Newly diagnosed- nodules

Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community

I can't help with your questions but I do understand how scary it is when you have lots of questions and don't know what to expect.

I typed 'follicular neoplasm' into the search bar at the top of the page and found these previous posts which mention it. You could have a look through them and reply to any of the more recent posters if you think they might be able to help you further.

Do you have a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) assigned to you? If so you could give her a call so that she can talk you through your results and explain what will happen next. If not, why don't you give the nurses on the Macmillan Support Line a call on 0808 808 0000. It's free to call and they're available every day between 8am and 8pm.

Sending a virtual ((hug))

I would bet my house and all its many contents that you DO NOT HAVE anaplastic thyroid cancer. This type simply doesn't happen in people of your age and if was ATC, it could never be described as 'slow growing'. 

The fine needle aspiration is not good with diagnosing all types of thyroid cancer. The second most common (and second most treatable) type is the Follicular Thyroid Cancer and that's one that cannot be diagnosed on a FNA test. They can only confirm it by removing the lump surgically. Some of the most common papillary cancers also don't show up clearly on FNA. 

If you ache, I'd suggest that having a baby six weeks ago is probably tiring you out significantly. Thyroid cancer doesn't cause aches in that way (although having a needle stuck in your thyroid can be painful and cause bruising for a couple of weeks). 

Have the doctors told you what the next steps are going to be? Depending on the size, they will most likely either do a diagnostic hemithyroidectomy (remove half your thyroid surgically), or if it's small, they may go for 'watch and wait'. 

Here's a link to the Macmillan page on anaplastic. I hope it will convince you that you don't have that. www.macmillan.org.uk/.../anaplastic

There's a saying (Occam's razor, I think) "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not giraffes or zebras" - what that means is that it's best to start with the more obvious and common outcomes that fit your age and profile. Try not to jump to the most exotic and unlikely solution until you've ruled out the more typical ones.

Hello, thank you so much for your reply! 

I have actually just got out of surgery  about 4 hours ago for the removal of the left side of my thyriod! PSurgeon said it was successful and wasn't looking "too nasty" so thats very promising!! Find out in a few weeks my results.

They were going to watch and wait but I suffer eith extreme health anxiety so they got me in to save my mental health which I'm so thankful for.

Thanks again 

I'd say you took the right decision. That whole 'watch and wait' routine is tough on even the most resilient people. If your self-awareness is as good as yours appears to be, knowing that you'd suffer more for not knowing, then 'better out than in'.

Hey, I'm 5 days post op today had my staples removed and I'm feeling surprisingly good. Not much pain 

I was just wondering if I could ask you a quick question .. is it normal to have some dizzy spells? Been dizzy the last few days and very very tired!!

I won't say it's 'normal' but I don't think it's wildly abnormal (if you see what I mean). You had quite a dose of anaesthetic and that takes a couple of weeks to flush out of your system and during that time, it's more likely you may feel a bit weird and wobbly and not entirely yourself.
If you are concerned, give the hospital a quick call and ask for advice. 

Sorry me again, so I done my first few sneezes since my operation a week ago, they hurt!! And my neck has been achey ever since, especially in the right side (were my thyriod still is) is this normal?

I get this pulling sensation when I swollow in my neck and down the bottom also with a bit of pain. My GPs are impossible to get hold off.

Hello there. I was the same for the surgery is been 2 months now , I had exactly same pain on my neck and my head every time I had something to eat was hard to swallow, drinking with straw , not sleeping properly at night as well and didn’t know what side to sleep and put my head on the pillow. And I think that is because we was under anaesthetic laying down for hours, this is definitely normal. I remember I was in same situation when it comes to sneezing I just had to close my nose like going under water, I knew would hurt , All this is normal. I find at the moment my voice box is playing up sometimes I got good voice and sometimes I don’t, and I can’t sing properly when I want . Now the pain is not there any more ,is just that the area around the scar is still num and I don’t know if that is normal . I had my first long walk today ever and I was so exhausted, but after while I was fine , just my body not used to  , in general I am well and I am sleeping well   after all the pain after surgery Xx 

So I got an appointment letter through for my surgeon.. to go in on the 3rd of November!

I'm guessing that's for my results.. not sure if that's good news or not because they said they'd ring and only make an appointment if necessary.. so I'm really very anxious and not feeling the slightest bit optimistic.

I didnt think I would be seeing my ENT surgeon post surgery, i thought it would just be my GP as on my discharge notes it says nothing, so it makes me worried!! 

I'll be almost 4 weeks post op on my appointment date. 

I'm scared 

Hi Ali. 

Hopefully this provides you some reassurance but I have only seen my ENT consultant since my operation (not my GP at all).

My surgery was at the end of July, because of an infection I had to see him quite regularly but otherwise it would have just been to have the stitches out and to get my histology report. He also made the referral to oncology for my RAI (which was last week).

I'm seeing them again tomorrow for a check on my vocal cords. It is expected to be an ongoing visiting pattern for checks etc.

I hope you get some clarity at your appointment xx