PTC

Hi Andy,

I am really sorry to hear what you are going through. I was diagnosed with PTC almost 2 years ago and I did a total removal with some lymph nodes. As you say, all went so quickly and indeed one of the toughest things I experienced was to break the bad news to my family - I totally understand you. I felt too that with the bad news needs to come some support but it felt so impossible to do this as I was so lost and sad; so the usual ‘but don’t worry’ was not an option. What I did was to let them know the news little by little, so I always knew something more than they did and I was leaving them some time to digest it. It was a solution while trying to digest the whole thing myself. Having said that, I had a friend that knew everything from the beginning and we were talking every day all this period. I do believe that you need support and you should not isolate yourself, you should not struggle alone. This is bad news for everyone but it’s nothing of your fault.. unfortunately it’s a fact of life. Thyroid cancer has to do with the chacra of communication - this made me think a lot after the turmoil. I don’t know what you know already but this type of cancer doesn’t have chemo neither the ‘usual’ metastasis (metastasis are thyroid cells that metastasise but again the solution is the radio iodine for this - still radiation, yes, but hopefully one off). Maybe you ‘use’ these important facts for you and for them.

I am adding this: do what you can handle right now, considering the circumstances, but don’t be alone.. soneone needs to know and support you.

Pleased talk to us here too and let me know if you have any questions.

I wish you all the best. ‘After winter must come spring’, Lauryn Hill.

Kind regards,

Hi Andy T, sorry you find yourself here but welcome. Don't feel alone, there's many members who have been where you are and will try and answer any questions you may have. I found it invaluable to get honest help from people who have actually been through similar. Only people who have had that cancer diagnosis, really know how it feels.

You can always ring the Macmillan helpline too just to talk to someone. They also provide 6 free counselling sessions if you feel that would help. I was never the person who would even consider that before but I got to the point where I used them as it can be very isolating keeping things to yourself when you don't want to worry those around you. If you have a Maggie's centre near you, they are brill. You can just pop in and talk to someone about your worries. Takes a bit of the load off. I do actually find this forum the best help for me.

I empathise with you not wanting to unburden to your daughter before her wedding, I was diagnosed just before my Mum's 89th birthday so I waited til we'd done that before I told her.

As Lola1 said papillary thyroid cancers usually respond well to treatment. All I can suggest is try to take one step at a time and try not let your mind take over and rush too far ahead. Easier said than done, I should take my own advice some days! You should've been given the contact number for your Clinical nurse specialist, mine is brilliant when I have any questions between appointments. Write any questions you have for the consultant down, it's hard to remember stuff when your brain goes into shock in appointments.

Don't feel that any question is silly, better to ask us than to sit worrying about it.

Hope the thyroidectomy goes well, do stay in touch and let us know how you get on.