1. < Thyroid Cancer

Just Diagnosed With Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Posted by mabfp3 @mabfp3, May 5 4:03pm

I have had three benign nodules on my thyroid for six or seven years. In 2021, one had grown and it was biopsied. It was still benign. Two months ago, I had a routine ultrasound for these nodules and two of them had grown, so I had another biopsy in April. I just had a call from the doctor who did the biopsy to tell me that two of the nodules are cancerous. Those two are on one side of my thyroid and there is a tiny one on the other side, which is too small to biopsy. She referred me to a surgeon who she highly recommends and said that he will present some options to me as to whether to have half of the thyroid out or the entire thyroid. After that, I will have to take thyroid medicine for the rest of my life. I have to admit that I was blown away when I received that call! I was told by the biopsy doctor that this is 100% curable, but I am concerned and nervous about the whole situation. I am 74 years old and other than a knee replacement, I am in good health. I would love to hear from others who may have gone through a surgery like this. All input and suggestions are very much appreciated! MaryAnn from Boston.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Thyroid Cancer Support Group.

Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 5 4:20pm

@mabfp3, I can imagine this new diagnosis came as a shock. I've moved your post to the Thyroid Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/
You can click the link and follow the group to be notified of activity in the group. Browse through past topics to learn more.

I'm also tagging fellow members like @lbrockme @roya81 @lilyann @xyzck88 @koh @namwob87 @dsh33782 @lise01 @dnedz, who have been where you are today. In fact, @gram46 started this discussion that may interest you:
- Papillary thyroid cancer total removal or left lobe only? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/papillary-thyroid-cancer-total-removal-or-left-lobe-only/

When will you be meeting with the surgeon?

REPLY
1 reply
Lynne Marie | @lbrockme | May 5 4:50pm

I understand how unsettling this is! How wonderful that your medical teams diligence, and yours,
resulted in an early diagnosis.
I'm glad to hear Your doctor is recommending someone for the next steps, that she seems confident in.
Any cancer diagnosis is startling though. It does kind of shakes things up in your world , right?!
I was diagnosed over 30 years ago.
I had a partial removal on one side and then when the results came back as invasive and aggresive cell type we had to remove all of it about 90 days later.
I then had a RAI treatment, which is a type of radiation treatment.
I have been on medication since the surgeries.
I would suggest starting a written list of questions for your surgeon. That helped me with some of my need to control something in my life at the time.
Consider a second opinion if you are unsure of next steps.
Both surgeries were pretty straight forward fir me, a day or two in hospital, drain in the area of incision, nurse visited at home. Soft foods for a few days, enjoyed frozen yogurt a lot during that time!
The scar is nearly invisible, even after 2 surgeries.
Do you have someone to help you the first few days home?
Prayers for you!

REPLY
1 reply
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | May 5 5:06pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@mabfp3, I can imagine this new diagnosis came as a shock. I've moved your post to..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@mabfp3, I can imagine this new diagnosis came as a shock. I've moved your post to the Thyroid Cancer support group here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/
You can click the link and follow the group to be notified of activity in the group. Browse through past topics to learn more.

I'm also tagging fellow members like @lbrockme @roya81 @lilyann @xyzck88 @koh @namwob87 @dsh33782 @lise01 @dnedz, who have been where you are today. In fact, @gram46 started this discussion that may interest you:
- Papillary thyroid cancer total removal or left lobe only? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/papillary-thyroid-cancer-total-removal-or-left-lobe-only/

When will you be meeting with the surgeon?

Jump to this post

Hi Colleen,
I am scheduled to have a virtual appointment with him on Wed at 4:30. I did ask if they can fit me in for an in person appointment and they will let me know, but he is booked up until the end of May right now. I may have to go with the virtual appointment (which I am not very good at doing!). Thank you for moving my post to the ThyroidCancer support group! I appreciate your kindness. MaryAnn from Boston

REPLY
celia16 | @celia16 | May 5 5:10pm

Sending warm well wishes your way. I haven’t had thyroid cancer, but have hypothyroidism and have taken medication to treat it for over 15 years without a problem.

