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RAI Treatment

Thyroid Cancer | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (19)

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@rockon79

The only scores I have seen are from the biopsy; the 3,6 tumor on left lobe was a TI RADS3, Bethesda category 111, the 4. tumor on the right was a TI RADS4, Bethesda category V1-papillary cancer. The removed thyroid showed many more tumors, which the toxicology report outlined. All were classified as a 4 or below, with only the known cancerous one (4.) being a 7. No lymph nodes were identified. I'll find out much more accurately when I speak to the surgeon shortly. I already have instructed his staff to send the completed tox report to my oncologist and, hopefully she will reach out to me. I have used the patient portal with both my local and the surgeon's medical facilities-its great for getting test results and keeping track of appointments but a big a pain for the numerous, duplicate, and unnecessary e mail notifications. I have also done zoom conferencing for previous treatments, so I am fairly set with that technology. I am 79. Until 5 years ago I have been extremely healthy and robust with a productive high energy level. Then serious prostate, lumbar and chronic pain issues really clouded my life and required major surgeries. I had highly qualified experts which resulted in a superior physical recovery and results in general (as far as medical quantifiability is concerned)-but it left its mark. I became physically lethargic with no energy, a mental malaise set in and depression followed. I gained weight around my middle even though I ate less (I have been skinny all my life and somewhat athletic, Its just awful!). I laid around for months, accomplishing only the bare minimum which just exacerbated the mindset. I had lost the joy of living. Then my pain team tried a new approach and the improvement was wonderful and dramatic- lessening the pain intensity and giving me a new out look on life-another words "I felt I was back in the game"! Then, as an ancillary discovery from an MRI for a different issue I found out I had thyroid cancer, and here we are! I do have questions, many sparked by what I have read here. The main one right now is; why have they recommended RAI before any other modality (radical-laced with side effects and possible gland damage) instead of first trying thyroid suppression and monitoring with blood tests, ultra sound, etc? What is wrong with "watching and waiting, when its worked so well for others with a similar diagnosis? I was placed on 125 mcg of levothyroxine since surgery and that has not been checked for my individual need even though I have met with the endocrinologist himself (not a staff peon)!. I sense he does not have the experience I need and will question him about this! Now after getting thyroid cancer and being forced to learn about it, I wonder how much of what I described was really caused by the thyroid cancer and not all of the surgeries Well, that's a synopsis of what is going on. Hopefully I answered some questions. I'm sure I've missed some and haven't the answers for others. Any further incite is appreciated.

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Replies to "The only scores I have seen are from the biopsy; the 3,6 tumor on left lobe..."

You have been through a lot! Your question as to whether some of the lethargy, malaise, depression, and weight gain might have been caused by the thyroid issues is a good one, since those issues can be symptoms of hypothyroidism. You sound like you are on track to ask the right questions and get more information. I hope that you can get some expert advice quickly!