The THYROID Thread

[Minerva Mouse]

Ok ladies, and gentlemen, if there are any in this thread. Who's had the "fine needle aspiration biopsy?"

Honestly, how was it? Did you do it with or without a numbing agent? I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I know everyones pain tolerance is different so something like this is probably pretty hard to gauge.

I had a Electromyogram once a couple of years ago for some neck and carpel tunnel issues, and that was absolutely awful. AWFUL! OMGosh, I don't think you could pay me to do that again. And at first I thought I'd be ok with the biopsy, 2 nodules, 2 pricks, in and out. BUT, I just read that they may prick you 3 or 4 times to ensure a good sample. So now I'm thinking, O.M.G. EIGHT. TIMES. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

I know everyone has their own issues. But do you ever think why me? I try not to go there, and most days don't play the "whoa is me card." But sometimes, I just feel like I've really been given a crap hand. I know, I know, it could always be worse. But I worry about my future sometimes, I'm not even 40 and I have a mound of "little issues" and I wonder what it's gonna be like in 10 or 20 more years when all these little issues aren't so little anymore.

 

[SingingMom]

Ok ladies, and gentlemen, if there are any in this thread. Who's had the "fine needle aspiration biopsy?" Honestly, how was it? Did you do it with or without a numbing agent? I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I know everyones pain tolerance is different so something like this is probably pretty hard to gauge. I had a Electromyogram once a couple of years ago for some neck and carpel tunnel issues, and that was absolutely awful. AWFUL! OMGosh, I don't think you could pay me to do that again. And at first I thought I'd be ok with the biopsy, 2 nodules, 2 pricks, in and out. BUT, I just read that they may prick you 3 or 4 times to ensure a good sample. So now I'm thinking, OMG EIGHT TIMES. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I know everyone has their own issues. But do you ever think why me? I try not to go there, and most days don't play the "whoa is me card." But sometimes, I just feel like I've really been given a crap hand. I know, I know, it could always be worse. But I worry about my future sometimes, I'm not even 40 and I have a mound of "little issues", and I wonder what it's gonna be like in 10 or 20 more years when these little issues aren't so little anymore.

I know what you mean about the mound of little issues - I've had my share as have so many of us on this thread. You aren't alone. Hang in there. ;-)

As far as the fine needle biopsy, I would like to share with you my experience so you are prepared for it. The doctor and nurse may end up VERY close to your face. Just be ready for that. I have a "personal space" issue ( hate the dentist & eye doctor because they are right in my face, but can deal with any other exams) so it really unnerved me to have the endocrinologist right in my face as he did the procedure. The other thing is the position of your head, with your neck extended up. It isn't painful as much as highly annoying. I held my husband's hand and that helped. It really doesn't take all that long. Just keep remembering that it will be over quickly. Good luck. ((Hugs))

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[angwill]

Ok ladies, and gentlemen, if there are any in this thread. Who's had the "fine needle aspiration biopsy?"

Honestly, how was it? Did you do it with or without a numbing agent? I have to admit, I'm a little nervous. I know everyones pain tolerance is different so something like this is probably pretty hard to gauge.

I had a Electromyogram once a couple of years ago for some neck and carpel tunnel issues, and that was absolutely awful. AWFUL! OMGosh, I don't think you could pay me to do that again. And at first I thought I'd be ok with the biopsy, 2 nodules, 2 pricks, in and out. BUT, I just read that they may prick you 3 or 4 times to ensure a good sample. So now I'm thinking, O.M.G. EIGHT. TIMES. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

I know everyone has their own issues. But do you ever think why me? I try not to go there, and most days don't play the "whoa is me card." But sometimes, I just feel like I've really been given a crap hand. I know, I know, it could always be worse. But I worry about my future sometimes, I'm not even 40 and I have a mound of "little issues" and I wonder what it's gonna be like in 10 or 20 more years when all these little issues aren't so little anymore.

I have a high pain tollerance and I still would have asked to be numbed if they didn't offer it. That one shot will be the only thing that hurts then it is just a slight pressure for each needle biopsy. I told them to make sure they took as many samples as they needed and not to stop till they had what they needed. I got 9 samples taken on one nodule. I read before hand that if they don't get what they need you may have to go back and I would rather be tortured good and long once than more than one shorter torture. lol In the end it really was not bad at all. I got a pillow for under my neck so the position I had to keep it in didn't bother me at all and I was able to watch the ultrasound while they took each sample and since I couldn't feel it other than a small pressure I just pretended it wasn't me. lol The hospital that did mine did have a lab person in the room with us who checked out each sample under a microscope to make sure they got what they needed for sure. I heard from others that doesn't happen in most places. I also could not have anyone in the room with me so my husband had to wait in the waiting room for me. It probably is for the best since both of us tend to joke when we are uncomfortable in a situation and the last thing I needed was to be trying not to laugh.

In the end, I had watched you tube videos of people describing their needle biopsy and watched video of them being done and expected a heck of a lot worse than I felt it actually was. If music helps sooth you bring in an MP3 player or ipod and keep it playing in one ear and just close your eyes and try to relax.

