jackkip

My sister had Thyroid Cancer. A small nodule was detected and after the biopsy, it was decided to have it removed. After the final pathology report, it was determined that she did have cancer. Can't recall the exact name. A few months after surgery, Radio active iodine was done. That was two years ago. She has had several body scan to search for thyroid tissue and so far nothing has been found.

Thyroid issues will run on families. My oldest sister has hashimoto (Sp?) and I had Graves. My oldest daughter has Graves. I am closely watching my other 2 kids.

I had my thyroid surgically removed. The Dr. wanted to do a biopsy, and I thought it would be a waste of time. Let's just get the stupid thing out. (Been dealing with it for quite a few years) Well turned out I was cancer free, but my thyroid was in not good shape. So the Thyroidectomy was the right choice for me.

The Surgery itself was not that bad. One of the risk is injury of the nerve to your vocal chords. The trick is finding a really good surgeon. The surgery took about 2 hours. Not too much pain. My scar is about 2 inches long and is at the base of my neck. Alsmost where a short necklace or choker would lay. Over the years it has faded and you really have to look for it. I have heard that Surgeons do better scars than do ENT. The one hard part of the surgery is you have to moniter your calcium levels. Your parathyroid is near the thyroid and it regulates your calcium. During surgery the parathyroid is bruised and sometimes problems arise. I had to stay 3 days after surgery just to do bloodwork. I felt fine, but they would check my blood every 6-12 hours. I stayed on calcium suppliments for several months.

I know take synthroid each and every day. It took awhile to find the right dose. But once you do, you will be feeling like new.

Please PM if you have any questions. Good Luck and I know you are going to be fine. :-)

mayday

Am so sorry , but love and wishes for your recovery.

Dodee

Hi, Honey. My husband is now going thru this. He will have his right thyroid removed next month. Let's keep everyone in our prayers.

BellaBoo

I have to take Synthroid for the rest of my life. My thyroid was under producing and that will cause a goiter too. Salt with iodine included is one way to prevent a lot of thyroid under producing. The hospital 'killed' my thyroid with radiation. My Dr. told me many women will take the Synthroid for years then decide they don't need it. They very slowly descend into lethargy and death. The metabolism will slow down to being in a coma. That scared me so bad I'll never stop taking it.

donnajean

I am hypothyroid & take Synthroid for last 10 yrs. When I was a kid my father could not have iodized salt. I don't know if that was a factor in my problem now. I'm almost 67.

Perky

I have a friend who has had thyroid cancer and is doing great.

karielt

What stage were you in? Has it spread to the lymph nodes? My wonderful father had thyroid cancer and fought it for 11 years. It went to his lungs and he finely lost his battle. If they catch it early you’re good to go. It was in stage 3 when they caught my fathers. My prayers go out to you.

Honey

There is a very small chance that the vocal chords will be damaged. My voice has lowered considerably, but they say that will correct itself. The scar is about 2 1/2" and is pretty prominent rite now, but they fade with time. One of my DGS says I have a permanent smile under my chin, so it's ok! I had a huge lump (that's why I went in to begin with) and it was beginning to interfere with my swallowing, but all is well now. It wasn't all that uncomfortable after surgery. I had to stay in the hospital over night cause it can affect your calcium levels, so they keep a close eye on those. All in all, I'm glad I had it done. I am one that likes to deal with things head on instead of putting it off. Especially if it is something unpleasant.

Honey

They didn't say what stage it was in, just that we caught it very early. About six months after I have the radiation I will have a pet scan to make sure it hasn't traveled anywhere else, but they said it wasn't in the lymph nodes. It was in the parathyroid, which are under the thyroid, so they took all of that. I guess having it mastisize is the part that worrys me a little, but worrying doesn't change anything and prayer does. I so sorry for the loss of your dear Father. I know DH and my kids are more than a little concerned, but I tell them to just keep praying.

Honey

Actually I will be very glad to start the meds so that I will have more energy. I went through a very bad bout of depression and am thinking that the thyroid meds might help that, too. I have complained about it for years, but no one would listen because the tests always came back fine. But those tests are notorious for being wrong. Now, at least, something is being done. I'm not shy about talking to Doc's, either, so will stay on them until I feel better. Thanks for all of the prayers and good wishes.