The THYROID Thread

[angwill]

So sorry to hear that, Ang. Hopefully it was caught early and you will be fine. Prayers for you!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Thanks for the prayers. Yeah, uterine is one that makes sure you know it's there when it is right away so I am sure it's early. I always wondered why they say thyroid is an easier cancer because hypohell was no picnic for me so I guess I will be finding out if other cancers with chemo and radiation are any worse.

Ang

 

[luvmarypoppins]

ang - I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Lots of prayers coming your way.

I dont know if I have heard that, but I did think I heard about breast cancer and I have read I have a higher chance of getting leukemia.

I had some issues post op, first was instant menopause and then I cant remember when but I too started getting terrible cramps and bleeding that was scaring me because of the instant surgical menopause as they called it.

The ob/gyn I went to did some testing. I dont think she did an actual endometrial biopsy. Just a pap and internal sono. She concluded that sometimes our bodies just go through things like this and there was nothing wrong. I havent had any more incidents like that yet again, but if they happened they wouldnt surprise me.

I hope your dr and car team get a good treatment lan in pace for you so you can get the best treatment possible.

Hang in there! You have already proven what a strong fighter you are! We are all here for you

 

[macraven]

I got some bad news the other day. I started hemorrhaging so went to gyne and they did a uterine biopsy and I found out I now have endometrial aden carcinoma. I am going to have to research if that is a cancer that can happen after thyroid cancer. Does anyone here recall hearing that? I remember breast was one for sure.

Thanks,
Ang

i don't know anyone that has gone thru that after the surgery you have had prior but can say you are in my prayers.

thinking of you.

 

[angwill]

Thanks. Researching it I found quit a group of people who have had the same but nobody's doctors feel they are related to one another. Although it does tend to grow because of excess estrogen which is created by the same system that makes our thyroid function so it does make me wonder.

Had my mamo in May and thank God don't have to worry about that one. Although it would be a lot less invasive if I had the choice to switch I suppose but that's not how it works.

LMP, My gyne thought my bleeding and early menopause was most likely caused by my thyroid when I went in for the biopsy. It was the day after my first thyrogen shot in April that I got my bad cramps and serious bleeding and I natually blamed it on the meds then.

I am having to travel a couple of hours for treatment since there are not Gyn/oncologists anywhere near me. I am hoping they are good and have a friend in the medical field checking them out for me. I am like I was with my thyroid though and just want the crap out of me. Only then will I feel better.

 

[Christine]

angwill,

I'm sorry to hear your news and that you have to deal with yet another cancer. It sounds like you are taking the bull by the horns and you're getting your plan in place on how to tackle this and that's the good news. And if there is ever any "positive" things about this for you, it's that you have had the experience dealing with one cancer already. You know what you have to do, mentally, and you have already learned from thyroid cancer that you need to be your own medical advocate.

I think that's a huge learning curve for most people when the are first diagnosed with any cancer and it takes them a long time until they get medically savvy about their condition.

Please know that we are all pulling for you and please keep us updated on this even though it's a thyroid thread!!!

 

[angwill]

angwill,

I'm sorry to hear your news and that you have to deal with yet another cancer. It sounds like you are taking the bull by the horns and you're getting your plan in place on how to tackle this and that's the good news. And if there is ever any "positive" things about this for you, it's that you have had the experience dealing with one cancer already. You know what you have to do, mentally, and you have already learned from thyroid cancer that you need to be your own medical advocate.

I think that's a huge learning curve for most people when the are first diagnosed with any cancer and it takes them a long time until they get medically savvy about their condition.

Please know that we are all pulling for you and please keep us updated on this even though it's a thyroid thread!!!

Thanks Christine. You are so right that we have to really become medically savy for our own benefit which is sad because we pay the so called specialists so much money it should be covered in the cost. lol Yeah right. I certainly learned why I was always so level headed and the one family dumped all the major problems on to fix. I was in training for my own health war. I deal with the emotional issues after the fight is over.

I am so glad I brought it here because friends and family tend to treat these things with pity but other cancer warriors know how to not do that but instead to instill strength. Thanks everyone.

Ang

 

[1Grumpy9]

After 17 days in Orlando, I fly back home tonight.

I should have a higher Vit D level with all the sun I have taken it.
Never missed a dose of my ergo while here.

Hope all of you are fine

I am just getting back into this thread...I have the issue of low blood calcium and I understand completely about leg and abdomen cramping...I get mine in my ribs and sometimes it gets so bad, that I look like I am just rustling around. My endo can't believe I am not going to the hospital with my levels being around 6.5. My PCP thinks that my parathyroid hasn't been working for longer than having it removed since it was being crushed from my thyroid. I take Rocaltrol for vitamin D and I also have a liquid I take (calcium carbonate...aka Milk of Magnesia). I don't take that as regular as the Rocaltrol because the taste of it bothers me. I also have a large supply of Tums handy.

