Thyroid Cancer Support Group
Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. There are four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. If you or anyone you know and love is affected by thyroid cancer, join this community to lean on the support and experiences of others.
I'm freaking out a bit
I'm 32 weeks pregnant. I also have a 4 year old. I saw an endo for gestational diabetes. While I was there, he said he felt a thyroid nodule. I went for a thyroid ultrasound. I was told I have multiple nodules and the endo is concerned about 1 that is measuring 1". I have to schedule a biopsy. I asked him if there was anything other than the size that was concerning and didn't quite get an answer...
Is that big? Is that a sign of cancer?
I just have lots of worst case scenarios in my head right now...and w 2 little ones I'm freaking out a bit n
I'm 32 weeks pregnant. I also have a 4 year old. I saw an endo for gestational diabetes. While I was there, he said he felt a thyroid nodule. I went for a thyroid ultrasound. I was told I have multiple nodules and the endo is concerned about 1 that is measuring 1". I have to schedule a biopsy. I asked him if there was anything other than the size that was concerning and didn't quite get an answer...
Is that big? Is that a sign of cancer?
I just have lots of worst case scenarios in my head right now...and w 2 little ones I'm freaking out a bit n
so. first of all, glad they found it. second, the best place for reliable research is www.thyca.org. and by now I am sure you have looked up and read that there are 4 kinds of thyroid cancer, and the first two are very recoverable...reading old posts you will see that some of our survivors have had their surgery over 30 years ago. I had mine 8 years ago. SOOOOO even if you have a biopsy now, they will probably tell you that you can wait if you have to have surgery. It sounds scary, to slit your throat, but my personal recovery was really good. getting my meds to the right dosage took me the longest. DON"T fall prey to crazy internet pseudo science.
and thyca has support groups too. and some idiot will tell you it is a good cancer to have....suggest to them that THEY can have it.
Don't panic; I know you don't need one more thing on your plate right now, but this can be managed. you can have only one day in the hospital if you have to have surgery. i live very comfortably without my thyroid. SO, worry about the pregnancy issues first. and learn about later in life diabetes reoccurances for yourself....then follow doctor's orders on the thyroid.
I wish you a fast and easy delivery with the baby.
I had my biopsy today. The doctor who did it decided to biopsy 2 nodules. He did bring up that if we were looking at cancer, he would still recommend my breastfeeding and looking at surgery and treatments after that. I've been trying not to read too much. I feel
a bit calmer about things...but every few days I have a bit of an anxiety attack about it all. I'll be glad to have some answers.
Hope yours is the same.
SO- breastfeeding. I was told that in most cases, if the woman is pregnant or breastfeeding that they do not look to treat until afterwards...most papillary and follicular cancers can wait. Mentally? you may want it out sooner rather than later, but in my reading, that is what I believe I learned.
The biggest thing is that if you do have the thyroid out, and you do have it suggested for radiation pill...you can't hold the baby for a couple of days. That would be the hard part. no pets either. They do NOT suggest going to a hotel, but I have to say, maybe dad would have to take the babe for a couple of days on a small vacation...because that would be really difficult.
I hope you will let me know what happens...I will be thinking good thoughts for you. meanwhile, enjoy your baby and breastfeeding...and yes, try to keep calm. hope for the best, be prepared for the worst. It is all manageable- and if the other two kinds of thyroid cancer were what you were dealing with? the doctor would already have you in the hospital...so at least so far, good or ok news. dr sounds like their head is on straight.
keep in touch.
I'm not sure how I'll feel about waiting. This will be my last baby...and I'd really like to BF and not have to leave the baby or my other daughter for any period of time. But I also don't want to risk my life at all...
So if it were an aggressive form, they'd already know? He did say something like there's nothing he sees that would indicate it is aggressive.
He also said that if it were one of the in between diagnosis (the 2 abnormal ones but not benign or malignant) that the hospital I'm being seen at can do more analysis to determine more information on it as some of the doctors there are doing research on it. So I guess that may be promising.
I know waiting is hard, but I read something somewhere that said SOMETHING like, now that we diagnose it so so much, they are finding that some people have it for years and die of something else and it is only found when they look....some is slow growing.
Me? I wanted it OUT.
but if you have indeterminate findings...repeat tests, wait, and when the bf is over...then do the partial thyroidectomy....and tell them if they do find it is cancerous, take the whole thing out ...(rather than going thru it a second time for the other half, six weeks later---as they offered me!)...
If they aren't worried? you don't have to be. That is good news. Yes, you want to take care of your health so you can be around to raise your kids....but don't let worry rob you of your joy. Best to you and the babes!
I found out it was benign--both tested benign. I go back in a year for another ultrasound.
Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy and nursing....
and just know to keep the information accessible so you are always prepared....
I am so very happy for you!
Big hugs!