Got pathology report today....

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2000
Got pathology report today....
3
Wed, 09-06-2006 - 7:40pm

Hi Ladies, went back to surgeon today- incision site  looked well to her. Pathology report stated that right lobe w/ 4cm nodule was not malignant. The left lobe was a surprise- undetected by US, 4 papillary microcarcinoma cells.  Since the whole thyroid was removed, I thought I would be all set. But surgeon wants me to see a Endo Dr at the Cancer Center at Mass General. Thought since there was 4 of them- that he may want to do a iodine radition treatment.   Since my levels are still low, I was put on 125 mg of Lev., Dr said I have to be on it 6 wks till next blood test, then the appt  w/ Endo Dr is set up for 11/2!!!!   A very long time to see what is what !  urgh!!!


My question is has anyone here had the iodine thingy--  Bea- I think I read that you had something like this.  I really don't understand-- if the whole thyroid has been removed w/ cancer cells within- why would they want to do this??? Is it just a precautionary measure?  I figure- I have gone this far- I am gonna keep on chuggin till this whole thing is recified--hopefully the cells did'nt jump somewhere else !!!  I am gonna drive myself nutso until Novemeber !!!


Thanks for any input- right now I am confused & nervous!!!!

BUNNY


Gramma to Matthew, Cameron &  Catherine

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 09-07-2006 - 2:15pm

Hi bunny,


Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 09-07-2006 - 10:49pm

Hi Bunny,


You're right; Bea had the RAI after her cancer surgery.

 

Calley7

Avatar for daggs170
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 09-08-2006 - 3:27pm

Bunny, I understand exactly how you feel. Isn't it amazing how these tests can be run and no ca detected, and then surgery comes along and they find it, and the pathology report a week later tells the true story. So many girls on the table have it dx'd as "no cancer" and then at the end of the week they find out differently. Yes, I went through the same thing, only my surgeon told me that it was gone and I had to wait 6 months for the second surgery which was a total and then I saw the Endo immediately. I went to the Deaconess and that surgeon was not my first surgeon, and he was a thyroid oncologist specialist surgeon, and he took me by the shoulders and walked me down the hallway and introduced me to the endo that I would be seeing for the rest of my life.

He probably got me right in because 6 months had passed that I still had the ca, it was in the thyroid bed. Anyway, I've had RAI twice, and please don't be nervous or upset about this. Oh yes, easier said than done, but I'm sure your in good hands. The reason for the Radiation is a precautionary measure because when they take your total thyroid out, they can't get every little tiny bit, so the Radiation will go after whatever small pieces of thyroid that are left and destroy them and will also go after any cancer cells that may be left in there. Go for it! It's precautionary and it will set you on the road to recovery. Also, I had RAI a year later again, a larger dose so something must have showed even at that time. You will be on thymeds the rest of your life, and the first year I was on thymeds, and didn't understand fully what was going on. But those thymeds will also act as a "suppression therapy" for you and IF there are a few ca cells in there, the meds will keep them in check. So don't forget, not even for one day, those thymeds. I feel that's why they are putting you on them for 6 weeks, plus hopefully it will help you to feel better during that time also, and then they will take you off and get you set for the RAI. Don't despair.

Also, we all have to realize that the surgeon may feel he got all the ca out, but sometimes ca can't be seen with the naked eye, and the RAI is a great backup for this type of surgery. Papillary is the best thyca to have--not that anybody wants to have cancer, but they will all tell you that if your going to get cancer, thyroid is the best to get and the most treatable. You are starting on a fairly long and complicated journey, but they will walk you through it all the way--you will have blood tests quite often in the beginning--probably every 6 weeks or so as they want to see what they can find and how your meds are working. So, keep the faith, I've been through it, had my doubts many times as back then (10 years ago) it was supposedly so rare and nobody got thyroid cancer and I had nobody to talk to. Boy, did I ever feel alone, rejected, dejected, etc.--but today there are many of us that have this and thank goodness they have come a long way in the treatment. I am happy for you that the whole thyroid is out--kind of hard to explain but at least that part is behind you.

My prayers are coming your way, and we're here to try to help you through this. And if you feel like screaming because this happened to you, then scream. A big problem is that people that haven't gone through this just don't understand all that is involved, and in due time you will look good and your scar will heal and they will wonder what the big deal is. They just don't understand, but we here on the cancer board know what you are going through. Keep us posted, love and hugs, Bea

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