Update on me and my medical thing....long

12106mrsmun

As I posted below, I need to wean due to a medical condition.  So, here's the scoop.

At my yearly well-woman exam, my OB/GYN pretty much freaked at how much weight I've lost since giving birth.  I've always been pretty thin and have a history of having a hard time gaining weight and losing weight rapidly, but I've really hit an all time drastic low.  They tested my thyroid and it came back normal...slightly elevated, but within normal range....as it has been since my 20's (I'm 41 now and have had it tested every 10 years, when I go through a "big" weight loss).  I just assumed that it was due to BF'ing and the stress of having a difficult baby early on. 

Also at that exam, she palpated my thyroid gland and told me she thought it was enlarged, so she referred me to an internist.  The internist sent me for a thyroid u/s and chest x-ray.  They tech spent over 30 minutes on the u/s and didn't utter a word the entire time....m'kay....scary sign #1.  Tech's are usually super-chatty, right?  The second scare came when the person doing my x-ray asked several questions about my history of cancer and if I'd ever had radiation on my thyroid.

About a week later, the doc called me to discuss the results...it's never a good sign when the doc calls you personally, is it?!  Anyway, my thyroid isn't just enlarged....it's severely enlarged, plus it has multiple suspicious nodules growing on it.  The easiest test to do is to have a scan with radioactive contrast, but that means that I'd have to pump and dump for a week or so....but the recommendation is to have surgery to have it completely removed and biopsied to see if any of the nodules are cancerous.

I'm opting for the surgery.  I've already tested negative for a few different tumor markers...those being the worst of the adrenal and thyroid cancers...so yay for that.  The plus side is that nodules are very common and could be nothing, but the size of my thyroid alone is concerning.  From my research, most thyroid cancers are cured with surgery alone, but some do require taking a radioactive pill that would require me to be in isolation for about a week or so, in order to not expose anyone to radiation.....hehe..um, hello...8 month old that only wants Mommy at night!!!

The surgery is not without possible complications....nerve damage to my larynx (voice-box), being the major one.  Ugh....what a messy mess this is! 

Anyway, if you made it this far, then I think you have the patience of a saint!!  And of course, thank you all so much for your support, love and prayers....please keep them coming.  I'll keep you updated as I know more.

schmoodle

I'm so sorry, sweetie, I'm sure this is very scary to go through, not to mention the strain of not being able to care for your sweet little girl in the way you're accustomed. Just wanted to say, if it's any help, that a close friend of mine went through this a few years ago, only I think they actually gave her a cancer diagnosis (at least tentatively) but after having her thyroid removed (with zero complications) the nodes/thyroid were determined to be non-cancerous and she has been completely healthy since. Best of luck and we're all thinking of you.

JillRock96

I'm so sorry that you are dealing with this!  I'm glad that they were able to rule out some of the more serious types of cancer -- that is a wonderful sign.  I hope that everything goes ok.  You'll be in my prayers.  Keep us updated when you can!

gabbeyh

oh no, please keep us updated.  I hope the surgery goes well and all is good in the end.  I'm sorry you had to give up BF.

cjsbdl

I'm sorry you're dealing with this.  A friend of mine went through a thyroid cancer scare a couple of years ago, and all turned out to be fine. I hope you get good news.  We'll be thinking about you.

iluvtom

I just wanted to say good luck and I hope everything is ok.  I am sending you lots of prayers and hope that all goes well

LucyPevensie

Oh Fran - what a roller coaster.  One step at a time, you sound like you are handling this very well, and making smart decisions.  Thinking of you and sending you POSITIVE vibes!

ela81

I'm sorry. I'm sure this is very scary for you. I hope you don't have to stay away from your baby for 8 days/nights. I hope everything turns out okay. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

MewMew

Oh this is so scary. When is the surgery? Do you know yet? I'm sending you my best.

skoorbnibor

I am glad you got all the facts and were able to make a decision. I think you are making the right one,  and as always, we are always here for you!

