which medicine???

[jennifertyree]

i may have no place taking up space on this forum - however the man of my dreams (while undergoing treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma, was diagnosed with cancer in his thyroid)....his thyroid was removed 9 days ago and so far he was been prescribed Cytomel....his moods are on the depressive side, his appetite has increased and i am concerned because his physical energy level has drastically decreased.  Although he is in remisssion from Hodgkins (thanks to God and excellent medical care)...I don't know where to turn in regard to the options for what is out there medication wise, should he attempt more or any exercise,etc......any advice would be greatly appreciated

[utahmomma]

No angel - just been through it:  my own cancer, three of my sisters' cancers, the precancer for my daughter and other sister, and my son's suicidal depression when I went through my first recurrence.  It's hell on everyone - patient, family, and friends.  That's why we are here on this forum - if we can help ANYONE from going through the hell we did (usually on our own), it's all worth it.

Give that man of your dreams, and yourself, a huge hug from all of us!!

Best to both of you!

Utah

[jennifertyree]

I'm all over it and yes i can't be strongest all the  time...thanks for your support and direction....I made a list of questions for the doctor...patience is a virtue (although really annoying!)  I will loolk into the websites... thank you so much for being an angel!

[utahmomma]

The research can be the most difficult part - and some of it can be frightening so choose wisely the sites you look into and what you share.  Here's some great info to get you started:

http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroid.html
http://www.thyroid.org/
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/thyroid

Don't wait too long on the depression - it can be amazing how quickly it can come up on you with the thyroid conditions.  The man of your dreams just thought he had overcome lymphoma then got sucker punched with thyroid cancer.  There's a lot more going on with him than his hormone levels but they really don't help anything.  

Is he in counseling?  Check with the cancer center at the hospital and see if there is a support group for **BOTH** of you.  You can't always just be the strong one - you need to both be able to relate to others and have shoulders you can lean on.  You both need be able to find *enjoyment* in life and not just focus on the next test or treatment.

Please check into it.

HUGS to you and the man of your dreams

Utah

[jennifertyree]

thank you for your response - follow up with the surgeon is tomorrow - his diagnosis was papilllary carcinoma - he is recovering well except for the vastly decreased energy level - we will be following up with an endocrinologist - we will be  making an appt. ASAP, as for the depresssion symptoms I will suggest he discuss them at that point...the RAI treatment has not been scheduled as of yet but will be....thank you for your response  - he has to have the cancer , my job is just to schedule, research, etc.....we live in North Carolina but are here on our own really(moved here 1 year ago) - thank you for your support!

[utahmomma]

Do you know what type of thyroid cancer it was or was it metastases of the lymphoma?  If his entire thyroid was removed he needs to be on thyroid replacement therapy but this needs to be discussed with the doctor who may be keeping him off the meds so he can have radioiodine (I-131 or, as we call it here, RAI) treatment.  That is the standard protocol for the most common thyroid cancers (papillary and follicular specifically) and, since he already has a history of cancer, it may be what the doctors are working on.

Depression is a very common component of thyroid issues and many of us are on antidepressants.  The thyroid is not only responsible for the metabolism of the body but also affects all other hormones - including brain chemistry.  He needs to discuss all of this with his doctors.  Is he being treated by his oncologist, and endocrinologist, or someone else?   Bring all of this up with him/her/them.

Tell him not to over exert until he gets a clean bill of health and the okay from his doctor(s).

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04
  recurrence and RAI '06 and probably '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma
sister and daughter with precancer