Watch and wait plus earache

Hey there, I am sorry  to hear you found yourself on this forum.

My situation is similar, I am 42.

I found the lump in October which was quite big. I had earache periodically on the side where the lump is. The biopsy showed it as benign so I relaxed. However a few months on I started to notice that it was growing.  The ear ache has increased and I started to get dull ache in the jaw. They schedule another biopsy which showed thy3a

Sorry, clicked on something and it posted before I finished

it has grown 7mm in the 6 months.

About a month later they removed half of my thyroid, and  I still wait for results, now I almost 6 weeks on. It looks like complicated case, between follicular cancer and non cancer.

They are asking for second opinion and more tests.

My lump was pretty big, at the time of operation 7x5cm. I think the bigger it is, the more pressure it puts on the nerve  hence sensations. You will probably need to have yours removed as well, especially as it changes. Mine was benign 6 months ago - and god knows what now...

What do they suggest? Xx

Hi and welcome.

I had a hurthle cell carcinoma, now resolved (fingers crossed) after a hemithyroidectomy in January 2020 and then completion surgery in May 2020.

I didn't notice my lump (which was 2.5cm when I had my first ultrasound) - it was my dentist who spotted it, and I had no other symptoms. Once cancer was mentioned as a possibility though I became much more aware of every sensation and would often feel like my throat was aching on the side of my neck where the lump was. I'm not sure if it was connected, but my surgeon thought not - I think I was just very, very anxious and noticing - and worrying about - every small thing I felt.

I haven't read about earache being a symptom - I think it's more breathing or swallowing difficulties we could expect to feel, neither of which I had - but maybe chat to your doctor or a Macmillan nuse about this, just to put your mind at rest?

On the matter of having treatment during the current crisis, I had my completion op during lockdown and have to say that I felt pretty safe in hospital - the staff were so, so careful, and COVID patients are of course kept well away from other people.

Hello, how do you feel now after the surgery and hormone replacement? Did it take long to get the dosage right? Do they talk about rai treatment?

I missed the call from hospital today and it looks like they made appointment for me. It starts sinking in and I am freaking out. I don't think I want to hear what they say..

Hi there. Thank you  so much for taking the time out to answer me . It’s certainly a worrying time isn’t it . I’m generally a very calm and positive thinker so most of the time I’m okay and have a strong belief that the medical profession will do what they need to do and sort it out for me! I will know more after my scan in October . I’m sorry that you are feeling anxious and worried .it sounds like you have had an awful lot of waiting to contend with . I hope you are able to get some definitive answers soon xx

Thank you LittleGibbon xx I think you are right! As soon as the dreaded C word is mentioned you notice every little thing!! I also wonder if I’m gritting my teeth without realising it!!!  I’m glad you felt safe in hospital, that’s very reassuring to know . I think inevitably this lump will need to be removed and to be honest I’m not sure that I could do another 6 months of watching and waiting as , despite being a positive thinker generally, I can’t help but look at it and assess it every time I pass a mirror!!! I’m glad you are well and truly on the road to recovery . ️

Thank you:)

They called today confirming  not great news but at least I do not have to wait unknowingly any more.

Hopefully yours is a good one, they say bad ones are rare, so keep positive thinking:) 

Please let us know how you get on xx

I’m sorry to hear your news has not been good. I’m presuming they will operate now and sort this for you once and for all . Keep us informed how you get on.sending strength and best wishes for the rest of your journey x  .