Newly Diagnosed

hello, I had a nodule and left lobe of my thyroid removed on July 11th, which was biopsied and was positive for cancer which invaded a lymph node that was also removed.  On July 17th I had the rest of the thyroid removed which also tested for cancer.  This was qjuite a blow to me as I have been a healthy person except for occasional bronchitis and sinus infections.  Lucky for me I had the most wonderful doctor in the world to help me through this shocking news.  I have now stopped my cyntomel and am on a low iodine diet getting ready for the RAI treatment.  My biggest problem is accepting the fact that I am now a cancer patient.  It still has not sunk in and in my mind the cancer word does not even come in to play.  I guess I'm in denial and am having a problem accepting it.  One thing I know for sure is that tomorrow is no longer promised to me and my new outlook is to enjoy each day I awake and not let the little things bother me.  I am going to make sure that I am not as submissive as I have always been and will learn to let people know when they have said something to hurt my feelings or criticize me because I don't do things their way.  This has been one of my biggest faults letting people walk all over me and take advantage of my especially at work and I just accepted what they said and told me to do just to avoid confrontation and would keep things bottled up inside which I'm sure has not helped my new situation.  My wonderful nurse who took care of me when I was released after surgery said that I should laugh more, cry when needed, not to keep it back and politely say no when the need arises.  Happy thoughts are what's needed to get through.  This is my new philosphy.  I love the message boards and everyone who writes in and bless you all.  Ls

Hi!  This is my third time diagnosed with a primary cancer.  The first was when I was 21.  I was diagnosed with melanoma and had a 20 year old cousin who had just passed from melanoma less than a year earlier.  It was a big ordeal then.  I spent 2 weeks in the hospital, had grafting a many lymph nodes removed.  Now in my 50's I was diagnosed with breast cancer about 4 years ago and this past June diagnosed with papillary thryoid cancer but with a more aggressive subtype.  It doesn't really get easier but you become more knowledgeable about this disease.  It does certainly get your attention and gives you a different perspective on things, particulary your priorities in life, what is important and so on.  I have said that happened the first time and certainly diagnosed with BC was a reminder, I didn't need a 3rd but people are amazed on my outlook and how strong I've become.  I've been able to use my experiences to become a more empathetic person and share my knowledge in hopes of helping someone else live through their disease.  Best wishes to you and keep an upper lip.

I was very shocked to find out that I had thyroid cancer (Follicular Carcenoma) back in April of this year.  I had half of my thyroid removed in mid April.  The doctor told me that everything was fine and that he was confident that this was benign.  To everyone's surprise....it was cancer and had spread into the thyroid tissue and they could not tell where else this spread.  No matter what type of cancer you have, it is never an easy thing to face.  I had so many doctors and people tell me that thyroid cancer is the best type of cancer to have.  I will say that yes it has the most successful cure rate but my world was shaken for 5 months of my life.  What got me through the whole process was my faith in God and researching and gathering as much information on thyroid cancer.  I actually got a second and third opinion from different doctors to make sure that I was making a wise decision with my life.  I have found some great resources....

American Cancer Society, Thyca.org, local support groups at hospitals who perform RAI, MD Anderson's website, and of course this message board.

You mentioned that your were on the low iodine diet.  I am not sure how far your are into the process but Thyca.org has a wonderful low iodine cookbook that you can download for free.  That was a life saver.

I am almost 9 weeks into finishing my RAI.  I will say that since I have no real thyroid, I don't have any problem telling people how I feel.  That has been a big adjustment for me because I would just hold everything in.  When I do speak my mind people who know me ask if I have taken my chill pill today!

Best Wishes with the RAI!

I feel so impelled to answer your posting. Keep your chin up, one of your respondents mentioned that thyroid cancer was one of the better cancers to have. She was right. It's slow growing, they call it indolent carcinoma (meaning lazy). In 1986, after needle biopsy showed Follicular Carcinoma. They removed my right lobe and isthmus (the center) and was placed on suppressive thyroid (Synthroid) including semi annual blood tests to monitor the cancer marker. Between 2000 and 2004 I was going to a different primary doctor, I asked about having my annual blood test taken. He said "Oh after 5 years we consider it a cure and you don't need it anymore". Finally in 2004 I began having some of the symptoms of an misbehaving thyroid again. Changed doctors and the new doctor took two blood tests including the marker and said "I think you have recurrence, I'm sending you to the endocrinologist that saw you in 1986". Right away I was scheduled for emergency Radioactive Iodine Treatment (200 millicuries) to kill the remaining lobe and hopefully any cancer metastasis. After a scan was done, the radiologist said he couldn't see the metastasis location. I will have to have a Whole Body PET scan in two months. Long story, but what I want to tell you is that compared to other cancers, it's lazy, it's treatable, and patients who keep up their complete blood tests shouldn't have any trouble if it recurs. It's relative symptom free as carcinomas go. Sure there are down sides to the RAI treatment, I've lost part of my vision and partial hearing loss on my left, also down sides to taking the chemical prepared thyroid (Synthroid or Levoxyl) replacements, but it's better than the down side of loss of life. There isn't a day that goes by without me thinking hey, I can go through this if I have to every 21 years or so. Keep the faith. Good luck. CAgirl.