Thyroid Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Sorry, I gained 70 lbs, not 7, god I wish 7!

I know my surgeon took out my parathyroid also, but he cleaned it up got clear margins and transplanted it back in me at the end of my surgery. it took about 2 months for it to wake back up and attach so that it would work and now it is fully functioning. It would be worth asking if the surgeon knows how and is willing to transplant it back in there. I had my whole thyroid out, I will take medicine for the rest of my life also, and I will say it has been a very hard roller coaster ride of ups and down(seemed like more downs). When I go though my yearly whole body scan I actually have to go old school and go off meds for 6-8 weeks hair loss, weight problems, energy drop (sleep at least10 hrs a day) brain soggy (hard to remember my name) and all the other side effects of no thyroid, because of an allergic reaction to the Thyrogen injections which has prevented me from having radioactive iodine treatment, its a very hard process...but in the end I gladly do it as I am still alive to watch my kids grow, to spend more time with my husband and extended family. If given the chance to do it over, I would do it exactly the same...it's great to be alive!

I did not get a second opinion. I was diagnosed by my pcp and was moving to Milwaukee when I was diagnosed. I ended up going to Froedert medical college. I saw a board certified endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid cancer. I trusted what I was told. My cancer had spread to 9 lymph nodes, so a total thyroidectomy was necessary. My advice is to find a someone who specializes in thyroid cancer. My pcp in MN would have treated me has I not moved and I have no doubt I would not have received the proper care. I moved back to MN and my pcp took over my thyroid care and I went through a year of my TSH being on a roller coaster. I gained 7 lbs, lost a lot of hair, it is not fun. See an endocrinologist for sure. Surgeons don’t always have the best communication skills, so keep that in mind. Definitely find someone who is a pro at this.

I deeply regret not seeking a second opinion. The surgeon I had took out my thyroid and two parathyroids (there was no need for parathyroid removal). Because if that, I am on multiple medications for the rest of my life.

it really depends on if you trust your doctor. I had an ultrasound of my carotid arteries(not even there for thyroid) and my doctor and radiologist saw something they didn't like, my doc called me in immediately and said she wanted me to see a ear nose and throat specialist, and when they did the biopsy the next day, i didn't look further within 3 days I had surgery and was looking at doing radioactive iodine. I really trusted my doctor and the specialist so did not get second opinion. As it turned out in those 3 days it had grown from 3 cm to almost 6cm, so it was fast growing and if I had taken the time to get the second opinion it would have involved more of my lymph nodes.

I got a second opinion on my diagnosis. I had a biopsy done in Des Moines, Iowa and was told it was papillary carcinoma. The surgeon I was seeing said she would only consider removing the entire thyroid. I wanted to confirm the diagnosis was correct and also explore other treatment options. I went to Mayo and had biopsies done and they confirmed my original diagnosis was correct, but they were able to only remove half my thyroid. With only removing half, I have not had to take any meds, so far. The half that is left has been compensating for what they removed. I am thankful I got a second opinion. I don’t think it ever hurts to have someone else give you their opinion. Every doctor has had different experiences, so it’s helpful to get a “second set of eyes”, in my opinion.

Hello. I sought a 2nd opinion because I was no longer feeling well taken care of by my previous provider,where I had originally been diagnosed and treated by them for a year. Within the past 6 months or so, noticed too many times there were communication gaps between them and I lost confidence they were doing everything possible to help me. I'm so very happy and grateful that I'm now being treated at Mayo since early May!

Today a new member (@lorenza1210) posted news that her father was just diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Beyond the shock, she wonders whether they should seek a second opinion before starting treatment.

@nobody @jessea @bobr @nancirae @sophia07 @lindameyerson @sweetgia003 @jlanderson76 @ljcarper @aejohns @trod @dho @rzawie24 @angie7302 and @donnadonut, I was wondering how many of you sought a second opinion. Why or why not?

As I understand it, you should be getting an ultrasound every year after having thyroid cancer, in addition to the regular bloodwork. That’s what I’ve been doing since my May 2017 thyroidectomy due to PTC. Having an endocrinologist familiar with thyroid cancer is key to good follow up care.

I had X-ray treatments when I was 11 at Children’s Memorial Hospital. They didn’t know in those days it was dangerous. I had a growth on my neck which they did surgery on. Then the radiation treatments. When I was in my 20’s they notified me I might get thyroid cancer from it. I always watched it and sure enough I got it when I was 58. I am now 78. I am in good health except for the tumors that I have. I am getting an MRI every year to see if they are growing.