Nodule on edge of thyroid

Hi ReuEll and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.

I do understand how difficult it is when you're given a treatment choice. Personally, I've always chosen to do whatever it takes to be as sure as possible that all the cancer has gone but I haven't had thyroid cancer so don't know what the consequences of your choice could mean.

You could always arrange to speak to your consultant again so that you fully understand the implications of the choices they have given you.

It would be great if you could pop something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

There are pros and cons with both approaches, and I find it harsh that doctors expect us to make these kinds of decisions when we generally know so much less than they do.

If you choose RAI, these days it's a much lower dose than in the past but you will almost certainly have to stay away from your children after treatment. Each hospital has their own guidelines on that so I can't say how long it would be. However, yours are very young. 

Do you have a relative who could look after the children or are you able to leave them with their other parent and go somewhere you can be on your own for a while?

If you have the RAI, you can effectively wipe the slate clean by zapping any remaining thyroid cells and that then makes monitoring any future changes via blood tests much more effective. But, of course, you can't have the RAI without the completion thyroidectomy.

I don't believe you need to rush a decision. So please ask to talk it through with the doctors and get their full input. They will know how the local RAI suite impose restrictions and be better able to tell you what your time away from the kids is likely to be.