thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy

On Wednesday I had an ultrasound my surgeon had requested before the surgery to remove my thyroid for cancer. I didn’t know ahead of time why he wanted this ultrasound, but found out it was to determine if the cancer in my thyroid had spread into my lymph nodes.

I was really upset leaving the ultrasound, and scared. I didn’t want to have to think about another issue with my thyroid cancer. I was told I would have the results in a few days.

Yesterday my surgeon, Dr. S., called me and told me the ultrasound showed the cancer had moved to my lymph nodes. He said I have two lymph nodes that are measuring over 3 cm., and anytime they measure over 1.5 cm., it is a major cause of concern.

Dr. S. told me those nodes will have to be removed during my surgery and they will have to examine my other lymph nodes in surgery to determine if any other ones need to be removed as well. He told me the surgery is complex and will be a minimum of 9 hours now. Previously, the surgery time was about 2 hours-just to remove the thyroid. Dr. S. said I will now be in the hospital for 4-5 days, and have a longer recovery time.

I was completely in shock as I was listening to Dr. S. tell me all of this. My heart was racing and I was having trouble breathing. He recommended I make an appointment and he would fill me in on all the details and the process. Dr. S. told me I still had the papillary cancer, and it was still in the very early stages. He said he was glad I had gotten the ultrasound, because now he had the complete picture of what my health situation is, and he knows before hand, the direction the surgery needs to go in.

I hung up, and sat shocked and numb- staring at my wall. I stared to cry and utter a lot of four letter words under my breath. Ryan and Cole were home, and I didn’t want to have them overhear me calling anyone to tell them. I was too upset anyway to talk.

Since then, I have let my family, friends, and Facebook friends know and the support has been overwhelming. My sister and friends have told me this is bad news, but I am not going to die. When it is all said and done, it is a complication, but I am going to be fine.

A day later, I am still in shock somewhat- just trying to absorb the situation. I am going to make that appointment with Dr. S., to get the rest of the facts and ask questions. I don’t believe I will need to have chemotherapy, but will more than likely have to undergo radioactive iodine therapy.

My family is already making plans to get me the help I need after the surgery, and I know I can count on my friends to help too. I am very grateful for all the support and love I have.

So where do I go from here? I am not sure. I am trying to keep a positive attitude and trying not to freak out. I am trying to remember to take deep breaths and keep everything in perspective.

If anyone has been through this, the removal of lymph nodes, please let me know what your experience was. It helps me to hear what others have gone through.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I need all the positive energy that can come my way. 🙂

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. 🙂