For those of you who remember, two years ago, I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma. I had surgery on my neck to remove my thyroid along with multiple cancerous lymph nodes. I recovered well, went off to college and thought it was the end of it.
Turns out there is a little thyroid nodule in my neck that is cancerous. They did a biopsy of it last week and it came back as malignant. They also found an enlarged lymph node in the right side of my neck and another in the paraphyrangeal region, which is (as my doctor so eloquently put it) where, if you took the head off a doll, it would be the very top of their neck. Basically it means that they have to make another incision, instead of going through the old scar in order to get this lymph node out.
Needless to say, I'm really scared. Of course, the surgery isn't going to be as bad or as extensive as last time, but that doesn't really make it any better. Also, as an added bonus, I'm supposed to go to Australia 3 weeks after my surgery, so I'd better recover fast. I just hope it all goes okay. I would love your thoughts and prayers though, as I really think that I could use some good juju right now.
Edit to add: My surgery is actually scheduled for Wednesday, May 30th. I have to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days after the surgery, and I don't know if I'm going to have internet, but I'll try to find some way to let you guys know how it went.
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Oh, Evie. I am so sorry that you have to go through another surgery and I'll be praying for a fast and easy recovery.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Oh, my goodness! I'm so sorry you have to go through this but you definitely have my prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Wishing you good luck. You are in my thoughts. Sending good vibes for a smooth surgery and even smoother recovery. Here's to being in Australia in the fall/winter.
Posts: 822 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Thank you all so much for your prayers and good thoughts.
Krynn, the first signs (both times) of thyroid cancer was actually swollen lymph nodes. Last time I had some huge lymph nodes that my doctor found through a routine checkup. They did a CAT scan and found that there was extensive damage and they originally thought it was lymphoma, which is actually much worse than thyroid carcinoma. Then they did a biopsy and found that my thyroid was malignant, which meant surgery. Since my surgery they've been monitoring my thyroid and lymph nodes through ultrasounds. Apparently over the last two years since my first surgery, a small thyroid nodule has grown a bit, as well as some lymph nodes that you can feel in my neck (it's actually pretty cool. It's like there's a marble in my neck). They did another CAT scan and found more enlarged lymph nodes in my neck and also in the paraphyrangeal region, like I said before. Symptoms of hypothyroid or thyroid cancer are often manifested as depression and lethargy. This should have been the first sign, since I've been depressed for a while, but unfortunately, no one thought to check my thyroid levels during that time.
All in all, this is one of the best cancers to have (if there is such a thing), but I'm still really scared. Having surgery is not something that I really want to do again, and I just hope I don't have to do this anymore.
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003
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does your family have a history of thyroid problems? like was it underactive or anything like that?
Posts: 813 | Registered: Nov 1999
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There was actually no history of thyroid problems that I know of, although I have a lot of family on my dad's side who are depressed, and I'm not sure if they've ever actually been checked for hypothyroid.
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003
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Oh man...So sorry you are facing this. We'll pray for a successful treatment and fast recovery.
I obviously don't know the circumstances, but if you aren't feeling up to traveling, you should be able to cancel with a doctor's note and not lose your money for the trip. It'd be a shame not to go, but if you aren't feeling well, travel is not a lot of fun either.
Apparently I came through with flying colors. They got all the gunk out that they needed to and the surgery was a huge success. Of course, now I look like a chipmunk on one side, but I can deal with that. I'm still in a lot of pain and not really able to move around that much, but at least I'm home and in my own bed. That's so much nicer than any hospital bed, let me tell you. I just wanted to thank you all again for your well wishes and I will keep you updated!
Posts: 1789 | Registered: Jul 2003
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That's awesome! I'm glad you're doing better and you sound like you're in great spirits. Way to go. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I didn't see this thread before, but I'm glad to hear you're doing okay. Take care of yourself and here's more thoughts/prayers for a quick recovery. Posts: 8355 | Registered: Apr 2003
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