Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma plus more?

I'd strongly encourage you to see an oncologist right away. That's the person much better equipped to address these issues and to determine if any of your symptoms are related to the papillary carcinoma. Hopefully, they will be able to clarify the other things you are experiencing are not related. If any of them do happen to be related, that's who you want "running the show."

That's how I'm really starting to feel. What I'm stuck on is trying to get a referral, or just call and ask for 2nd opinion "here's my paperwork." I'm sorta like what person do I call? I have a few great hospitals near by, so maybe I can get in touch with them? :/

In my opinion, call an oncologist and tell them you want a second opinion. If you have great hospitals near you, call the one that specializes in cancer treatments. I always thought second opinions should be neutral…. Not a colleague of the person who gave you the first opinion.. When I had my first FNA ( which showed possible
cancer cells.), I wanted to go
for a second opinion and my doctor recommended someone and said she would send the slides to the doctor to read. I could not understand how this was a second opinion…. Reading the same material and saying they agree with their colleague? I chose to go to a cancer hospital and have them evaluate the situation. I did not have to have my whole thyroid removed and was able to wait. 10 years later the nodule was removed with partial thyroidectomy and it did have cancer….. still better than removing entire organ. You can ask your insurance company what you need to do for second opinions but I am pretty sure they are always covered and you just call and tell doctor that that is what you want appt for. Always better to get a second opinion when you have concerns. Good luck!

Call Mayo!! They are a wonderful resource. I wanted a second opinion and just filled out the form they have on their website. They called me back the next day. Even though the Jacksonville, FL location is almost 3 hours from my home, I was more than willing to travel to get their expertise. Unfortunately, they currently don't accept my insurance, but I was thrilled to have the opportunity to speak with a referral coordinator there. She gave me recommendations for 3 other cancer specialty clinics/hospitals within driving distance of my home and told me to just give them each a call. I ended up scheduling an appointment with Moffitt in Tampa, FL. They were able to get me in right away. Incredibly, when the nurse at Moffitt learned I lived 3 hours from that location as well, she suggested I do my initial consultation with the endocrinologist by video!! She said I could always come down for an in-person exam, testing, etc., right after that if it was indicated. The process could not have gone smoother. The physician was amazing and spent lots of time with me. She ended up telling me essentially the same things my endocrinologist had told me, she was just much nicer about it and explained it in a way that made practical sense. I am going to go down there to have them do an ultrasound to be on the safe side, but I plan on continuing to treat with my local endocrinologist now that I have confirmation we seem to be on the right track. As far as medical records go, they coordinate everything related to that on your behalf. You just let them know every medical provider you have seen thus far and any testing or procedures that have been completed and they do the rest. It's the standard procedure. Finally, I was a bit worried about the possibility of offending my current endocrinologist by getting a second opinion, as I didn't want to alienate her if I ended up wanting to continuing seeing her after all. Wasn't a problem in the slightest. She seemed to feel complimented that Moffitt had supported her treatment plan. And if Moffitt had not, I wouldn't have continued seeing my endocrinologist anyway. It was a "win/win" all the way around. Once again, hope this helps. Cathy

Oh my gosh, I love this! I didn't know you could contact Mayo. I'll making that phone call Monday. I have been feeling frustrated because I don't think I'm being put in the correct path. More like, pushed off with the last 3 people I talked to.

Seriously? How I'm the world are you going to get a different answer! What I'm hoping is I get a doctor who takes my concern of my infected axillary nodes seriously, and not like "oh it's fine." Because it's not normal, I feel like I'm going to have push back. And not be another # that is "easy to fix." I'm sure you feel the same!

When I went for a second opinion, the hospital did their own FNA and drew conclusions from it….having a second opinion where they run tests and give you their opinion might help you know the best plan. You certainly don’t want to have unnecessary surgery or treatments! My second opinion did not agree with the urgency to have a full thyroidectomy; they do not always just agree with the first doctor.

Wow that is two very different opinions! I'm sure you felt so relieved after going to the 2nd doctor.

I did! The risks involved with surgery and voice problems were a professional concern; and removing my thyroid to see if the nodule was cancer seemed like a bad plan.

A good oncologist is important.