As for feeling sorry for yourself and worrying that isn't uncommon just don't let it suck you under. My take on it is that I am not in charge of how or when it will be my time on this earth so I refuse to worry about something I have no control over. If there are aspects I can control I worry about taking care of those things I can change. Then again my whole life has been one thing after another. Even while going through a total thyroidectomy and the RAI and suppression it was still one hard situation after another taking place round me. That was not so easy to deal with while in hypohell.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I had to have a lot of fna's. The surgeon who did my thy ca surgery did mine.

My dh was in the room with me and he was holding my hand for moral support.

I have a high pain tolerance too so it really didnt bother me the lst time around.

The 2nd set of fna I had were because they didnt et enough cells in the first samples so this time he said he was going to shake up my neck. Its really not that bad. You just have to stay still and they move your neck around a little more briskly.

Honestly it sounds worse than it really is.

After all of that I had to have a core biopsy because they saw my cancer was really rare and they still didnt know what kind. That core biopsy was the worst. My dh took me to Outback for dinner after that one!

You might feel a little stingy and sore after its over. Just take some tylenol or motrin etc.

Wishing you all the best. You can get through this. My faith brings me a lot of comfott. I hope you find something you can hold onto tight too.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Thank you ladies, I appreciate the words. Although I'm convinced your all conspiring against me, and that it hurts like hell.

 

[SingingMom]

Thank you ladies, I appreciative the words. Although I'm convinced your all conspiring against me, and that it hurts like hell.

Truly, it doesn't "hurt" , it is just very annoying. You will be fine!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[angwill]

I had to have a lot of fna's. The surgeon who did my thy ca surgery did mine.

My dh was in the room with me and he was holding my hand for moral support.

I have a high pain tolerance too so it really didnt bother me the lst time around.

The 2nd set of fna I had were because they didnt et enough cells in the first samples so this time he said he was going to shake up my neck. Its really not that bad. You just have to stay still and they move your neck around a little more briskly.

Honestly it sounds worse than it really is.

After all of that I had to have a core biopsy because they saw my cancer was really rare and they still didnt know what kind. That core biopsy was the worst. My dh took me to Outback for dinner after that one!

You might feel a little stingy and sore after its over. Just take some tylenol or motrin etc.

Wishing you all the best. You can get through this. My faith brings me a lot of comfott. I hope you find something you can hold onto tight too.

Wow you had to go through a lot to find out if your nodules were cancer. That sounds awful. Now I feel blessed that they knew right away that mine was cancerous.

 

[mrsklamc]

Minerva- I'll spare you the details but yes, I've had my share of issues...

I promise it's true that the FNA doesn't hurt. To prove it, I will admit I did have a weird reaction- which was weird because it didn't hurt at all, and I didn't think I was nervous or panicked.

(here's what it was:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasovagal_response)

This is very unlikely to happen to you, I just thought it might be reassuring to know that we really are being up front with you, and not hiding anything. It doesn't hurt.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Truly, it doesn't "hurt" , it is just very annoying. You will be fine!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

This is very unlikely to happen to you, I just thought it might be reassuring to know that we really are being up front with you, and not hiding anything. It doesn't hurt.

Thank you ladies.

Now I feel blessed that they knew right away that mine was cancerous.

May I ask how they knew right away that yours was cancerous?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Wow you had to go through a lot to find out if your nodules were cancer. That sounds awful. Now I feel blessed that they knew right away that mine was cancerous.

I first had a pet scan and already knew they were cancerous.

The surgeon wanted to know what kind of cancer it was. I didnt have a nodule, it was a 12.5 centimeter tumor crushing my trachea. It was sitting on the top of the thyroid. My dh says it was the size of a jif peanut butter lid, lol!

Then the other tumor was 4.5 centimeters. they still dont know about that one. The path. thought it might have broken off from the original tumor and maybe it was a new tumor in and about itself. That was infiltrating through the nerve I think. I dont know if the path report referred to that as a nodule. I think it said tumor. Not sure. I would have to dig it out.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Mikayla - we need a baby update on that little guy! Hope all is well. Continued prayers for you.

Well I got my mammo results back and all is well so I am happy.

My dh is in calif. again. sigh.

Hope you all have a joyous holiday season.

Check in when you can.

 

[angwill]

Thank you ladies.



May I ask how they knew right away that yours was cancerous?

After the first appointment for the FNA they got cells saying it was cancerous. I feel fortunate they knew after one and didn't have to keep doing more FNA's.

 

[angwill]

I first had a pet scan and already knew they were cancerous.

The surgeon wanted to know what kind of cancer it was. I didnt have a nodule, it was a 12.5 centimeter tumor crushing my trachea. It was sitting on the top of the thyroid. My dh says it was the size of a jif peanut butter lid, lol!

