Diagnosed today

Hi d.m 

Sorry to see that no one's been able to pop on yet, so I'm tagging my friend barbaral as she knows a lot about thyroid cancer and should be able to help by sharing her experiences.

Hello
Clearly, I don't know all your circumstances but I can hopefully reassure you that most of the people who get thyroid cancer are much more likely to do well than to not do well.
It's not so good when it spreads to the lymph nodes as the surgery is a bit more complex, but in the 13 years I've been on this site, I can honestly say that it's very likely that you're going to do very well.

I would say you probably have papillary TC and, even with the spread to the lymph nodes - you still have a great prognosis.

Stick around and come and ask us when you have any questions. We know what it's like. 

Please remind yourself that Thyroid Cancer of your type is very treatable and you may well have an almost entirely normal life after surgery and treatment.

Totally understand. I can only share my own experience which has been that hearing that I had cancer shook my world despite being told “it’s a good cancer” and extremely treatable. It also caused enormous pain & fear for my family & friends. Two operations & RAI treatment followed. 20 months later I’m “cancer free” and I’m so grateful but in truth I no longer trust my body and I still feel vulnerable and insecure. My family & friends have moved on which is great and I desperately want to as well but mentally I remain insecure, anxious and vulnerable at this time. Im now getting counselling and my advice is that you do also at any stage if it feels right for you. I personally get it through my local Maggie Centre who have been so helpful. For me, thyroid cancer might be “a good cancer” but right now, everyday when i see my scar & take my Levothyroxine I’m reminded I had cancer. I’m focussed on trying to relax and maybe I’ll never move on but instead learn to live with having heard those words “you have cancer” and count my blessings. Your journey will be unique to you & your family. Be kind to yourself. Big hugs. Xx

Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis @d.m but be reassured that you are in good hands now you have been diagnosed.  I was given a really good book from the MacMillan nurse who was in the room when I was diagnosed and I wonder if you could pop into MacMillans at your hospital, or give them a call and ask them if they have one, as it covers everything that you can expect from diagnosis to post op.  I found it very useful and the one they gave me covered Papillary and Follicular cancer, mine turned out to be Papillary with spread to lymph nodes and my lung.  I didn't feel ill and got over the operation very well considering my age (67) and have had 2 rounds of RAI (radioactive iodine treatment) due to the first round not reaching my lung.  Unfortunately the second round hasn't either so I am still undergoing treatment at the moment (more scans) to see what is going on.  It is difficult to take everything on the day, I was the same, but have learned a lot since, through researching and from the book and other groups that I joined.

Hi Petal66

i agree, the book is very helpful. 
I am sorry to see that you are still having investigations.  Are the doctors blaming the tall cells?  I think they are so rare that the doctors don’t know exactly what to expect. 
I had a scan in June and it showed nothing and my bloods were good so I’m off the hook for now .  Another scan etc in November.
Unfortunately my husband’s cancer has started to progress f so I I have plenty else to worry about.

life is a rollercoaster.
xx 

Sorry to hear your hubby's cancer is progressing @Gold Finch fingers crossed for him, it must be such a worry for you. I hope you continue to be off the hook for a long time, let me know how your scan goes in Nov.  Yes I am still undergoing treatment, had my 2nd round of RAI in July and chased up my follow up appointment with the Oncologist as I hadn't heard anything 8 weeks after.  She rang last Monday and she told me there was no uptake showing on the whole body scan, so it looks as though the RAI isn't working on my lung, however I told her I had been coughing a lot so she said that sounded promising as if it is working, but we don't know.  So she wants me to have another CT scan with contrast dye (that's this Wed) to see what is happening.  I have also been having a lot of headaches and have mentioned this to her before, so she said she wanted me to have an MRI of my head to rule out any spread, turned out that was with a contrast dye too, which I didn't know until I was there.  I had that last Wednesday,  Also told me not to drive, which was disappointing as we have done without a car since just before my diagnosis and finally bought one recently.  So now it will have to sit there until I am told I can drive again.