Thyroid Cancer
#21
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. :-)
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. :-)
#22
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: England
Posts: 2,365
Originally Posted by Honey
Has anyone ever had thyroid cancer? I was diagnosed about a month ago and had to have a thyroidectomy. I just wondered if you have ever known it to spread? I'm not really worried about it, just more curious than anything. I have to have some radiation as soon as my tsa levels are where they need to be. They told me that if I have to have cancer, this is the best one to have.
#24
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.
#25
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.
Originally Posted by 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.
#27
Originally Posted by Honey
Has anyone ever had thyroid cancer? I was diagnosed about a month ago and had to have a thyroidectomy. I just wondered if you have ever known it to spread? I'm not really worried about it, just more curious than anything. I have to have some radiation as soon as my tsa levels are where they need to be. They told me that if I have to have cancer, this is the best one to have.
#28
Originally Posted by blahel
i know someone who has an enlarged thyroid and has it checked regularly and it is getting bigger. She is just in the process of seeing specialists to see what needs to be done. She has been told there is a chance of damaging her vocal chords if it has to be removed..should she be worried about that?
It is interfering with her swallowing at the moment and she has to keep clearing her throat. For those of you who have had it removed, is it a big scar?
Is there any other advice you can give?
It is interfering with her swallowing at the moment and she has to keep clearing her throat. For those of you who have had it removed, is it a big scar?
Is there any other advice you can give?
#29
Originally Posted by karielt
Originally Posted by Honey
Has anyone ever had thyroid cancer? I was diagnosed about a month ago and had to have a thyroidectomy. I just wondered if you have ever known it to spread? I'm not really worried about it, just more curious than anything. I have to have some radiation as soon as my tsa levels are where they need to be. They told me that if I have to have cancer, this is the best one to have.
#30
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.
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