B4 Removal of Thyroid & Unknow Cancer

nasher said:

before .. and beyond
well i had a fine needle biopsy done before my surgery they were unable to tell at that time if it was cancer or not.. they decided on me to only take 1/2 the thyroid later they found it was cancer and took the rest of it

if you want to read my story it is on the forum below at

http://csn.cancer.org/node/204377

I did try to document everything that was going on but i missed alot

if you have any questions please ask

also if you go to www.thyca.org they have alot of good thyroid cancer related info there

good luck and please keep us informed on how you are doing

sunnyaz said:

You Are So Welcome!
Educating yourself is the best way to advocate for yourself. The B-RAF is usually done on the tissue after surgery. I doubt there is a blood test for it yet. I am in Nursing and so far I haven't had a request for it in the blood. I didn't even know about it until my Endocrinologist told me that I was tested and it was positive.

There are lots of great doctors in our country. Just research the ones that you have to be sure there are no Malpractice suits or other complaints against them from the Board of Medicine. I do recommend that if this turns out to be cancer you should have an Oncologist (Cancer Specialist) preferably one that specializes in Endocrine cancer.

Taking my "Thyroid in a bottle" as my husband calls it, isn't so bad. You get into a routine and it's just something you do every day like brushing your teeth and taking a shower. Most Thyroid meds are taken on an empty stomach without dairy products at least a half and hour or more before you eat in the morning. I have never had any problem with this.

I am not so worried about the surgery, I have come to accept and almost expect them. I get to take off of work from December 17th through the 3rd of January with some pretty good drugs. Not that I am a druggie or anything, but sometimes it makes for an okay vacation since that's really the only vacation time I am allotted. I have to use all of my PTO for surgeries and treatments. Might as well make the most of it, huh?

As far as metastasis, they can usually tell from MRI's, Sonograms, X-rays etc. PET scans are used sometimes as well. Just depends on your symptoms, history and your doctor as to what they will order.

I will also keep you in my prayers. I am a firm believer in God and his Son. He will get us through this. Keep your faith strong and never waiver. Even in things that seem really bad and you find yourself asking "why me", know that there is good that will evolve from everything. He will never give you anything you can't handle. It is His way. I lost my business when the economy crashed and I had to go back to school. I chose the Medical field because of the low economic impact, or so I thought at the time. Had I not had my background in Medicine, my cancer would have gone way past stage 1 before my Primary doctor did anything about it. Incidentally, I was just finishing school when I was diagnosed. Just a month before I got really sick with symptoms I studied the workings of the Thyroid. Before my education, I didn't even know what a Thyroid was or what it did. That is God's work. Yes, I lost my business and I lost my home to foreclosure, but now I have a better home and a much more stable career.

Keep me posted.
God Bless,
Julie

sunnyaz said:

Question-Symptoms
I had heart palpitations beginning in December of 2008 with a lot of Acid Reflux and stomach sounds. Then I would get so cold during the winter that I would shake and almost go into a seizure where I couldn't move. If not for my husband to carry me inside I might have froze to death outside on a couple of occasions. Yes, even in Sunny Arizona it get's very cold in the winter. One day in March of 2009 I took a really hot bath; which is one of my favorite past-times and I started feeling really sick and dizzy. I crawled out of the bath and made it to my bed. I then started having symptoms like a stroke. My body temperature was so high I turned red and my husband and daughter kept fanning me to cool me down as I lay there naked and helpless having what I called a stroke. I just couldn't control my body temperature. I would suddenly feel very nauseated and tired and it would stop me in my tracks. Whatever I was doing I had to stop and lay down just to concentrate on breathing and not passing out. Even if I was driving somewhere I would pull over and crawl in the back of my van to lay there, just praying and concentrating on breathing. All the while telling myself, "you are okay, the doctor says this is all in your head, you are okay." I would chant this over and over again in my head. My doctor thought I was having Panic/Anxiety attacks. I finally put the symptoms together along with the unexplained weight gain and found the lump in my neck. I insisted on a Sonogram and biopsy. My doctor is still eating his words claiming that he "doesn't have a crystal ball." My reply is "yes, but you do have a MD and ears to listen to your patients." I get really ticked off when he sarcastically refers to me as the "doc."
Take Care, will check posts tomorrow,
Julie

sunnyaz said:

Hi Christy
It sounds like you are going through a lot right now. I understand the skin biopsy pain and the toenail pain. I assist in these types of surgeries all the time. The Lidocaine can only numb it for a little while. We usually have an Rx ready to go before the procedure even starts. I hope they gave you Hydrocodone or Percocet for the pain. Depending on what they gave you, you can also use Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Motrin) in addition. If they gave you a pain killer with a combination of drugs you don't want to add to it. Hydrocodone often has Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen in it. You will know if after the drug name it says APAP 5/500 or 7.5/500 mg. If you have questions as to what is added just call any Pharmacist.

I am going to the hospital tomorrow morning for my Fine Needle Biopsy of the left lymph node they found on the last Sonogram. Hope it's not another metastasis to the other side, but as long as I am having surgery on the 17th it's better to know before and get it all out at one time. At least I get a day off of work! I got a chuckle out of the doctor I work for when he asked me why I wouldn't be there tomorrow. I said "I am going to hang out at the Cancer Center tomorrow and let them put a big needle in my neck." He replied, "what some people won't do to get out of work!" I laughed and said "I know, right!?" He is such a great Doctor, I wish I could have him as my own PCP but it's against company policy.

Take each day one at a time and never let your spirits down. Live, love and laugh every single day. I tell my patients all the time that laughter is the best medicine. I have an MS (Multiple Sclerosis) patient going through an exacerbation right now. While the steroids are helping her, I advised her to plug in a good comedy and keep laughing and smiling. I try to leave each day as if it were my last. This is the best way to never have regrets. Keep hugging and kissing that precious boy! You have so much to be thankful for.

I will post after Bx results.

God Bless,
Julie
AKA SunnyAZ

sunnyaz said:

Good Morning!
Lorcet and Lortab are the same drug but they bumped you up 2.5 more mg's. It's Hydrocodone (Vicodin). Good pain killers if you can tolerate them. Some people get constipated if they are on them for long periods of time. Best to use Metamucil if you take them more than a few days. If it has a second strength behind it, like 500 or 650 it also has Acetaminophen (Tylenol). So you don't want to add to this by taking any more Tylenol. You can however use Ibuprofen if you need added relief. No more than 800 mg's every 6-8 hours. Need to eat with Ibuprofen. Never take it on an empty stomach.

This is totally normal to feel very tired. I wake up tired and go to bed tired feeling tired all day long sometimes. I do have spurts of energy however. Just need to educate your husband a little bit. My husband is very understanding about my illness. I am really lucky to have such a wonderful guy. He tries to keep the house quiet while I nap. Sometimes that is very hard to do. I have a teenager, a dog, a cat and a very loud Parrot.

I will go get the movie "Date Night" very soon. I need a good laugh.

The Biopsy went well. I should hear something next week as to whether it is metastasis to the left side or not. I LOVE my new doctor. He is so amazing and he actually has a personality. Sounds weird but I am looking forward to my surgery even though I will be unconscious the majority of my time. I just feel so comfortable with him and have complete trust in his abilities.

When is your surgery? Keep me posted. You are still in my prayers.

Julie-SunnyAZ