 

[angwill]

I am just getting back into this thread...I have the issue of low blood calcium and I understand completely about leg and abdomen cramping...I get mine in my ribs and sometimes it gets so bad, that I look like I am just rustling around. My endo can't believe I am not going to the hospital with my levels being around 6.5. My PCP thinks that my parathyroid hasn't been working for longer than having it removed since it was being crushed from my thyroid. I take Rocaltrol for vitamin D and I also have a liquid I take (calcium carbonate...aka Milk of Magnesia). I don't take that as regular as the Rocaltrol because the taste of it bothers me. I also have a large supply of Tums handy.

Low calcium is very serious. From what I was told before my surgery is it can effect the heart muscle if it is too low. I am glad you are seeing someone for it and I hope they get those levels up. I take OTC calcium pills with vitamin D. Ask your doctor about taking tums as often as you do. I can't remember where I heard that it shouldn't be taken daily but it could be bad info too.

 

[1Grumpy9]

Low calcium is very serious. From what I was told before my surgery is it can effect the heart muscle if it is too low. I am glad you are seeing someone for it and I hope they get those levels up. I take OTC calcium pills with vitamin D. Ask your doctor about taking tums as often as you do. I can't remember where I heard that it shouldn't be taken daily but it could be bad info too.

When I left the hospital after my surgery taking 20 Tums a day...After I got on the meds, I just keep the Tums around for when I feel when I am low. I get a tingle in my cheeks and my thumbs will start tightening. My PCP thinks that my parathyroid was damaged way before my thyroid was taken out. When my endo checks me every 3 months she is amazed how my body has adapted.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

ang - how are things going? Thinking of you and sending you healing prayers and prayers for strength.

macraven - how was your trip? I am food obsessed so I like to hear where people eat etc.

singing mom - are you singing for christmas?

Christine - reading anything good. I am reading an amish christmas story. I won it on a blog and the author signed it for me! I also won 2 more books from goodreads that havent come yet. I have quite a few other in the tbr pile that i have won from blogs that I need to read.

Well on the good news front, ds3 got a job as a sub school nurse in our district. They only want him doing the middle, jr high and high school as each of those have 2 nurses on duty. The elementary schools only have 1 and they say he doesnt know all the rules and procedures yet. Then one of those nurses works at a pre school for physically challenged kids with trachs etc so he is going to call about that job as a sub too. Ds1 is still looking for a job and ds2 is still working and finishing up his contract job. My dh is back from seattle and calif. He took ds 2 with him for the seattle leg. Now he is going to Baltimore next week.

I am working on the disney trip. I booked the plane today and changed one adr. Next is the christmas party tickets and hotel.

Being the procrastinator that I am, I still need the bone scan and a flu shot.

Everyone check in when you can. Thinking of you all.

 

[angwill]

ang - how are things going? Thinking of you and sending you healing prayers and prayers for strength.

macraven - how was your trip? I am food obsessed so I like to hear where people eat etc.

singing mom - are you singing for christmas?

Christine - reading anything good. I am reading an amish christmas story. I won it on a blog and the author signed it for me! I also won 2 more books from goodreads that havent come yet. I have quite a few other in the tbr pile that i have won from blogs that I need to read.

Well on the good news front, ds3 got a job as a sub school nurse in our district. They only want him doing the middle, jr high and high school as each of those have 2 nurses on duty. The elementary schools only have 1 and they say he doesnt know all the rules and procedures yet. Then one of those nurses works at a pre school for physically challenged kids with trachs etc so he is going to call about that job as a sub too. Ds1 is still looking for a job and ds2 is still working and finishing up his contract job. My dh is back from seattle and calif. He took ds 2 with him for the seattle leg. Now he is going to Baltimore next week.

I am working on the disney trip. I booked the plane today and changed one adr. Next is the christmas party tickets and hotel.

Being the procrastinator that I am, I still need the bone scan and a flu shot.

Everyone check in when you can. Thinking of you all.

Hi LMP.

Thanks for asking about me. Had my radical hysterectomy Monday. I have a heck of a time breathing after anesthesia so was in for two nights instead of one. I did find out that abdominal surgery hurts a million times more than thyroid, unfortunatly. Then again I had no pain with my thyroid and went off pain meds 2 days after that surgery. I also have to give myself blood thinning shots twice a day and that stinks. The ride home over bumps was the worst of it. I am feeling better every day. Will need radiation at least but won't talk of anything else till after results are back. They found some white speckles on my pelvic wall and other organs and freaked thinking it was cancer spread but a quick pathology check showed no cancer so they are thinking possible past virus but won't know till results come back. So all in all I am still alive and feeling better every day so life is good.

