newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer

Hi firsttimeholmes,

Welcome. You poor thing, I can't imagine what it is like to be diagnosed in your 20's, I'm in my 40's and it was still an unexpected surprise. When I went to get the news, however, I was prepared because I had only been at the clinic the week before at which point the results from my lobectomy weren't back, then, the following week I was called in to 'discuss the histology'... so I knew it wasn't going to be good news.

I think you must be a positive person since you are already on this site where I know you'll get lots of support. After the diagnosis I would say that it took me a couple of weeks to settle in to my new 'status' and accept that I would be spending a lot of time inside the medical system. Also, I found it a little difficult to work myself up to having the second lot of surgery after just recovering from round one. However, 'time and tide wait for no man' and difficult times pass, so keep positive, find out as much as you can (it's not all bad!) and keep in touch...I'll be thinking of you.

Best wishes, Jenny x.

Hello FTHolmes. Yes that was a bit of a blunder. Sounds like it was a complete shock -no warnings during the partial thyroidectomy?  When I went in for my first joint thyroid clinic with a thyroid goitre- I knew it was going to be bad news, but I'd done some homework on Wikki and so convinced myself it was either Anaplstic or Medulary cancer. I got the 2 hour wait and then a diagnosis for either pap or pap & follicular or Hurtle Cell variant. A second fine needle aspiration found that it was going to be Papillary, and possibly benign. Surgery last March found it to be Pap andFollicular - and that is really the only proof proper - the operation(well in my opinion anyway).  Good luck with it all- I tried to see it as an adventure, although I can appreciate not for everyone. If you need to have RAI (radiation iodine) it's no great hassle, but worth making preps for. Your oncologist and endocrinologist will ge you up to speed on all of this ~ but get all your questions in too, wont you?  Best Wishes -Oliver.

hi both of you and thanks for replying to me - means a lot.

So I did a bit of investigating and discovered I have a macmillan nurse, turns out I have pappilary (sp), so at least I now know its the most common one which makes me feel more ready to beat it.

I will have to have a total thyroidectomy and then ria after chrimbo. RIA is the bit that worries me the most mainly as I have a 3 yr old and from what ive read il have to be careful about contact hugs etc for a while afterwards due to the radiation....

Anyhow, Ive decided to face it positively and have a new mantra 'Keep Calm and Carry On' and am hoping to get a hosp bag made with it on.

Have anothr appt on thurs so will update from then

Alright FTHolmes,  you are right to be a bit worried about your 3  yr old, as various advice will come your way regards contact/distance etc..  Yor Mac nurse will be able to give you some good advice, but the best person to inform you will be the nuclear scientist in charge of your RAI treatment. Your oncologist will give you the details(hospital, Dept&name, phone no). It's well worth trying to get in touch with the n/physicist in advance - who will give you the right info from the off. Good luck on Thurs, best- Oliver.

Hi jenny,

thanks for your reply, ya its a bit scary being diagnosed at my age, mainly as I have a 3 yr old, so trying to deal with it and stay as normal as possible around him is tough.

I have to say tho im not overly scared about it all, its really odd - I seem to have this inbuilt barrier to fear since I had my son, this year hasnt been the best year ever, I had an ectopic nov 09 and since then have had 3 ops inc my partial thyroidectomy, I seem to be able to convince myself that if I can deal with childbirth (which is bloody painful) then I can deal with anything. Sounds silly but i discovered this during a trip to a theme park where all my friends were screaming on the rides and I was wetting myself at how unscary they now were to me having dealt with childbirth LOL.

I wont lie, I did have a big cry and freak out on thurs when they told me - but I have since decided that Im just going to get on with it and try and be cheerful. I have ordered a bespoke hospital bag in the style of my pro pic and asked for it to have 'Keep Calm and Carry On' put on it.

anyhow thanks for responding - its nice to have people to talk to xxxxx

Hello!

I was diagnosed with the same type of thyroid cancer as you in june this year after a lump removal. I had my thyroid removed in august.

I am now under an oncologist, ive been on a high dose of thyroxin for 6 weeks and ive just had a blood test which will determine whether i need RAI.

I, like you, do not like the idea of RAI as i have a 6 yr old, 13 & 15 yr old. I was also concerned about possible side effects. I am apparently borderline as to whether i need it as though lump was just over 1cm it hadnt spread anywhere else.

Anything you would like to know, please contact me i will be happy to help if i can.

Good luck!

Vikki

In a similar situation to you guys myself, 28 yrs old and just recently been diagnosed with pappilary thydoid cancer. Bit of a headfuck but just trying to stay focused and get on with things. Been trying to get myself in the best possible shape as well ready for the op, in the hope that this will help me during the recovery stage. Good luck to you guys. x

Hey Matt

Have you had any surgery on your thyroid bfor or have you been diagnosed from a fine needle/scan?

Shout if you need anything!

Hi Holmes,

None whatsoever, I initially went in the minor injuries clinic with a head injury after a friend kicked me in the head (long story!) and this is were it was spotted. Like yourself trying to stay positive through the whole thing, had a few low moments since I got the news 3 weeks ago but just about got my head around things now. Friends have been awesome too. How are things going for you then?

well i had a lump in my neck so have already had half my thryoid removed and thats how they found it... I have a scar etc... and if its any consolation the op isnt too bad - well the one i just had wasnt too bad anyway... I will give u a fuller picture tommoro but have to go now as its late... chin up - you will be fine! and stick around ive found everyone on here invaluable in helping me to cope!