OK, officially freaking out!

So here's some encouragement. Don't freak out. I saw a very smart (and very nice) endocrinologist today about my nodules. i've already had the ultrasound and thyroid blood work (normal levels). She said less than 5% turn out to be cancerous. If they are - simple. They remove the thyroid and then one treatment "radiation" and you are done. No hair loss, no nausea. 

The needle biopsy which is the next step is like a pin prick. They will give me lidocaine if I want it but usually the most you need is tylenol. 

By the way, she says she has nodules herself. Usually they only find them on autopsy but we cancer folks have MRIs, Pet Scans, and CT scans so they find them. The one on my left side is just a fluid-filled cyst. The one on my right side is 1.5 cm so I have to have a needle biopsy and then if benign, one-year follow-up.

Like I have said before - worrying is not going to change anything.

Oh Debrajo, you must be a wreck!   I know you are more concerned about your family.   It is good to use this site as a sounding board.  

When you mentioned Houston, I could not help but think "Houston, we have a problem".   That problem was resolved and I am sending you all the postive thoughts your way that this too may resolve itself.

Sending you hugs!  ((((Hugs))))

Kathy

debrajo said:

Bless your heart Kathy!  I

Bless your heart Kathy!  I thought that, too!  I think just GOING to Houston and getting back home in one {living}piece is more scary to me then the possible dx!  Annnnnd to add insult to injury, the appointment is, wait for it.....Friday 13th!  Oh, good thing I'm not {too!} superstious!  Thanks for the hugs and thoughts, Love you all Debra 

Don't get the cart before the horse!!  Hold your own and try to think positive.....remember once a cancer patient, they always recheck everything a zillion times.  Most times it's nothing.  Id' rather have my docs be more precise and do more testing, then to shove it off as nothing.  Be strong and go with the flow.

Be thinking of you dear!

Jan

debrajo said:

Thanks Jan, how are you,

Thanks Jan, how are you, still gaining a little weight?  I think I would have been alright if it hadn't been for Mama.  She over heard the phone call or I would have never said a word!  I really should learn to keep that sort of stuff away from her, but I never thought she'd hear me talk since she can't hear it thunder!  I've calmed down and am doing a green smoothie diet/life change.  Not really looking to lose weight, but I do feel better.  Maybe that no weight loss is due to the wore out thyroid!  Been taking pills for that for YEARS!  You take care and I'll update you as soon as I find out!  Debra 

I can relate to the mom stuff...I just moved my dear mother from her first assisted living home (moved in '09) to a memory care facility.  Has alzheimers and memory has gotten worse so needs more confined area and more guidance.  Very unsettling to see ones parent go thru this disease, but I'm doing what must be done to keep her safe and secure.  Unfortunately I'm the only family member close to  her -- or in same state -- so all on my shoulders.  

Do know youre mama can be a handful, so get out and take a short walk in the fresh TX air.  Life can get crazy, but somehow we do learn to hold our own.  Always reminding myself how stressful life can be and if we let that stress get to our health, it can be devistatiang...argh!

Yes I've gained some weight -- 5 lbs to be exact.  Not easy, but that damn doxil about killed me.  As my naturopath told me after my latest labs when completed chemo -- at this juncture the drugs are doing more damage then help!!!!!!  Yeah going from 105 lbs to 90 lbs....definitely is a bad path to keep going on.  Doing well now and feel so much better with lots of energy.  Will post more later, but I'm here.....thankfully most of the credit I give to my naturopath...she's the one whom has turned my health upward~

Take care of yourself,

Jan

Abbycat2 said:

Hi, Debra,
I just want you to

Hi, Debra,

I just want you to know that I am thinking about you and hoping all goes well for you on Friday the 13th.  From what the other ladies have said, it is unlikely you have UPSC in your thyroid.  I think I read somewhere that a goiter can also appear to be a nodule and although I don't want you to have a goiter either, it is certainly treatable.  Hang in there!  We are all praying for you to do well.  I have read many of your post and can see that you are strong and capable- rely on that inner strength now, Debra, to get you through this emotionally trying time in your life.  Keep us posted, please. 