Then the other tumor was 4.5 centimeters. they still dont know about that one. The path. thought it might have broken off from the original tumor and maybe it was a new tumor in and about itself. That was infiltrating through the nerve I think. I dont know if the path report referred to that as a nodule. I think it said tumor. Not sure. I would have to dig it out.

So glad to hear your tests came back good. What a wonderful Christmas gift. Wow and I thought mine being just over 3 centimeters was big. I was having problems swallowing so I don't know how you coped with yours being that big. Couldn't even picture having a peanut butter lid in my throat. Mine was called a tumor as well. I just thought they were all also called nodules but guess not? I am forever learning something new about it all. Someone on the thy ca threads made me so sad the other day when they said that with thyroid cancer, unlike other cancers, we are never cancer free or in remission and best we can hope for is being told there is no trace of cancer at this time. For some reason that really bothers me.

 

[Christine]

Someone on the thy ca threads made me so sad the other day when they said that with thyroid cancer, unlike other cancers, we are never cancer free or in remission and best we can hope for is being told there is no trace of cancer at this time. For some reason that really bothers me.

Try not to let that get to you. The reason that this is the case is that no surgeon can possibly remove every thyroid cell in your body. Even RAI therapy is no guarantee of getting every cell. Every thyroid cell has the potential to become cancerous at any time. So, for the medical community, this is more of a "cover your butt" statement because, really, there are just no guarantees.

And, honestly, I know that other cancers get the "clean" or "cancer free" verdict after a certain number of years but even with them, I have known them to get recurrences when they were told they were cured. I'd rather just know ahead of time that there's always a potential and just be prepared for it. For *most* thyroid cancer patients, you can safely consider yourself free of cancer after surgery and follow up RAI. But because of the inability to eradicate all thyroid cells, it does require lifelong surveillance.

 

[mrsklamc]

I'm still here, just crazy busy. Today is 33 weeks and everything still looks good, as of last week I have two appointments per week to check on things, plus I work a part time job in addition to my full time job, and since I can't travel everyone was here for Thanksgiving and will be here for Christmas. Thankfully my full time job shuts down for the week between Christmas and New Year's so at least a break is on the horizon, LOL.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Just poppin in to say Have Joyous and Blessed Christmas everyone

 

[Minerva Mouse]

Try not to let that get to you. The reason that this is the case is that no surgeon can possibly remove every thyroid cell in your body. Even RAI therapy is no guarantee of getting every cell. Every thyroid cell has the potential to become cancerous at any time. So, for the medical community, this is more of a "cover your butt" statement because, really, there are just no guarantees.

And, honestly, I know that other cancers get the "clean" or "cancer free" verdict after a certain number of years but even with them, I have known them to get recurrences when they were told they were cured. I'd rather just know ahead of time that there's always a potential and just be prepared for it. For *most* thyroid cancer patients, you can safely consider yourself free of cancer after surgery and follow up RAI. But because of the inability to eradicate all thyroid cells, it does require lifelong surveillance.

I did not know this.

As for me, I met with endo on Friday. I really liked her, she made sure I understood what was happening and took the time to address any of my concerns, which was a plus in my book.

She said that she is not concerned with my right nodule, it's complex which means that it was both a solid and a liquid mass but because of its size (about the size of a pencil eraser) there was no need to address it at this time.

However, the nodule on the left is solid, about the size of a dime, and is growing, so this one shows some concern, this one will require a biopsy as soon as I make the appointment. I went out of town for the holiday, so I will call on Thursday to arrange the appointment.

Thank you everyone, Happy Holidays!

 

[Christine]

I probably haven't talked much about my best friend who just had her thyroid removed on December 10th. Back in September, she had a funny mammogram and was referred to a breast surgeon. During the breast surgeon's routine exam, he felt two nodules on her thyroid. He immediately did an ultrasound on them and referred her to the hospital's radiology department for further evaluation. Those reports came back benign for one nodule and indeterminate for another.

My friend then took herself to Washington Hospital Center which is "the" thyroid place in the DC area. They did further ultrasounds and biopsies. Found about 6 small nodules. Also did a biopsy which generally came back benign. Because of the size of one the nodules (huge), they scheduled her for a total thyroidectomy. This nodule was mixed (fluid and solid) and was pressing on her throat.

She had a great surgery. But lo and behold, the final pathology came back with an incidental papillary thyroid cancer within the "weird" nodule. The other small, solid nodules were fine. She follows up with an endo in February. The surgeon believes that they won't do further treatment since it wasn't even a "nodule" within the nodule. It was a clump of papillary cells that measured 3mm. Just goes to show you that you can't ever get a truly benign reading on a biopsy. They were all pretty sure that these nodules were "fine." I'm glad she got it out!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Just wanted to say Happy 2014 (almost!)

 

[mrsklamc]

Just stopping in to say hello....Didn't know if Christine and LMP were snowbound? Yesterday was pretty bad traffic wise due to snow but not as bad as it's supposed to be this weekend- we're supposed to get 8-12 inches and they say many roads will be 'impassable.' We don't live far from the hospital but I told DH that our little one better stay put through the weekend!