I am reading the giver right now and really enjoying it.

That is so great that your son found a job even if it is temp. A school nurse job sound like the best hours in that field. I at one point worked as a sub aide in a special needs classroom with nurses that took care of kids with trechs and feeding tubes. I would help the nurse hold things and get them ready. How lucky he is to be part of such a supportive and loving family. Not everyone is so blessed. It also sounds like you are blessed to have such a responsible, loving son which also doesn't always happen.

Get that scan and flu shot over and out of the way so you don't have to worry about them.

Take care,
Angela

 

[Christine]

Good morning everyone! This thread has been quiet lately but thanks to LMP for checking. I always view it that if the thread is quiet, people are doing well.

angwill--glad that surgery is over. I've never had abdominal surgery but, I agree that I have heard it is the worst! I think *most* normal thyroidectomies are some of the easier surgeries but I think people really freak out about them because, after all, it is cutting your neck. Sounds worse than it is! I am hoping for a very good pathology report for you.

LMP--I have been reading a lot lately. I found a ton of books that were reviewed and rated well so I put them on hold at my library and, one by one, they are coming in. The bad part is when three of them come in and I have only three weeks to read them. Pitfulls of free books I guess!!

Nothing I've read stands out. They are just general fiction stuff. I do have the new Amy Poehler book on hold so I'm looking forward to a little comedy.

Healthwise I am doing okay and I don't see the endo until February. The only thing I've got going on is that for the last 3 weeks I have been sleeping HORRIBLY. I wake up every night around midnight (like clockwork) and I am HOT for hours. Not full-up hot flashes. Just hot. I've never been one to be a "hot" person but I am now. At 51, I assuming this is menopausal related. I've just never read about hours of being hot. It's weird. It keeps me up most of the night. Not sure what I"m going to do about it, though. Maybe start a menopause thread?

 

[SingingMom]

Good morning everyone! This thread has been quiet lately but thanks to LMP for checking. I always view it that if the thread is quiet, people are doing well. angwill--glad that surgery is over. I've never had abdominal surgery but, I agree that I have heard it is the worst! I think *most* normal thyroidectomies are some of the easier surgeries but I think people really freak out about them because, after all, it is cutting your neck. Sounds worse than it is! I am hoping for a very good pathology report for you. LMP--I have been reading a lot lately. I found a ton of books that were reviewed and rated well so I put them on hold at my library and, one by one, they are coming in. The bad part is when three of them come in and I have only three weeks to read them. Pitfulls of free books I guess!! Nothing I've read stands out. They are just general fiction stuff. I do have the new Amy Poehler book on hold so I'm looking forward to a little comedy. Healthwise I am doing okay and I don't see the endo until February. The only thing I've got going on is that for the last 3 weeks I have been sleeping HORRIBLY. I wake up every night around midnight (like clockwork) and I am HOT for hours. Not full-up hot flashes. Just hot. I've never been one to be a "hot" person but I am now. At 51, I assuming this is menopausal related. I've just never read about hours of being hot. It's weird. It keeps me up most of the night. Not sure what I"m going to do about it, though. Maybe start a menopause thread?

Christine- I am 52 and I am ALWAYS hot!!! I constantly wake up at 3am (not midnight because I'm still up at that time!) and strip. Lol. I have a fan on my nightstand and use it year round. Luckily my husband doesn't mind! I wear sleeveless clothes when I sing at church - all year round. I can't remember a time when I wasn't like this- first blamed on my "hot Italian blood", then thyroid,- only now it's worse due to perimenopause. @@. If we do end up retiring to Florida, I will probably live in the air conditioning in the summer months! Lol

LMP- yes, singing on Christmas Eve. . I sing a few times a month. I like our new director & he spaces the schedule out so I have a few masses that I can just sit in the congregation with my family and pray.

I am also an avid reader - but I read fluff. Lol. Romance, biography. Love to curl up with a good book - I spend my summer poolside with my books!

Went to endocrinologist a few weeks ago - she lowered my synthroid dosage to 100 mcg. She said after 22 years cancer-free, keeping my levels so suppressed will be more harmful to osteoporosis and heart disease. I just hope I don't go hypo.


Ang- praying for good results. Abdominal surgery is the worse to recover from. I always said 26 stitches across my neck was a picnic compared to my c-section!

Just made FP reservations for our January trip. Past three years we have been going to WDW instead of buying each other gifts we don't need. DD graduates college this May. We cherish the time together!

Stay well!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[branv]

I just had my thyroidectomy. Went very well, no complications,not much pain.

