I'm A Medical Wimp...and... About This Page:

[simbarel]

...I've just been told my thyroid ultrasound showed some nodules on it, so the doctor wanted to book a thyroid scan.

I googled it all, I think they're looking for cancer. Has anyone had this done? I'm kinda freaked. My mother died young (40) from cancer which is what had me scared of doctors for years. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I'm booked for May 22. Any calm, soothing survival stories out there?

[jimmymac]

My mother had hers removed 38 years ago and she's still around. Out of the hospital in 4 days and never looked back

[Grammy Grumpy]

Hang in there Rachel. Sending lots of "hope the tests come out okay" [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]. I've had some experience with thyroid problems.

Although my thyroid problems were not concerning cancer I had mine out last year. I'd suffered with Hassimoto's syndrom which resulted in a large goiter (because it was underactive). There were nodules and to perhaps avoid any further complications later on it was removed. Since I was already used to taking oral meds to replace that hormone it wasn't too big a deal. I did stay overnight in the hospital but only because my surgery was late in the pm and the organ was so big they wanted me to stay over for observation.

Keep us posted on the results.

[Caldercup]

Nodes on the thyroid are very common, Rachel. They will probably want to do a "fine needle aspiration" (FNA) and that's not a bad test to get through.

There's something called Hashimoto's thyroidistis - google it for more info -- that's not cancer and is very easy to live with. Most thyroid illnesses are easy to treat with medication.

My dad's an Endocrinologist (a top doc in Phila who has worked in the field for 30 years) and he recently helped one of my best friends who had nodes on her thyroid and he reassured her by saying that he only even thinks "cancer" after ruling out several other easily-treatable issues.

Good luck!
Eileen

[simbarel]

[ QUOTE ]
Nodes on the thyroid are very common, Rachel. They will probably want to do a "fine needle aspiration" (FNA) and that's not a bad test to get through.


[/ QUOTE ]

After how I reacted while she was drawing blood, I think she's afraid to get anywhere's near me with a needle again. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] But for that it wasn't so much the needle as it was the thump-thump-thump in my arm. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img]

That blood test did reveal normal thyroid levels, though. Does that make a difference? I'll take a Seinfeld goiter over cancer. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/help.gif[/img]

[Caldercup]

I think that "normal" is a relative term for the TSH levels. Some people are naturally on the low side of "normal" and some are high.

I think the question is more "do you have symptoms of low thyroid function" - do you feel cold all the time, sleepy, dry, flaky skin, etc.

In my friend's case, she was in the normal range, but had the symptoms. Her FNA showed normal cells. The final determination was just to watch it and have it checked regularly. She says that she only feels the nodes every once in a while anymore and she's just prepared to keep an eye on them, but she doesn't worry about cancer... She does have to take synthroid, but that doesn't cause her any problems.

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img]
Eileen

[cjadkins]

Can't offer any advice, but I can offer pixies!

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[Colexis Mom]

Tons of pixies for you girl [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[Jennifer2003]

I'm here with pixies, too!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

Keep us posted!

Jennifer

[RobDVC]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[Nicole0128]

My understanding is that thyroids can develop cyst type things that affect them but that are not cancerous. My mother has had this on her thyroid for a long time, they treat for the symptoms but I don't think its anything to worry about

[disney_girl]

About seven years ago I had a small cyst in my neck area and had to have an MRI which I was really scared about but it was just fine. When you have to get any type of medical procedure, just breath deeply and close your eyes and relax! (Easier said than done, I know.) If I feel paniky or any anxiety, I just accept that it's not going to be comfortable, but if I stay calm through it, it will be over soon. Good luck!

[RobinKay6573]

I don't have any stories to share...just wanted to send you some:

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[poohbear.u.k.]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

[DrDolphin]

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]