46 says, it sounds like it has not spread beyond the thyroid.

I'm sure you will be in shock over this for a while, and then angry, and depressed. There are MANY memebers here who can help you through the coming months. Lean on them. Let them give you encouragement, hope, guidance, and strength.

Best wishes for you.

[odemt]

hi there
im in the same situation as you, its very very scary. i had a tumour removed a month ago and a full thyroid removal. the results of the dissection were malignant, boy what a shock. papillary cancer and a wierd strain called diffuse sclerosine  which spreads to lymph nodes. like you surgeon said it was contained in tumour and hadnt spread, he said it was 2 mm from spreading.
i buried my sister 28th april last year she was 47 and went to doc with sore throat 3 times was given anti biotics and sent home her husband wasnt happy brought her to another doctor who sent her to hospital. she was diagnosed  with a horrible cancer called anaplastic , which usually does not appear in people under 70. she died in 6 weeks.
so when all this started in my neck i was petrefied, unlike my sister I have 3 young kids  under 10 and all i want is to raise them properly ,my middle daughter has type 1 diabetes and i mind her so well it scares me to think of not being there for her.
my surgeon was happy with my operation and im going for RAI in about 2 months
I think you could be one of the lucky ones  too, although the next while seems daunting and frightening.
Im in Ireland by the way so this hug is long distance xxx
not one person answered me yet, nothing in my inbox tho i could be doing it all wrong
I discovered this site just the other day after a doc rang and said there is a possibility i may need further surgery, the kids were in bed, my husband was working and i started searching for help
good luck to you be brave sweet heartxxxxxxxxxxxx
hugs from Ireland

[jeblondon]

Sending huge hug to you.
It's all going to be ok. You will get your strength, you are just in shock at the moment. Hang in there and keep in touch - we will be here.
J x

[nissah46]

very sorry for your news but you have support here.  Sounds like it was contained and no lymph node involvement. Good luck and stay strong

[dscoochie]

Here is the pathology report:

Papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with:
- histologic subtype - classical papillary
- tumour diameter - 1.8cm
- no extrathyroidal extension
- no lymphvascular space involvement
- surgical margins, negative for malignancy
- perithyroidal lymph node, minute (1) - negative for malignancy
- unremarkable parathyroid gland

Not sure what this means - and it may be because my brain isnt functioning right now.

I do know that the surgeon suggested removal of the remainder (right side) of the thyroid in three months times, followed by RAI.

If anyone could shed some light on what the pathology means (other than the obvious) I'd appreciate it.

[mommy2two2008]

My prayers are with you and your family.  May God wrap you all in his love.

[MKlacza]

Your gonna get through this like you got through the surgery and the LONG wait for these results. we are going to be there every step of the way. Its going to be hard, but in the long run, you will be a stronger person. You're already strong, its just hard to see through this fog your in. When you're ready to talk to us, or scream or whatever you are looking to do.. we are here friend!!

Much much love,
MK

Healing dust coming your way!!! POOF!!!

[CatieC]

I am so very sorry D. Please let everyone here help you through. We are with you and you will have all the support you need. Please stay with us.

[Thypatient]

So sorry you have to hear such news.  As you can see already, support is always here for you.  Stay close.