 

TheSkimmy

I'm so sorry... I knew it had to be something big... and well this SUCKS!! I'm glad some of your tests have come back for the positive but surgery is still scary and so it the unknown.

I am ALWAYS here for you and if there is ANYTHING I can do please let me know. If you just want to call me on the phone and cry- I can listen. Or if you want to call and I talk for hours and you just listen- I can do that!! You will get through this and hopefully soon!

 

xoxo! Prayers said!

DavezWife

wishing you all the best!

ps - every tech I know never talks, lol.

Christakim

Wow, what a lot of information to take in for you!  I'm so sorry that you had to wean before you were ready.  I think you are making the best decision for you and your family.  Your baby deserves to have a healthy mom.

  Please keep us updated and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

alchris

Oh my goodness, I've been thinking of you a bunch and will so even more now.  How scary, especially for a mommy of a little one.  Please keep us posted.  Many hugs and my very, very best wishes!!!

Stephanie Dey

Hey,I have had the thyroid surgery due to a large nodule on the right lobe.  I have also done the uptake and scan which really doesn't require isolation.  Also, I have done the radiation iodine ablation.  4 years after being diagnosed and having the thyroid tumor removed I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease which is autoimmune hyperthyroidism.  I would suggest doing the uptake and scan. If anything it does help with diagnosing hot and cold nodules and gives you a good idea if the nodules are hot or cold (hot is usually non-cancerous and cold are more commonly cancerous).  The doc is right that they would know more with a pathology report after surgery, but the surgery can be very difficult to recover from.  You will have a hard time keeping your head up for extended periods of time after the muscles are all stretched out.  The radiation iodine ablation for me was very difficult.  Both times I was treated I was severely hyperthyroid with my TSH with the tumor before surgery getting as low as 0.02 and with the Grave's it was 0.08.  If you have any specific questions please let me know.  You can PM me or email me at stephyleeann at hotmail dot com .  I always suggest that anyone who is new to thyroid problems also look at  www.thyroid.about.com.  I have had all the tests, done the different treatments and if I can help in anyway I am here. Good Luck.

kristinamh6

'm sorry you are going through this. Cancer is a very scary thing, but it sounds like you are doing what you have to do and handling it well. That's great news that you tested negative for different tumor markers. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers, and hope that it turns out to be just a scare. We are always here to listen if you need us.

jlc071903

I am so so sorry to hear this. Ironically, my stepmom is having surgery for the EXACT same thing next week....that is slightly odd. Please keep us posted and let us know when you're having surgery, etc. YOu and your family will be in my prayers...if you want I can keep you updated on my stepmom as well.

Carrie25

I am so sorry you're going through this.  I know it's so hard to go through something like this.  There are so many women with thyroid issues and everything turns out fine.  I will be saying prayers for you! 

mrspresley

i think everyone already hit it on the nail - don't stress too much - it's probably fine and even if it is cancerous, surgery is curative.  sorry you might have to be away from DD though

epphd

Sending you TONS of get well vibes - hoping for the smoothest of all possible recoveries!

here4u

That is a lot to take in, I'm sorry.  Two people I work with had thyroid issues. One has nodules, and they are just monitoring it, has been this way for years.  The other one had thyroid cancer and had the radiation and had to be in seclusion for a week. You can barely see her scar now.   I hope that its nothing serious, and you don't have to spend time away from beautiful Caroline!

wvagirl

I hope everything goes well with the surgery.  And you're 100% in a flash. Hang in there Fran.

laura&dan05

I'm so sorry you are going through this!!  I'm sure you must be scared and worried.  It sounds like surgery is the best option and that you are on the right track to getting better.  I'm sure it will be rough to be away from your sweet little girl but you know it is what is best for her in the long run.  Please keep us updated and take care!  ((HUGS))

manda429

lots of prayers that everything is OK - please take care - i will be thinking of you

pamela-matt

I am so sorry you are going through this. ?Sounds like you are getting some very good care and have docs that really want to stay on top of this. ?Will continue to pray that all goes well and that this is nothing

lolalillie

I pray that everything is okay and I am so sorry that you are going through this. I cannot imagine how scared you must be. Please take care and keep us posted!

