It is thyroid cancer

That SUCKS!! I had papillary carcinoma in my breast and then weird nodules in my thyroid so the remainder of my thyroid had to be removed 2 years ago (they say benign). I, too, am doing fine on Synthroid and I had understand that thyroid cancer is one of the few totally curable cancers out there! It will only grow in a thyroid, but now I`m wondering with the papillary name......

Hugs to you, sweetie!

Darn. I was hoping for the best. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this now. You'll be ok. This will be behind you soon. 

I had papillary carcinoma of the thyroid over 30 years ago and I will never forget what the surgeon said when he made rounds the next day. It was " If God were to tell me that I had to have cancer but I could choose what kind it would be it wouldn't take me 30 seconds to say, make mine a papillary of the thyroid please." I had a total thyroidectomy and I -131 and have been on Synthroid ever since. The fact that I can't remember how long ago that it was is a good thing. With the exception of skin cancers that I don't count I was cancer free until 2 years ago when I got ILC and fortunately I am doing well from that also. Compared to BC thyroid is a piece of cake. Just get someone to show you how to brace the back of your neck with your hand when you go to sit up after surgery. It hurts a lot less that way.

Mom -

Been there, done that.  If you are going to have cancer, papillary carcinoma is the one to ask for.  It is definitely curable but it is a pain in the behind because your thyroid affects EVERYTHING!!!  Mood, periods, hair, nails, skin, eyes, heart rate, energy level, and the list goes on.  The hardest thing for me, post removal of the thyroid, was regulating the medication.  It took two years!  Now....that was 15 years ago, so I trust that docs have gotten much better at it.  I am officially cured of thyroid cancer....but I still go for ultrasounds every year and have bone density scans because of the synthroid (I can't take generic).

Bottom line, at the end of the day, this is a bump in the road.  I know you don't want to hear it and I would be a bit unhappy as well...it's like "What's next?".  I get that.  Compared to what you've already been through, this will be a cake walk.  Really!  My surgeon told me a root canal was worse...and he was right. 

Years ago, they removed the thyroid, no meds for three weeks, then in the hospital for "glow in the dark" treatments (radioactive iodine) for a few days.  You are in the hospital because you are now a biohazard to those around you until the radiation is out of your system.  Once you are out of the hospital, your are prescribed a thyroid hormone.  It can take a while for them to get it right and it is a pain when the meds are off. 

Don't hesitate to PM me if you have specific questions.  Seriously, I would take papillary thyroid cancer again over bc any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Hi

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I agree with what everyone else said that this cancer is one of the most treatable of all cancers but as someone who is waiting to have my second FNA in three months because they are closely watching a nodule that is growing relatively fast just two years from my BC diagnosis I am with you.  Any news of cancer is not what I want to hear.

I do have a question, when they did the first FNA in January the radiologist said I had Hosimotos, very high antibody levels but my TSH and T3 T4 have been normal. They also said that they could not rule out cancer from the biopsy. Which I don't fully understand. Anyway I had a follow up ultrasound and they recommended another FNA.  My question is that mostly this spring I have been incredibly fatigued, depressed and anxious and I was wondering if any of you experienced those thyroid side effects before being diagnosed with cancer?

I don't have my FNA for two more weeks and even though I know even if it is cancer it is very treatable I am very anxious about it.

I send love and support your way and hope you have a speedy recovery.  I stayed with my close friend when she had her thyroid out due to cancer several years ago and it wasn't anything like BC bit it is surgery and a recovery period so take care and heal quickly.

Julieho

momand2kids - so sorry all this is happening all at once. 

I haven't been in your shoes, but the year after my BMX and recon, THREE of my church friends were dx'd with thyroid cancer, had thyroidectomies, and are all healed and doing beautifully now. 

May this be so for you as well, whatever your treatment may be.

As Julie has said, your feelings are totally normal, mom! If you weren't scared, you'd not fight. You wouldn't pursue surgery or listen to your team. That's not the way we are formatted as females (guys ignore symptoms or don't go to a doctor, hoping it will all go away). We need every single detail and you don't have that right now so you are kind of in limbo. Once you get your plan solidly in place you will probably feel more in control. But I would have been surprised if you weren't scared. Hugs to you, sweetie! You are totally normal...in fact, I assumed you were scared!!

mom, sounds like you're doing okay to the "outside" world, but we get it. We know the angst you are going in on the inside. I'm SO glad you are going to accept an earlier surgery date....good for you!!

Hi Momand2kids,

Sorry this took so long.  So my research has shown that papillary thyroid cancer is the most common thyroid cancer there is and that the survival rate post surgery and treatment (radiactive iodine) is really good - like 97 - 98%.

Of course like all cancers they have to stage it after surgery, which means making sure that it has not spread to lymph nodes or other areas.  But, even if it has the survival rate is still quite good for Stage 2 and 3.  Stage 4 is not as good but it is unlikely you have that.  And, there are people who even with Stage 4 do very well with treatment and it is considered cured.

The surgery itself sounds like it is not too tough.  My friend had it and she said she was tired and had a sore throat for about a week but really wasn't bad.

What is also good news is that it appears if we are diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer (I am of course still waiting for my second FNA to determine if they think I have that) - then this does not mean we are now Stage IV breast cancer patients.  This is considered a new cancer and not a reoccurrence.  Which is also good news.

Not sure if this helps but all in all I think you will do okay with the surgery, you will have the treatment and then be put on thyroid meds, which have to be followed closely especially the first year to make sure they have you on the proper dose.

Stay in touch and I will do the same.  My FNA is July 7th.  My nodule has made swallowing pills a bit more difficult lately and I seem to get a hoarse and sore throat on occasion, but not all the time.  I don't know if all this is related to the nodule but hopefully my second FNA in four months time will answer some of those questions.

Take care,

Julieho