REPLY
1 reply
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | May 5 5:14pm
In reply to @lbrockme "I understand how unsettling this is! How wonderful that your medical teams diligence, and yours, resulted..." + (show)
@lbrockme

I understand how unsettling this is! How wonderful that your medical teams diligence, and yours,
resulted in an early diagnosis.
I'm glad to hear Your doctor is recommending someone for the next steps, that she seems confident in.
Any cancer diagnosis is startling though. It does kind of shakes things up in your world , right?!
I was diagnosed over 30 years ago.
I had a partial removal on one side and then when the results came back as invasive and aggresive cell type we had to remove all of it about 90 days later.
I then had a RAI treatment, which is a type of radiation treatment.
I have been on medication since the surgeries.
I would suggest starting a written list of questions for your surgeon. That helped me with some of my need to control something in my life at the time.
Consider a second opinion if you are unsure of next steps.
Both surgeries were pretty straight forward fir me, a day or two in hospital, drain in the area of incision, nurse visited at home. Soft foods for a few days, enjoyed frozen yogurt a lot during that time!
The scar is nearly invisible, even after 2 surgeries.
Do you have someone to help you the first few days home?
Prayers for you!

Jump to this post

Thank you *so much*, Lynne Marie! Your post is the first one that I have received and I truly appreciate your experience and insight with this diagnosis! My doctors are with Mass General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. I will do the virtual visit on Wednesday at 4:30 with this surgeon who was recommended to me by the dr who did the biopsy. I would prefer an in person appointment, but if there is nothing available, I will go with the virtual visit. I was told that this will be day surgery, under general anesthesia. Thank you so much for the tip on frozen yogurt!!! I have heard of that pill that they give for radiation and you cannot be near anyone. My husband and I live in the house so maybe he will have to go somewhere else or I will!!! Thank you for the suggestion of starting a written list of questions! I will definitely do that! Thank you so much for your prayers. That is the best gift that someone can give me!

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Don Higgins, Volunteer Mentor | @dsh33782 | May 5 5:22pm

Mary Ann
Hi I also was diagnosed with cancer in thyroid and had it removed. So far my numbers have not required me to go on any medication for it. I hope that may also be true in your case. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Don

REPLY
1 reply
Lynne Marie | @lbrockme | May 5 5:36pm
In reply to @mabfp3 "Thank you *so much*, Lynne Marie! Your post is the first one that I have received..." + (show)
@mabfp3

Thank you *so much*, Lynne Marie! Your post is the first one that I have received and I truly appreciate your experience and insight with this diagnosis! My doctors are with Mass General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. I will do the virtual visit on Wednesday at 4:30 with this surgeon who was recommended to me by the dr who did the biopsy. I would prefer an in person appointment, but if there is nothing available, I will go with the virtual visit. I was told that this will be day surgery, under general anesthesia. Thank you so much for the tip on frozen yogurt!!! I have heard of that pill that they give for radiation and you cannot be near anyone. My husband and I live in the house so maybe he will have to go somewhere else or I will!!! Thank you for the suggestion of starting a written list of questions! I will definitely do that! Thank you so much for your prayers. That is the best gift that someone can give me!

Jump to this post

Hugs! He can stay in home, just not with you in same room. At least after I left hospital that is how it was.

REPLY
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | May 5 9:10pm

Hi Lynne Marie,

Thank you *so much* for that information! I had no clue how that worked! I truly appreciate all of your input and advice to me! Thank you again!

REPLY
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | May 5 9:12pm
In reply to @dsh33782 "Mary Ann Hi I also was diagnosed with cancer in thyroid and had it removed. So..." + (show)
@dsh33782

Mary Ann
Hi I also was diagnosed with cancer in thyroid and had it removed. So far my numbers have not required me to go on any medication for it. I hope that may also be true in your case. I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Don

Jump to this post

Hi Don,
Thanks so much! I may have some questions after I speak with the surgeon on Wednesday. It’s always good to talk to people who have been through it. Thanks for reaching out!

REPLY
mabfp3 | @mabfp3 | May 5 9:13pm
In reply to @celia16 "Sending warm well wishes your way. I haven’t had thyroid cancer, but have hypothyroidism and have..." + (show)
@celia16

Sending warm well wishes your way. I haven’t had thyroid cancer, but have hypothyroidism and have taken medication to treat it for over 15 years without a problem.

Jump to this post

Thanks so much!

REPLY
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