Surgery for Nodule Next Wednesday
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| Thu, 08-16-2007 - 6:10pm |
I posted here last week just after my ultrasound revealed I have a complex cyst. (Title of discussion was "Caught off Guard"... My family doctor referred me to a great ENT Surgeon. My appointment was actually scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) - but Tuesday night I had a total meltdown - too much time on the internet! So my husband called the ENT on Wednesday and they actually fit me into their schedule that day. The Dr. was GREAT - he listened to all my fears, and gave me all of the options available to me. We could take a "wait and watch" approach, we could do a needle biopsy, or we could take it out surgically. He explained all of the risks and benefits associated with each procedure - and I chose to go ahead and have the left lobe removed. Because of it's size and the fact it was a single nodule were some of the factors in my decision, along with the fact that I would never rest until I knew for sure 100% what this is. He said they will biopsy it while I'm on the table and if it is malignant they will go ahead and remove all of my thyroid. I'm so glad he listened to me and we were both on the same page in regard to my health. I asked him how many thyroid surgeries he has performed and he said countless, but if he had to give me a number, around 100 a year. I then asked how many people with nodules came in to him - he told me that I was the fouth one that day!! I have a few friends who are nurses and all have said he is a really good Dr. - So my pre-op appt is tomorrow and my surgery is scheduled for Wednesday of next week. I will keep all informed of the outcome... One thing I've noticed is that many people post and then you never see any other posts - you don't know what happened! So negative or positive I will definitely let everyone know!
I know this is a long post - but just another note to those who have just found out they have a nodule and are scared and searching for answers:
We have good friends, Alicia and Buck, who live next door to us and a little less than 2 years ago Buck was having trouble with his tonsils. When they went in to remove them, they found out he had a rare kind of cancer within his left tonsil. A second surgery revealed it had spread into his salivary glands and had "fingers" reaching up past his left ear. This man has gone through radiation that actually burnt off the tips of his ears, fried his mouth and his throat. He then went through chemo that made him so ill that he wasted away to 136 pounds on his 6 foot frame. But he fought and he made it through - and today, so far, he is cancer free. If this man can go through this then I can go through anything. Last night as we were all talking, he reached out to hug me and tell me that it was going to be o.k. - I can't tell you how much that meant to me to have this man who's been through so much reaching out to comfort me. So now I want to virtually reach out and hug all of those who are scared and give you a big hug... it's going to be o.k. Remember that this cancer (if that's what it is) is highly treatable. Take one day at a time and don't forget to reach out and touch others in your life, it means so much! Positive thoughts and prayers to all,
Janet

Hi Janet,
Thank you for letting us know what is happening in your situation.