support please - awaiting biopsy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
support please - awaiting biopsy
10
Tue, 12-21-2004 - 9:16pm
Hi - My name is MaryAnn. When I went to my gyno on Nov. 8th he discovered that I had a large lump on my thyroid on the left side. He thought maybe a goiter - sent me for an ultrasound and it showed a LARGE complex cyst on the left 3.6cm and 2 nodules on the left. One is 1.2cm and the other is very small. Also showed 2 small cysts very very small. I was so scared - started reading the internet about thyroid cancer/cysts, etc. and got myself really worked up. I called an endo as he told me to do and had to wait 3 weeks to see him. He was very highly recommended and took my insurance which 2 others did not. By the time I went in to see him, I was a wreck. The gyno had done blood work which was all fine. He told me I had to have a FNA - called the hospital that day and they could not do it for 3 1/2 weeks....the endo really wanted me to go to the hospital to have this one particular radiologist do the test - guided with ultrasound. I had the biopsy Friday - was not pleasant at all - but I think the anticipation was worse than anything. They did 3 biopsies of each and the larger one was mostly solid - which scared me too but he said it meant nothing. The nurse has been doing these for 7 years and she told me the nodules did not look suspicious at all. But, from everything I read, it says you cannot tell cancer from the look of them on ultrasound. The doctor said he has done about 600 this year alone and only a few were cancerous and the women had risk factors. Regardless, I am sooooooooooo scared. I am 46 years young!! and this has really thrown me for a loop. I go on Thursday for my results to the doctor. I am sick with worry - trying to stay positive and I know that thyroid cancer is rare and highly treatable, but I am still afraid. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!! Thanks so very much.
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 12-21-2004 - 11:58pm

Hi Maryann43,


I don't know if it will help but quite a few of us on this board have had biopsies and so we know a little about how you're feeling.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 12-23-2004 - 11:30pm

Hi MaryAnn, did you get your results today - or is next Thursday? I know waiting for results is the hardest part of it all. There's nothing to do but sit and worry and imagine the worst. But ... that doesn't help anything at all so try to relax and rest on the the fact that very few cases are cancerous. Very Few!!!!!! Not 80% or 50% or even 30% but something like 10 or 20% - which is very few. So you are most likely in the majority right now, not the minority.

I know all this stuff is very anxiety producing. Try taking your mind off it by doing things you enjoy. Think about doing something for others, especialy since it's Christmas. That always helps to take your mind off your own troubles. I'll be sure to keep you in my prayers and you let us know as soon as you hear something, ok??? Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
Mon, 12-27-2004 - 10:03am
Hi - I got my results and they were benign. I was so relieved I cannot tell you. Now though I have to make a decision after seeing a thyroid surgeon. The one cyst I have on the left is very very large and is not going away. Its mostly solid - and I have more nodules on the right side. The endo. said I have 2 options - one is to wait 6 months and go thru all this nonsense again or have my entire or partial thyroid removed. Since the cyst is so large, they would more than likely have to take at least 1/2 of my thyroid out and I would need replacement thyroid medications. Then I still have to keep an eye on all the other nodules. He gave me the name of a thyroid surgeon who I will see in Jan. and I will make my decision then. But, anyone who can give me some suggestions, I would really appreciate it. Thanks, MaryAnn
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 9:08pm

Hi MaryAnn,


Just a note quick note on the possibility of surgery...


If you only have one thyroid lobe removed, you might not need thyroid hormone replacement meds.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2004
Mon, 01-03-2005 - 9:58pm
Hi Maryann,
Approximately 25 years ago, the left lobe of my thyroid was removed because of a goiter, which was suspected of being cancerous. It wasn't. I'd gone this long without medication. About two\three years ago, I noticed a lump or swelling down in the front of my throat right under my adam's apple, where the thyroid is. I was given a Radioactive scan, then FNA, and put on meds (to attempt it from growing any further) when they found no cancer. The lump has grown up towards my right ear. I've had an Ultrasound, another Radioactive scan but not a FNA. I saw an Endocrinologist who said he'd support me whether I decided to have it removed or if I wanted to take a wait and see attitude to see if there's anymore swelling. He was not the original doctor who'd seen me and we have a different insurance company even. I opted for the surgery because I already have taken the wait and see attitude and it's gotten bigger. I don't know if they are going to remove all of the remainder of the thyroid. The Endo said no, but I really don't have a lot of confidence in this man. On January 12th, I have an appointment with my GP to choose a surgeon to do the surgery.
I hope you will get good counsel with this.
Carole
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 6:39pm
Hi - thanks for your replies. The way the endo explained things to me is that more than likely because of the size of my cyst (its almost golf ball size), they will more than likely have to remove 1/2 my thyroid. The other half will then have to work very hard to compensate and I have 2 nodules already on the other lobe and 2 tiny cysts. So.....If I choose to keep some of the thyroid (even if they could) I would still have to do the "watch and wait" thing which I am not keen on. Why wait until they do get larger or turn cancerous???? Plus, the endo said that most surgeon's do not like to do 2 surgeries in the same area if its not necessary. I have heard that this surgeon is wonderful and I will reserve making any definite decisions until he looks at my ultrasound films and talks to me. I will seek another opinion if I am not happy with his!! But, from what I know now, I would rather have it all out in one shot since I have problems all throughout my gland and take the Synthroid. MaryAnn
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 6:41pm
Oh and Carole!!! My cyst is growing up towards my ear too - I have such pressure and pain in that ear and gland area. Its gross - I cannot wait to have it removed. Its so big and I just do not want it in my body any more! Let me know what you decide to do too.
MaryAnn
Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 01-04-2005 - 8:43pm

Hi MaryAnn,


I think your approach is right.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Fri, 01-07-2005 - 10:53pm
Hi Mary Ann - when are you going to see the surgeon? I have a friend who had a large part of her thyroid removed years ago and the little part that was left supplied her with enough thyroid hormone for her to never need to take a replacement hormone. It's something to think about ... to avoid having it all removed. But then, you have to do what you feel comfortable with, too. I'll be interested to see what the surgeon says. You must be in so much pain and discomfort!! I hope you're doing ok. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2004
Sat, 01-08-2005 - 10:15am
Cathy - I am seeing the surgeon on the 17th of January. The endo said that because the cyst is so large (its actually about the same size as one lobe of my thyroid) they will more than likely have to remove at least 1/2 of my thyroid. The other side has 2 nodules already and two small cysts. So it is compromised already....and when they remove 1/2, the endo tells me, the other side has to work harder to compensate. So, in my opinion thus far, I feel the entire thing should come out. If I leave 1/2, I still have to go every year for ultrasounds and biopsies again. NO THANKS...then I will still have to worry whether its turning cancerous. But, I will not make any final decisions until I see what the surgeon says. Thanks - MaryAnn