But bc I am just prone to weirdness, apparently, here's a new one: my thyroidectomy results are inconclusive! Same thing with FNA: suspicious nodule contained multiple hurthle cells with suspicious features (microfollilicular with nuclear enlargement, crowding), but had a big background of lymphocytes. The assumption was that the hurthle cells being in the presence of chronic thyroiditis was to be expected, the arrangement of them, however, was the suspicious part. Affirma couldn't rule anything out.

The pathology from the thyroidectomy showed no cancer in any other nodules or in any part of the thyroid or in the lymph nodes they removed. But pathology *still* can't rule out cancer within that one nodule. Which is confusing to me, bc I thought cancer was determined by how it acted. Either it has or hasn't tried to grow outside? How can you still not determine that? I've never heard of an inconclusive thyroidectomy!

So they've sent it on to Mayo for another opinion. I'm so ready to just know one way or the other. But also frustrated bc I don't know if I can at least assume that if they didn't find it anywhere else, if that means even if this is cancer it's micro or miniscule and at the very beginning? Or if I shouldn't breathe at least a little easier just yet.

Have you ever heard of this before? I'm baffled.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

branv - glad to hear your surgery is over but I am sure its hard waiting for the pathology results. Its good they are having it checked into further and you have it going to one of the best hosp. in the country! I did have to wait a while for my pathology report too because they never saw anything quite like mine either. It was acually the two tumors and the rare variant. So hang in there and wishing you all the best with the path results.

ang - how are you feeling? I hope your pain is manageable. I am sure you are anxious for your pathology report. I know stomach surgery is the worst.!! I think I am on my 7th one. 4 were right after my throidectomy when I had the emergency hernia and bowel resection. And these mesh repairs only last 10 years at the most so in 5 years or less I have to go through this all again. I am dreading it for sure. I was in the hosp. almost 3 days last time because my pain was uncontrolled. I finally had to go home with a scrip for just pain meds with not ylenol in it, just pure stuff I could take more often. Praying for youHang in there!

singing mom - sorry you had to change resorts, but I am sure you will have a great time.

I finished booking the vacation yest. Did 2 reservations for the Swan and ordered the mvmcp tickets. At least I saved some money by cashing in dh ff miles for 3 nights of the hotel for free and then I also cashed in my southwest points to get one way free for me. Dh hasnt had a vacation since march and I sure hope he doesnt try to cancel on me. I told him I will just go myself. I am sure one of the ds will be happy to hop on board and come too.

In the book I am reading the girl keeps talking about her hair coming out and always feeling tired. Hmm, I will laugh if they say she has a thyroid problem

 

[FireflyTrance]

I was just thinking today how tired I felt, probably due to my hypothyroidsim, and saw this thread and decided to post. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidsim back in 2012 while I was pregnant, and have been on medication ever since. Lately I am back to feeling tired and foggy-headed so I think my medication may need to be adjusted. Anyway just wanted to say hi, and I will post more in the future

 

[angwill]

BranV, wow that would be so frustration to have an inconclusive diagnosis. I have read that spread means it went into and/or through the little section that connects both sides of the thyroid. I do hope Mayo can solve the puzzle and I hope it is in your favor. Mine was papillary tall cell variant and just one huge tumor all encapsulated thank God.

LMP, You know all the worst pain was intestinal/gas and it hurt like hell and pain med couldn't touch it. Since the intestinal pain passed after that first week I am rarely taking the pain meds and feel really good. Still recovering and have restrictions for 6 weeks but it is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I do hate having to give myself 2 shots a day of the blood thinner to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis that is common when they do major abdominal surgery. Had to cut and cauterize a lot of veins, arteries, and such. I tell you one thing I am so extemely happy that I don't have to be in hypohell after surgery like with the thyroid.

Sadly, my results came back worse than they thought with a really big tumor like with my thyroid and deep roots making it very likely to come back so I am on to 6 weeks 5 days a week of radiation. This cancer sucks because it is so invasive. I am a modest person so I have lost a lot of my dignity. There is a ton more information about this cancer than thyroid and it gets a lot more respect. Thyroid cancer should really be treated in a cancer center where everyone is so understanding and caring and you get a ton of support in every way. Breast cancer gets the most respect and recongition of them all though. I really am getting so much more information and the specialists are so much more knowledgeable about it than my endo that specializes in diabetes not thyroid cancer.

FireflyTrance, You know your body best and if you feel your thyroid is not right I will bet your right. I hope your doctor can get it regulated better for you so you have more energy.

 

[macraven]

so sorry your results turned out they way they did.

prayers for you.

 

[SingingMom]

Ang- keep your positive attitude and fight. Sounds like you are getting good information & support. Praying for a full recovery!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[angwill]

Thank you. It is but a bump in my road. I keep telling myself that.