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 found out that I had Thyroid Cancer just before my 26th birthday which is in March and then I had a total thyroidectomy April 7th 2016. It was a whirlwind, it still feels a little like a dream and like it didn't happen until I see my scar and of course I am reminded that it happened every single morning when I have to take my Synthroid. Everything happened so quickly that I couldn't really process it and I am still having an incredibly hard time processing the entire thing. I am angry. I am angry that I am 100% depedent on the healthcare system for the rest of my life now. I try not to take medication unless it is completely necessary, in this case obviously it is but I struggle with it almost every day. They say I have to take this pill every day and "its no big deal" I have to take it to stay alive essentially but it's a horrible feeling. How is it "no big deal" to have to administer a synthetic hormone controlling substance in my body every day? I know in the grand scheme of life it really is not that big of a deal but I have been so fixated on this and I am having such a hard time letting it go. I feel like everything was forced onto me and I didn't have anytime to think, there was just action and before I knew it I was in the hospital post surgery just crushed. No one in my life seems to understand how hard this is for me, their thoughts are that it needed to be done so now it is done and we can move on. But I cannot move on. Maybe this is silly? It wasn't about just "getting it out" for me it feels like such an invasion of my body and my life. Does anyone else feel this way or have any advice?
I was just diagnosed Monday with papillary thyroid cancer. I'm upset and angry just like how you are feeling. I am very much of a person who would rather live a holistic life rather than taking medication unless absolutely needed. The idea of being dependent on a medication for survival is terrifying to me. I just made an appt for next Thursday with the endocrine surgeon at UCLA. I have to see what they are wanting to do but more than likely to remove my thyroid conpletely.
Found out I had swollen thyroid by getting MRI for neck pain. Sent to endocrinologist.
One week later, ultrasound, another week, biopsy. Cancer. Sent to surgeon.
Only saw endo and surgeon once before surgery this week (2/2/17), been kind of dealing with this on my own. Total thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection. They had to take it all.
This all happened within 6 weeks, going from normal day to day to now relying on daily pill for the rest of my life. What???
Don't know what to expect, what to feel, how to respond to questions. Just kind of waiting for the breakdown to happen.
BTW, anger is my dominant emotion right now.