Ms. Y.

Yes - not something you want to be going through with an 8 month old at home! Fran, I am so sorry you have to deal with all of this. Keep us updated with everything -

Thinking of you!

Crista

alison43

Wow that is so scary.  I hope the surgery goes well and all the nodules turn out to be benign.

Good luck!

MrsACT1

I am so sorry you are dealing with this.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

yankee42

oh Fran...im so sorry you are dealing with this. how stressful, on top of a not so stress free life right now ?

i know other people have told you their experience, and of those around them..

My SIL had the EXACT same thing happen, they removed her thyroid and tested everything and all actually turned out clear..she was still happy to have it gone, and to know everything was fine. She will just have to take medication for the rest of her life.

I, myself had a scare a few years back..with a nodule in my thyroid..and had u/s's and the contrast study...so far everything is fine, but they continue to monitor it for growth.

lady..im praying for you that everything goes perfectly, and you get this out of the way and are able to move on.

Thinking of you, and I'm always here..?

Jem04

I am sorry you are going through this.  I had surgery when I was 17 because they thought I had an issue with my parathyroid gland.  When they opened me up, they saw that my parathyroid gland (which should be the size of a pinhead) had grown a tumor and was the size of a walnut.  Fortunately, they removed it early and it was benign, and I haven't had any issues since.  It sounds like they are watching you carefully, and I think it's great they are ready to take action quickly.  You need to stay healthy for your LO.  Good luck!!!!

Mrs.OL

I am so sorry that you are going through this.  I know it must be difficult to be in isolation for a week, but it is obviously the best thing for you and your DD.  I hope sugery goes well and that you are back to yourself in no time!  Take care of yourself!

trr8203

Fran, I am so so sorry that you're having to go through this right now.  I hope that the surgery takes care of the problem and that it's not cancer.  I'll be thinking of you and be sure to let us know if there's anything we can do for you.  Take care of yourself and that beautiful little Caroline!

SeaSoul

Wow, I am so sorry to hear this and I can only imagine how scary it is, and upsetting for so many reasons including having to wean and possibly spend extended time away from DD!  But I'm glad for the good news of the negative tests and hope you get lots more good news along the way and that the worst of it is behind you before you know it.

TheShellSeeker

Oh my goodness....how scary!  I am sending you good thoughts and prayers that the surgery goes well and that you heal quickly. 

roaringrock

oh no!!! that's terrible news. I'm so sorry honey.

do you have a date set for the surgery? I'm sending tons and tons of healing vibes your way.

 

RoxBride

I'm sorry you are going through this.  I hope you can take care of the problem without too much trauma to your young family.

MarcyIam

Oh wow, that's a lot to go through all at once!  I wanted to wish you luck and continued positive results!

JGirl2005

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this.  I hope it is nothing major.  Please keep us updated. 

emmyloustu

I am so sorry you are going through this. How scary it must be. As pp have said, having nodules or your thyroid removed can be very routine surgery. My mom was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a few years back and had it removed, the surgery was just a few hours long, recovery was reasonable, radiation was not needed, the scar is tiny & she has not had any problems since. Just curious, did you get a 2nd opinion or do you plan to before surgery?

I wish you nothing but the best! I will be thinking of you!

MrsU

I'm so sorry to hear about your condition, I hope you can take a moment to look at some information that I have come across due to a woman named Stephanie who has a similar story to yours.

 I feel strangely like it is my "duty" to pass this information on to you and hope that it may help you.

 Please visit https://iodine4health.com and learn as much on that site as possible.  If you decide to join the group, Stephanie is the moderator and can answer any questions you might have about surgery, cancer, anything.  She is great and knows so much about what you will go through.

 Good luck!