A few weeks ago, I found out I have thyroid cancer. My doctor says I have papillary cancer, and recommended a total thyroidectomy (a procedure where the entire thyroid is removed.)
My surgery is set for June 12th, around noon- as it stands now. Before the surgery I have to have a high resolution ultrasound which, as I understand it, will help my doctor determine exactly where the cancer is in the nodule. I also have to have some blood work done, and a pre-surgery appointment a few days before to discuss the surgery with my surgeon.
I have been looking into more information on a thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy which is a medical term for only having half of my thyroid removed. It seems though this is only preferred when the nodule is under 1.5 cm. and mine is 1.7 cm. Still, I have read that the thyroid can function with only 10% remaining, and the idea of not being on medication for the rest of my life, is appealing.
On the other hand, the cancer has a higher chance of recurrences in my situation if any part of my thyroid remains. Plus, I would always have to have it monitored which means more biopsies, which I am not fond of. The other factor in this decision is the emotional aspect- will I always be wondering if cancer is growing again in my thyroid? Will it always be there in the back of my mind? What if I am clear after a biopsy, and then it comes back six months later, and it is worse than before? I am thankful and consider myself lucky this was caught early. It was basically four months from when my doctor first felt the lump at my annual exam, to my diagnosis. What if I choose to only have half of my thyroid removed and I am not so lucky a second time?
So I have been debating these options. I plan to do some more reading and research. I want to make sure I understand what is happening, and any other options that are available as treatment. I am not questioning the expertise of my surgeon/doctor- his own wife had the exact cancer I have two years ago, so I am perfectly confident in his abilities and diagnosis, but I want to know for myself that I have explored all options, and this really is the best treatment for me before I go “under the knife” so to speak.
My family and friends have been amazing. I have been in touch with a lot of other people who have also been through this, and their stories have reassured me and given me confidence that everything will turn out okay for me. My mom and my sister (my only two family members that don’t live in Colorado) are arranging their schedules so they can be here during and after the surgery. Ryan and Cole’s father, grandparents, and extended family are going to be able to watch the boys extra times during and after the surgery. In short, I am very fortunate to have so much support and help. It is one thing I don’t have to worry about right now.
I am so grateful for all the e-mails and good wishes I have received and wanted to post a quick update, since these are most of the questions I receive in the e-mails. If anyone has chosen to have the partial thyroid removal, I would love to hear your experience if you are willing to share it. You can leave a comment or e-mail me privately. My e-mail is found on the Contact Page.
Thanks again to everyone for all the support and information. Love you all. 🙂
5 replies on “Thyroid Cancer Update”
WOW – good luck and I hope all goes well!
High resolution ultrasound is used to find microcarcinomas if they are present.
But despite all ofthat you still have 20 chance that the nodule renoved wil be not cancerous.
Hi,
Just a few observations I have made. Have you noticed that modern medicine says they need your money to find a cure and yet they have not found a cure in 60 years, 0. And autoimmune diseases like Thyroid disease are interesting there are approximately 80 to 100 with another 40 waiting for a name and if you get one you will get another and so on. And medical science cannot explain why we have this autoimmune epidemic. You can trigger one of them just by having an auto accident, taking aspirin or medication or by starting a new exercise routine, even too much stress says latest research. Naturopathic medicine says, “Look for the root, it is in the basics beginning with what is on your fork, what toxins are in your body, what exercise do you do, what stress is in your life, what is your spiritual base”. Scientific arrogance has led us down the wrong path we better stop and take a close look at what is happening. This month 150 new chemicals will be added to the 85,000 which are part of the autoimmune problem. They will be added too industry with no oversight control at all. Autoimmune disease is the worst kind of contradiction; for an Thyroid sufferer you are attacking your body with your immune system, a world upside down. God bless you in your search.
Sincerely
Paul
hey.. i had thyroid cancer about 4 years ago.. and my father had thryoid cancer about 60 years ago.. i had a complete thryoidectomy.. and i have never missed my thryoid.. i would say.. take the whole thing out.. the chances that you would have to go on to medication if they left 10 percent in is pretty high.. and if you leave part of it in.. it makes it really hard to test for reaccurances..
i used to have issues about taking medicine daily.. but now i dont even think about it.. i consider it my daily viatiamin. 🙂
The worry of a reaccurance is more troubling (for me at least) then taking a daily pill.. good luck.
I was searching the internet and just found your blog. I just had a biopsy Tuesday on my Thyroid which is 3 centimeters and am very scared right now. The mass was discovered during an MRI after a car accident and the doctor treating me for my fractured elbow sent me to my general practicioner who immediately confirmed the size and sent me to a specialist. I had no idea that I had any problems as I have been on a diet and lost 60 lbs and have been extremely healthy this year. Now after the biopsy my neck really hurts. How soon after your biopsy did the doctor contact you with the results?