Cancer Survivors Network

Hi Everyone,
Tomorrow marks a year ago that I had my TT and lymph node removal for papillary cancer. I had my RAI treatment 175mci December 29th 2010. My scan after came back clean. In August I went back for my follow up scan before returning to college. After the scan the doctors made me drink lemon juice and do the scan again. They came in and told me I was free to go. My family and I went out and celebrated with a meal full of iodine. Two days later my endo called, he told me I should have an ultrasound done because my Tg was high but I was confused as to why the doctors doing the scan said nothing. Had my ultrasound two days before returning to school. The tech found one lymph node and the radiologist came in and offered to biopsy right there so I wouldn't have to make a trip back home. A week later my results came back positive for papillary cancer...again =(.
I refused to get surgery until winter break, other wise I'd be a year behind in my major.

So here I am wondering if I made the right choice. Has anyone else had lymph nodes removed after TT? My surgeon told me it would be same day surgery 45-60 minute procedure. I don't know if I believe him. My TT was only supposed to take 2 hours and I was under for 6 and a half. I didn't think a year ago that I would still be doing this.
How was your experience? did you have a large incision? I really didn't want to have a second scar. Now I'm worried I might have to have a third or fourth or even fifth surgery.

Hope everyone is doing well, I'm trying to stay positive but its getting hard.

-Celeste