Thyroid cancer

Aww love I’m going through similar to you right now.  I had a large gotire removed and half my thyroid for wsame reasons and yes I went back for the follow up and I was told I also have cancer and would need surgery again. 
I know exactly how you feel I’m just in shock to be honest it’s made me so depressed I can’t tell you 

That must have been a real shock to you, especially  after all this time of living with the goitre. My story is similar to yours as there was a delay in getting the cancer diagnosis for me too and I was constantly being told by medical professionals that the lump wasn't anything serious. It was then even more of a shock to be diagnosed with cancer of course. 

I hope the nurse is helpful today. I always write down questions before any health appointment or phonecall, maybe that could help you today too? 

I know that there's a way to access some free counselling sessions through Macmillan but I haven't done that myself yet so maybe someone else on here can give you some info on how to do that if you feel that would be useful for you. 

This is a very understanding and supportive community, so I hope you find it useful as you learn about your diagnosis. Take care. 

That’s such a lot to have been through and I’m so sorry to hear how things have worked out.  I’ve been and am still going through thwings  but my advice would be that thank goodness you are having thyroid removed and the Radio Active Iodine which will hunt down any thyroid cells remaining in your body and wipe them out .  This is finally a positive move even though it’s the last thing you need or want.  I think I’ve become very philosophical in my journey along the way that continues to twist and turn.  I never accept anything until ai google myself to death and research doctors specialities to check they are experts in my condition as they all have different specialties .  It sounds like finally you are in the right path so I’m wishing you and your family all the very best.  I hope this happens quickly as waiting is the worse part as our minds work overtime all the time which is exhausting.  MacMillan helplines are wonderful too and have listened in my dark moments when I haven’t wanted to worry family with my mental anxiety.  Someone outside family and friends and they totally get it so give them a try too .  Big hugs to you and your family 

Hello,

I can totally relate to your situation, I went to my GP in February with a chest infection and he felt a lump in my neck and I was referred immediately for an ultrasound which came back indeterminate (U3) and then I had a needle biopsy which was also indeterminate (thy3f) so I had a diagnostic hemi-thyroidectomy in May and then in a June I was told I had follicular thyroid cancer. I had the right side of my thyroid removed in June and was started on 125mg of Levothyroxine. Thankfully the cancer was only in the left side of my thyroid where the tumour was, but scary to think I had a 4.8cm tumour in my neck that I hadn’t noticed. I try not to let my mind wander to what if’s (what if I didn’t get a chest infection, what if the doctor didn’t find the lump) but it’s difficult. 

Following the surgery to remove my thryoid, I was referred to Oncology and I met my oncologist at the end of August to discuss the radioactive iodine treatment. I’m now waiting for a date to get that done which he assured me would be within the next two months. 

I can totally relate to what you’re going through and how scary it feels. I’m 45 with an 11 and 8 year old and I never dreamt at the beginning of the year this would be by pathway. I have a thyroid nurse specialist who I can contact anytime and I’ve also sought help from MacMillan.

Good luck and hope sharing my experience has helped x

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this.

I'm not sure which type of thyroid cancer you have but I have papillary carcinoma. I got diagnosed at 23 years old and I'm now 42. I thought it might reassure you that I have led a full, normal life in that time and still am!! 

I had a total thyroidectomy and 4 doses of Radioactive iodine over many years. For me it has never completely gone in terms of blood results being below 1 so that's why I have had multiple RAI. But apart from routine appointments and these patches of treatment it hasn't really affected me.

I can relate to your feelings. I am over 12 months past 2 ops to remove one side then the other then rai treatment for 4 days ( take plenty of. Books snacks etc because the worst thing is boredom!) I now take 175 mg levothyroxine. I feel tired and dry mouth at night but I am fine. Good luck!  It isn’t a death sentence. 

Hi everyone, 

Thanks so much for all of your responses and supportive comments. Just wanted to give you all a quick update I had my completion surgery on the 27th September. I spoke with the specialist cancer nurse today who said my case is due to be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday and then she will look to book me in with oncology to discuss the iodine radiotherapy. 
Overall I’m feeling positive, just quite tired a lot of the time, but guess that’s to be expected. I now take 150mg of Levothyroxine daily. Im a bit worried about weight gain, but I guess I’ll cross that bridge if/when I get to it.