Best Wishes,

Cathy    

Hope you are feeling better with all the words of encouragement others have given you.  Wishing you the best for your appointment  on the 13th.  You remain in my prayers.  

debrajo said:

You ladies are just too good

You ladies are just too good to me! I am MUCH better now.  With all your support and wisdom I am in a better place now even if it's worse case senerio.  I allowed Mama's fear to spill over to me with my depression...should have know better!  I have emailed MD Anderson and while I'm keeping June 13 apointment I refuse to take the results appointment for two weeks later.  I am spoiled and they did it so they will just have to cowboy up and get me a closer appointment.  I gave them the choise of June 17,18,or 19, take it or leave it.  Waiting for reply now

At Jan, I am sorry about your mother, it really is "the long goodbye".  Stepdad lasted 13 months after he went into care home.  Mama's brain is VERY sharp, just the knees and hip are gone and she is vary frail.  She has put me on a couple of missions though.  New tires for her car and finding a hospital bed for her room, which means I will be painting and setting up two rooms, then a trip to Houston, Waco, and Austin to visite family "one last time
  We'll see if it her or me that is visting for the last time!  At times like these I actually have sume symphany for "Granny Dumping"!  LOL!  Thank you from the bottom of my artificial heart valve!  Love y'll, Debra !
 

I don't know who makes me laugh more, Debrajo- you or Alexandra.  Anyway, good for you taking the Houston bull by the horns.  Making you wait 2 weeks to hear your test results is just too cruel.  Ride 'em cowgirl!

debrajo said:

I bow to Alexandra, but I

I bow to Alexandra, but I gotta find the "funny" in life!  And by the way , that ole Steer, MD Anderson is now T-Bone steak on my plate!  Got the results appointment changed from June 26 to June 19th!  I can do a week, but don't think I wont be bugging them to death before then! LOL! 

P.S.  The dr.'s and staff at MDA are beginning to look at me like the grocery store workers use to look at my grandmother...oh crap, it's HER again!  LOL! Y'all take care, Debra

Good luck at MDA, Debra.  Glad you've taken charge of the schedule at least.  We do learn to not be so passive as time goes on.  Humor is a good thing.

Suzanne

Hi there with the tyroid problem, I had the same last year, they had to take out my right thyroid. It was covered completly,but no cancer, it was just not working. But no chemo, "lucky"me. It happend a year after my breast cancer, but you'll be fine. The biopsy hurt a little bit, but nothing worse than cancer, Everybody send good thoughts and it will help. Need to be very strong, we maybe need you the future.So please be strong for yourself and others. Rememberme? I'm the one who's going next week for radiation, But all the help from you and others, feelin a little bit less worry.Thinking of you. Gaby.

Hello Debrajo,

Sorry to hear you are having to deal with the thyroid nodule issue.

In December, 2013 the CT scan results showed size increase in thyroid nodules, and the Gyn Onc. advised I see the endocrinologist.  Needless to say, I freaked.  I seaerched on this board, and was releived to read 3 things: other women also had this in the past and it was benign, 2. uterine cancer doesn't metastasize to the thyroid, 3. thyroid cancer is very treatable and has a very high success rate. PHEW!!

I also found out that enlarged thyroid nodules are quite common, and generally benign. I had bloodwork, ultrasound, and fine needle biopsies on both sides. All benign! Yeay!!  With 6 month future endo check ups. 

I get your concern, but hope you can hang in there until you get results. Best to you with caregiving your mom. 

Sara

debrajo said:

nodes

I almost let my mom pull me to the dark side . Someday I will learn to keep my mouth shut!  But since the ladies here have talked  me back on line , I.m more ticked off at having to go to Houston twice in June when I had a great check up in may!  Trying to get into Houston at noon and out of Houston at 4pm is nothing short of susiside!  My life expentcy just dropped 10 years!  I'll maybe know June 1 if not before.  Not liking the needle biospy... saw what happened to a  cousin of mine.  They missed the node, hit the thyroid and a vein, her whole face and head swelled up double.  I was a wheek before she could see out of her swollen eyes!  Thanks for caring and best to you all always, Debra

How did it go?

Suzanne