It is cancer again...this time it's me...

[Felicia]

You might remember I had surgery on November 6 to remove a "cold" nodule in my thyroid. The frozen section biopsy during surgery showed it was benign and the only removed the right lobe. This was 2 weeks ago and I have been feeling great, incision is healing very well, wonderful all around.

Well, I got the results of the final pathology report today. I went in actually thinking the frozen section results of benign would be repeated again... wrong. The final report reads:

In my opinion this is a circumscribed but not encapsulated follicular pattered nodule which shows nuclear features of papillary carcinoma. The nuclci are faily diffusely distributed. I do no see vascular invasion nor extension beyond the thyroid. In Summary, my diagnosis is: Thyroid, right libe nodule 1.7cm: Follicular variant of papillary carcinoma, confined to thyroid. ICD 9: 193.

What does this all mean? I now know it is cancer and the other lobe should be removed. The doctor said the cancer was in the nodule and it is out. So that means the actual cancer is removed? THen, why removed the half - because it COULD have spread?

I really haven't read or understand all that much about thyroid cancer since I hoped I didn't have it.

I just stinks. I dread doing this surgery again. I want to wait until after the holidays, doctors says OK. Is that wise? I also don't know much about "hypo" but the doc said it "won't be a fun three weeks". I am scared.....again.

I have an appointment with a Dr. Ashok Shaha at Sloan Kettering (NYC) on Wednesday to get a second opinion on the pathology slides and surgery.

How can one family have cancer twice within less than 1 year?!? My mom (breast cancer) is so concerned and, in trying to make light of everything, is going to make up sweatshirts that read "Mother and Daughter - Cancer Survivors".

Thanks for listening.

Felicia

 

[nativetxn]

Oh, sweetie, how frightening for you. I don't know what any of this means, I'm just so sorry you are having to go through this

 

[preshi]

You and your mom and family are in my thoughts! Stay Strong! keep us updated and if there is anything we can do.... let us know.

{{{{hugs}}}}

 

[Luv2Roam]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

[helenabear]

Felicia I am so so sorry to hear this. I wish I could shed some light onto some of what was told you but I would be just as confused as you are. I am just sorry you are having to deal with this on top of everything else you have been dealing with. I hope that the doctors will take wonderful care of you and that you will be 100% cancer free soon... my thoughts and prayers are with you {{{hugs}}}

 

[Chattyaholic]

How awful for you, Felicia. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray everything goes well for you.

 

[Pam]

{{{HUGS}}} Felicia.

I'm glad you're getting a second opinion and hopefully the doctor will be able to explain everything to you.

I'll keep you in my prayers,
Pam

 

[snoopy]

Oh, Felicia, I am so sorry. I am just shocked - you have had such a rough year.

If it makes you feel any better, a friend of mine had thyroid cancer and she was told if one had to have cancer, cancer of the thyroid is one of the easiest to cure. She made a full recovery and leads a healthy and full life.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Kermit]

I'm so sorry. You'll be in my prayers. I know nothing about thyroid cancer, but I'm praying that you'll get the answers you need to make a wise decision and that you'll soon be cured.

{{{Hugs}}}

 

[pumba]

It does sound very positive....they wouldn't let you wait until after the holidays if they were worried too.....my prayers are with you and your mom....and we are all here for you ....anytime .....

 

[minniepumpernickel]

First I would insist that they translate the doctor jargon into English! Sloane Kettering is a really great hospital, so you will be in good hands. It always touches me on here, when someone speaks of cancer, because several family members of mine have had it. Actually my aunt recovered from breast cancer in record time, she was a patient at Slone Kettering, so they must work miracles there.

Keep your chin up, and hang in there!

 

[olena]

*HUGS* and support for you, Felicia.

 

[catsrule]

I am so sorry, Felicia. I do not understand anything of it, just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. What Snoopy said sounds wonderful. Let us know how you are doing.

 

[cleo]

Snoopy's friend is right... if you have to have a cancer, thyroid's the one to pick. Let them get in there and remove the rest of it, and you're going to be just fine.

I was hyperthyroid for many years before I got a proper diagnosis. They removed most of my thyroid and I was fine for 15 years. It finally went hypo and I was tired and out of sorts for a few years before they diagnosed that properly. Since you'll be started on medication immediately, you'll only have to adjust your levels as your body settles in. No big deal... don't let it worry you. You may feel tired but you'll know why, and you'll be monitored.

Hang in there, honey. It's scary, but your chances of an excellent outcome are pretty terrific.

 

[Poohbear123]

You will beat this, you have the stamina to do so. Faith.

 

[Rajah]

*HUGS*. P&PD on the way, Felicia.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

First.. Felicia.. hugs...
Second.. I am the Mom of a Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid survivor... in fact, it is ironic that you posted this today as tomorrow I am going with her for her yearly scan...when you have a nodule that is defined as papillary carcinoma, they usually take the lobe of the thyroid it is in... pretty standard procedure... and if you would like to talk to me further about this, please feel free to pm me...

Now.. everyone says if you have to get a cancer, this is the one to get.. Just like winning the lottery, they say... it is curable.. there are many sites on the internet you can read about it and many books written... I would read everything I could get my hands on and be prepared to ask as many questions as necessary to make you feel more comfortable before this surgery...

I will try and get the name of the book from my daughter that she recommends....Please try not to worry...I would make sure that the surgeon that does the surgery for you regularly does thyroidectomies...I am here if you have any questions...

Hugs..

PS... just an added thought here.. my daughter was second stage..meaning that it had spread from her thyroid to her lymph nodes...they took those lymph nodes out...or harvested them is how it was referred to....at any rate.. she is cancer free for almost 5 years.. it was scary for us as her parents.. she was young for this to happen...so please keep your spirits up.. you will do fine... double hugs..

 

[Deb in IA]

I am NOT an oncologist, but the MOST IMPORTANT THING I read in your path report was "confined to the thyroid".

Means it has NOT spread, and as such, should be curable.

You will probably need a thyroidectomy (surgical removal of the thyroid), followed by taking thyroid replacement for the rest of your life (Synthroid is the most commonly used form). But, as snoopy said, you should be able to lead a full life with no restrictions.

Best wishes to you, Felicia . . .

 

[Serena]

Oh no! I'm glad you are getting a second opinion, if nothing else it will help reassure you of any mistakes. Of course, prayers and pixie dust on the way for you.
I like your mom's idea about the t-shirts.

 

[DocRafiki]

I can maybe shed a little light.

circumscribed but not encapsulated

Circumscribed is good. It means it has distinct borders. The alternative, diffuse borders, increases the risk of malignancy and metastasis (spreading). Encapsulated would be even better.

The nuclei are fairly diffusely distributed.

I've never seen it worded this way on a pathology report. But, if that's his way of saying that there aren't multiple nuclei or nucleoli (which is what it sounds like), then that's also a good thing.

I do not see vascular invasion nor extension beyond the thyroid.

Also good, shows decreased likelihood of metastasis.


Their wanting to remove the other lobe probably has to do with studies that have determined the typical behavior of these tumors. Sorry I can't help you with that, but I bet there is info to be found online.

I know it's easier to say "don't worry" than to actually do it, but the report doesn't look too menacing. Hugs to you, and good luck with your procedure.


Sorry-- the more knowledgeable experts answered while I was typing. Ignore my fake doctor notes.