Thyroid cancer?

[Chocolatebuttonanyone]

I have a nodule on my thyroid. Just been seen under a 2 week wait and there is a 20% chance its cancer.
Shit shit shit.
I know that means 80 percent that its not, but I probably need a hemithyroidectomy anyway.
I cant deal with this right now. I dont know what to do.

Up to two weeks, @stresshead38 !

I'm sorry that you've had a crap NHS experience @Stillwaitingallyear - I can't imagine all this stress being exacerbated by that. Glad you have healed well from your hemi though, I expect that is where I will end up even if the nodule is benign.

Eugh. Why does it always have to be 2 weeks!!

I think suspected cancer runs on 2 weeks for everything, but it's a veeery flexible 2.weeks!

I know... but you'd think looking at FNA really can't take that long... I guess it's the appointment slot which is running at a 2 week turn around

Yes, we agreed on a hemi which might turn out to be a bit of a gamble but I didn't want them taking the whole thing unless it was absolutely necessary. They've only biopsied the right hand side as the left nodule wasn't found until the second biopsy, and whatever the right turns out to be isn't necessarily what the left is. I had the option to have 3 monthly biopsies but realistically that would involve appointments every 6 weeks, one for the biopsy, one for results and that wasn't sustainable. If the right is benign then I'll have 6 monthly biopsies on the left, so whatever Thursday brings it's not the end of the book, but it will be the end of this chapter.

The kids aren't aware of the situation and just think my thyroid was playing up so I needed half removing. I didn't want them carrying the worry because cancer is a scary word. That's the only bit I'm dreading, as if it is cancer I will have to tell them. Other than that I see it as just being a pain in the arse (well neck!).

Absolutely happy to answer any questions about it all if it helps anyone

I have got 3 nodules on my thyroid and had a biopsy in October. It came back as indeterminate so I'm down to have another biopsy in 6 months time to see if they can get a conclusive answer.

They did say they could take it out but seemed to heavily recommend having another biopsy and take it from there. They said they are fairly sure it is benign but can't be 100% certain. They did make me feel I was making a mountain out of a molehill to be honest. I am a natural worrier and the thought it could be cancer does bother me. But even if they take it out, the consultant said it could be up to 6 months for the operation as it's not a priority.

@Stillwaitingallyear

i didn’t tell my dc it was cancer. I waited a few years till I mentioned it. They knew I was having treatment and operations. It just felt easier at the time as they were quite young.

like you I had a hemi but they told me quite quickly it was a tumour. And to be safe they wanted to remove the other half. It’s a shock. Big word. All clear now and have annual check ups. I think though I would argue now to keep my other half intact so I could avoid thyroxine.

Hope you’re doing ok x

How old are your kids @Stillwaitingallyear ?

Mine are young, but old enough to know the word cancer due to friends having had forms of it. I'm more upset at the thought of telling my parents as we're already going through a horrible time with my dads health

I told mine. Have three boys and two are ASD so wanted facts more than showing emotion.
They were pretty nonplussed as I have been unwell with a litany of issues for quite a long time. It was just another thing. They might ask if appointments went ok and apart from that dark humour is our friend :)

Mine are 14 & 12. I officially cursed myself, my appointment has been cancelled and it's now next week. What an absolute shambles! I was furious at first and I was tempted to tell them to stick it but now I'm thinking it's just another week. I've had the majority of the year waiting while they mess me about so what's another week really?

This is bad, @Stillwaitingallyear Sometimes you can hold out because there is a firm end in sight and it feels awful to have it snatched away. I hope things go as smoothly as possible now

It's the waiting I hate. It's been a week today and I just wish I knew something. Anything.

Did the surgeon call, @Stomacharmeleon ? Do you actually have a set oncology appointment for early Dec?

Yes 14th of December.
No call yet no but am going there again tomorrow for bloods.
I am trying to remember how long they made me wait last time. I am sure it wasn't that long :/

My scan is tomorrow. I'm getting really nervous now

@Stomacharmeleon will be thinking of you tomorrow - I had a hospital day with my relative today and it's just so draining all the travelling

@stresshead38 thank you x sending you a hug for tomorrow and fingers crossed for you that it all goes well.

Lots of love and luck for tomorrow @stresshead38 x

I have had cysts for 2 years now. The biggest is 10cm! I’ve had barium swallow tests and aspirations but no. Cancerous despite 10cm growth over two years… my consultant isn’t keen to remove my thyroid as it is working well and swallow isn’t compromised (apparently) but reading everyone else’s comments makes me think it should be removed? It does show as obvious as people comment on my neck thinking I’ve been stung or something.

@shadowboy, I am surprised your consultant is not operated. I have a nodule on the side of my thyroid who was growing every year and was over 12 cm. The surgeon removed half of my thyroid, thyroid is still functioning perfectly and my neck now looks nornal, you don't even notice the scar. Consultant was worry that my airway could ended up being blocked as the nodule was growing steadily every year.

Thank you @NoddyTheNodule and @Stomacharmeleon. Just leaving for the hospital now

It wasn't particularly reassuring. It's an elongated nodule around 18mm. But she needs it reviewed by the consultant to grade it. Which I'm not taking as a good sign. I was so hoping she was going to say it was nothing to worry about.

@stresshead38 was it aspirated or just scan? How are you feeling?
I am still at the hospital.

Just a scan. I guess aspiration will be next.

I'm a mess if I'm honest. Obviously my brain has gone straight to worst case scenario. It was the way she said 'the consultant needs to review it' It just feels like that's a really bad sign.

Does it being elongated mean anything?

Ah. Yes. I've just googled it. 'A well known feature of malignancy'