Hey hon.
Sorry, I've been in meetings all day and just got back home (yes, at 11 p.m.). Because I have a tiny bit more insight into your medical treatment - YES, you are making the right decision to go to Huntsman. The hospital you went to before is too small to deal with anything serious and you need *experience* on this. I'm still scream'n mad that they didn't find the cancer while you were in the OR!!!
I'll repost the cancer staging here (it's awfully confusing, I know) and some information on your cancer(s).
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_thyroid_cancer_staged_43.asp
http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroidca.html
This is what the T N and M means:
- T indicates the size of the main (primary) tumor and whether it has grown into nearby areas.
- N describes the extent of spread to nearby (regional) lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells that are important in fighting infections. Cells from oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancers can travel to lymph nodes in the neck area.
- M indicates whether the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other organs of the body. (The most common site of spread is to the lungs. The next most common sites are the liver and bones.)
The reason your "M" is an "x" is because they can't determine if there is any distant spread until you have the scan.
Stage I is better than Stage II (the higher the Stage, the more the spread)
Because of your age, you are classified as having either "Stage I" (no spread to distant sites) or "Stage II" (spread to distant sites) thyroid cancer. There is no higher staging for those under 45 years old.
Hope this makes sense.
Hey there I totally agree!!! I am going to the top!!! I HAVE TO if I did not have my two lilttle boys that need me I would not be so quick and nutts to go for the gold!!! I HOPE IT IS curabel!
Hi Rodeo - I just chose a different surgeon for my second surgery for a couple of reasons. Primarily, he made me feel like a person and was kind and caring and explained everything. I mean, when you are dealing with cancer - a good bedside manner makes a world of difference. Also, he booked me in quickly taking my hysteria into consideration (the other surgeon was not concerned about waiting at all, not recognizing that my frame of mind was suffering greatly!). Lastly (oh, thats three reasons, sorry) I went witht the new surgeon because he is very experienced in thyroid surgery, doing about 5 a week or so. He is the Chief of Otolarynology (Head and Neck Surgery, ENT).
I know my other surgeon was talented (he DID do a great job - I mean, I am healing very well) but I just "feel" better with this new guy.
Go with your gut. I think your answer will come to you quickly.
I think you made an excellent decision. Cancer is cancer.... so why not go right to the top.
I have a girlfriend who had pap cancer - she had a surgeon here in Racine do her TT - well make a long story short - he never toched any of the cancer that moved into her nodes. It is speculated by her that he "frecked out" during the surgery b/c of how full of cancer she was - so he took the thyroid and sewed her up - she questioned the lumps many times and he said it was scar tissue.
She didn't by that long - and luck she didn't - she went to the Mayo clinic - her brother in law is a surgeon there. He referred her to another surgeon and removed all the cancer she had.
Who knows what she would be like now if she didn't trust her instincts.
Get many opinions - but don't wait to long either.
Best Wishes. R
I wish knew too! Well the new Dr. Might be able to shed some light on the whole UGLY report and ease my mind a bit??
CROSS UR FINGERS!
RQ
OH my.. I wish I knew but I don't .. I think you have to trusty our instincts coupled with the one who has done the most thyroidectomies .. it isn't just the cancer they want out .. you have to avoid complications to vocal cords, etc., too and sounds like they will be digging around.
C~