my story

2 minute read time.

FormerMember

16 Sep 2010

There I am sitting in on my husbands consultation with an ENT surgeon, minding my own business when life changes forever...

Can I look at your neck, the surgeon asks, who me??? He had noticed a lump in my neck. He did a quick examination and stated it felt as though I had a little nodule on my thyroid, probably nothing but worth checking out.

Nodule?? I gazed in the mirror that night looking at the lump that I had noticed but dismissed as my adams apple ( very foolish as in females they should not be visible) but it sat so perfectly central it just looked like it should be there.

So i was sent for a scan where I was told I would need a biopsy on the lump and one of my glands looked alittle dark. My needle test came back as a 3 - suspicious so i was advised to have the lump removed.

Op number 1 - lump removal, I was very scared but the op went well. I was very uncomfortable for a few days but ok. 3 weeks later I was told it was papilliary thyroid cancer, the lump was nearly 2 cm.

I then had another scan to neck, 2 of my glands were biopsyed and then I had a CT scan. Thankfully there was no sign that it had spread which was a huge relief. I can see the lump in photos going back at least three years so I had been convinced it would be elsewhere, especially as I now seem to have changed into this anxious person who feels that every little ache and pain is a sign of something major.

Op number 2 - thyroid removal. Again I was very scared, not of the op but of what they might find. After a night in hospital I was sent home with my liothyronnine ( thyroid hormone replacement) and told to watch out for pins and needles.

I felt awful, I was very uncomfortable but slept for days. 3 weeks on I am feeling better and the scar on my neck is healing well. I am now waiting to hear if i need radioactive iodine.

Thats a run down of whats happened but how do I explain the emotions? theres been so many. Also for the past few months everything has revolved around this intrusion, this interuption to my life. Everything on hold.

I had never heard of this type of cancer and I do not know anyone who has had it.

Is there anyone out there???????????

FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi mrsp,

I have had it and a few other things beside. If you Look up my profile it will give you a better idea.

Dont lose any sleep over this just yet. If there is anything you want to ask I will be here for you and if I can will try and answer them. The emotions well that will depend on how you handle them. Just dont jump the gun yet.

Take care and be safe Big Hugs Love Sarsfield.xxx
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Me too Mrs P although mine was follicular. What you describe is extremely common, 'everything on hold', yes life carries on but revolves around ops, treatment and appointments. It's nearly 18 months for me and what I can say is that the physical aspects of being treated for thyroid cancer have been relatively easy compared to other cancers but the emotional aspects have not. I left my job as soon as i got the all clear because i hated it. This has caused me extra stress as i have become so picky and unable to tolerate anything particularly difficult.. The outlook for thyroid cancer is very good though and you should focus on that.

Good luck

Kazzy
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Thank you Sarsfield and Kazzy,

It does help to hear from people in the same/similar situation.

My surgeon is quite positive about things and he too has stressed that this is a fairly treatable cancer. I always want to push him to tell me everything but i dont think it helps!. Im afraid i am usually the type of person who is well....a control freak! needs to know everything! but i am realising its sometimes best to let others take control and you can only take in so much at a time!

Thanks for the messages,

take care

vikki
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi Vikki, I know I've replied to one of your posts. Like Kazzy I'm a bit further down the thyroid cancer path. And the news is I think good.Like Kazzy I had a follicular thyroid completely removed, but also a papillary on the other side taken out too(plus a 'defunct' gland & lymph nodes as standard). Have you had radiation iodine yet? I imagine you well might, and I can say it does work as far as blasting any trace thyroid cells. Side effects vary;mine were ok, and I got out in 2 days(I had an excellent nuclear scientist). You have prob gone into various 'to do's'--- but really just drink lots and have some nice boiled sweets(the posh travel ones in the round metal tins my fav, which continue to help with slight saliva gland variations). The low iodine diet pre the RAI treatment you know all about I'm sure. Finally if you like to know as much as poss about thyroid cancers ~ Wikkipedia(don't read too much into Annasplastic though OK?). By the way my memory has crumbled a bit recently, and I hope this is just my work dust(limestone) rather than cancer. All the best Oliver.
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

just had my referral for oncologist so i am one step closer to radioactive iodine, grrr!

I think my surgeon had forgotten me as he had an MDT meeting about me 2 weeks ago and its took him this long to write two lines referring me!. I had to chase his secretary to get that.

Oh well, here we go.......!
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