Scared and confused

Hey there Michelle, 

Welcome to the forum, though I'm sorry you need to be here. 

So, yes, Google.... Stoppit! It's a wonderful tool EXCEPT when you or someone you know has a medical problem. When used to try and look up medical terms or symptoms, you end up down deep dark rabbit holes one click after the next that give you worst case scenarios.

First off, thyroid nodules are very very common things and are often found in people. The good news is, 90% of them turn out to be benign and absolutely nothing to worry about.

Blood in an FNA sample is really common too, and nothing to be worried about either. There are lots of veins and such in and around the thyroid, and it's very easy, and not dangerous, to nick a few and end up with a bloody sample. It's why if another FNA is required, it's best to wait a few months to allow everything to heal and clear to hopefully get a better sample next time. 

A T3 result after an FNA basically means that the sample taken was fine, but there weren't enough cells to tell if it's cancerous or not. This is because the two most common types of thyroid cancer - papillary and follicular - are diagnosed due to there being too many of that cell in the sample. Both types of cell occur naturally in the thyroid, but the quantity of them is what gives the diagnosis one way or another. So with a T3 result, they usually suggest either waiting and retesting, so doing another FNA - or doing a diagnostic hemi thyroidectomy to get the lump under the microscope to see what's really going on.

So at this point, there's def nothing to be terrified about. And to be honest, even if it does come back as follicular thyroid cancer, which is what the f denotes in the Thy3f, then it's still nothing to be terrified about. Most people these days just need the half with the lump removed, and nothing else. Then the other majority of people, will have the whole thyroid removed and one low dose of RAI and they're fine. One of those two scenarios is what happens for about 98% of people diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which also has a 99% survival rate too.

So honestly, ignore whatever horror stories you've found on Google. You and your husband have got this, whatever it is! 

Just let us know when, and if, his op is, and we'll give you a load of tips on how to make him conformable once he's out. And between now and then, you know where we are if you have ANY questions at all! 

Lass

Xx

Thank you so much for replying. I think I was just so upset when he received the letter as I didn't really understand the terminology but you have explained it so well it really has helped. I've also been able to speak to our GP and she was shocked that we had been cc'd into a letter between doctors that would basically be in her words gobbidly gook to me.she also said she wasn't in the slightest bit worried by anything the letter said, she was very matter of fact so combined with your response has really helped. I'm still a bit crazy when I'm laying awake at night worrying but it helps to have someone who understands.I will update once we've seen the Endicologist on Monday but thank you so much again.x

Heya

Glad it helped you out and that you were able to speak to the GP. 

How did it go with the Endocrinologist? Any further forwards? 

I hope you're both well. 

Lass

Xx

Hi Lass

Thanks for asking but we go tomorrow so as soon as we know anything else I'll let you know as I'm sure I'll be full of questions as I'm in a right state today. Michelle xx

Sorry about that, I must have looked at the wrong date and thought you were there last Monday! Lol. 

Anyways, as per the above, only for today! Hope all has gone well.

Lass

Xx

Hi Lass

We have just got home we saw the doctor who explained they weren't worried about the one on the right but the one on the left is the one they can't be sure about. She offered another FNA but said it may come back inconclusive again and he may still need an operation but it was J's choice. He said he could t see any point it waiting he just wanted it over so she has put him on the list for a hemi. She said it's all very routine and Imperial College/Hammersmith's do these regularly, and that they are 45% cancer 55 % not so you can imagine I'm in a state again as I thought the % was much higher for benign,  J is so blasé about it he's looking forward to 2 weeks off the doctor was more worried about me! 

I know after what you and 2 doctors have told me it's the "good" one to get as its easily curable but I just can't seem to pull myself together 

Thank you for listening 

Michelle x

Heya Michelle, 

Welcome home, takeaway for tea I'd say after your day today? Or at least an indulgent pud of some sort? Glass of something nice? All of the above? Lol

The benign rate before any tests are done is 90 to 95 percent. When it's given a Thy3 rating after an FNA, this drops to 48 to 80 percent benign, depending on who you ask where. Different places have different findings, so it's a bit of a tough one to pin down. That's why with a Thy3, a retest is usually offered, or a diagnostic hemi so they can basically whip it out and have a good old look at it under the microscope.

It's good that your husband seems to be holding it together and is being blasé about it all. But on the other hand, he may feel he has to be if you're getting into a state about things. You'll often find in a couple that if one person is having an issue, regardless of how the other feels, they hold it together for their partner. Just something to keep in mind moving forwards, as he may need his own outlet if the results come back as cancer. It really doesn't matter how strong a person you are, that diagnosis changes something inside of you. And sometimes, you need to talk that through to understand it fully.

When I find myself spiralling, I play the 'Why?' game. So whatever it is you're feeling, sit yourself down by yourself in a quiet spot and ask why are you feeling that. Whatever that answer is, ask why. Whatever that answer is, ask why. And so on. 'Just cause' or anything similar isn't an acceptable answer. You need to find something specific that's causing the feeling or the worry or the stress. Once you've drilled right down and found the answers, you can either deal with them either through knowledge or physically, if there's something that needs actually done to alleviate something. It makes it more logical and untangle that big knotted ball of emotion that's in your head and chest.

Lass

Xx