How did I find this out?

A good friend of mine posed this excellent question. For about 1.5 years my throat has been scratchy…my doctor (primary care) decided it was sinus and gave me antibiotics and decongestants. I insisted on an ENT visit and the ENT IMMEDIATELY felt a 2 cm nodule. Now, 95% of thyroid nodules are benign, but because of its size, they did and ultrasound, then a biopsy, which came back as papillary carcinoma. (See...I am uncommon after all! Only about 20,000 cases of thyroid cancer are diagnosed in the US per year!)

By the way, if you ever have to have a fine needle aspirate (type of biopsy) done, it really is no big deal.

I have to admit, I am sort of put out about the fact that my primary care physician didn't feel the nodule, as it was palpable and she did the whole neck exam in March.

Moral...if you don't agree with your doctor, insist on a visit to a specialist.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions:



1. What is the prognosis? A: If you have to have a cancer, this is one of the best types to get! Depending on what you read, 93 - 99% of people survive this. (I personally believe in the 99% statistic!) Besides, my doctor has been treating this for 16 years and he has never had a patient die from it. I specifically told him that there is NOT a first time for everything!



2. What is the treatment? A: Surgery. On May 15th, I will have my thyroid removed. This means I will need to be on thyroid meds for the rest of my life. I will most likely be in the hospital for a day or two. (My co-worker who had the exact same thing was back to work on day 3.)

Sometime after that, I will have radioactive iodine treatment. I will need to stay away from people for about 3 days, but since only thyroid tissue takes up iodine, any remaining tumor will be detroyed. During this period, I am temporarily changing my name to "Chernobyl."



3. How do you feel? A: I love this question! This "Thing" (the name I've given the tumor) didn't pop up overnight. It has probably been there for years, so I physically feel exactly the same as I have for all that time. Now that I know it has taken up residence in my thyroid, I am EVICTING IT. The papers have been served and the THING is leaving on May 15th!!!! Emotionally I have my ups and downs, but as long as I am surrounded in prayer, I'll be fine! (It is probably a better question to ask Mike how he is able to tolerate me--I always knew he was a saint!)



4. What are your rules for us? A: NO PITY PARTIES ALLOWED! Occasionally, I will give myself a brief pity party, but I will let you know if you need to participate! Actually, pissy-parties, where I get really pissed-off at the whole situation are more common. Anyone caught having an unauthorized pity party will get punched in the nose!!! (But, I know a good otolaryngologist if you need to have your nose fixed...)



5. Any more tips? A: Don't behave any differently towards me...I'll let you know if I don't want to talk about it...ask questions! Be forwarned that I will probably bore you with the more mundane details of my "normal" life.