<p>How did it go, Mansfield? I hope you are feeling fine!</p>
<p>Update: I had the biopsy on Friday. The ultrasound tech and the interventional radiologist were wonderful. 2 nodules were biopsied in 3 places each. They talked me through the whole procedure and it wasn’t too bad. I had what felt like a sore throat, swollen glands, and stiff neck for a few days. Of course, medically I really didn’t have those symptoms, but it only felt that way because of all the poking and prodding in that area. The doctor called last night and everything is benign. Thank goodness. The doctor does want me to see an endocrinologist to monitor my thyroid in the future. </p>
<p>Thanks so much for all your knowledge and support.</p>
<p>Good News! Thanks for the update -</p>
<p>GREAT news! Glad to hear everything is okay.</p>
<p>Honestly, it always seems (to me) that the anticipation of medical tests is worse than the tests themselves…</p>
<p>Please, folks, do not let concerns about the biopsy keep you from getting a nodule or enlarged thyroid biopsied!!! I am a complete medical chicken down to the point of fearing standard blood tests. My skinny needle biopsy was a big deal emotionally, but objectively, was not painful and did not result in bruising or later pain. I think that the trick might be to have someone who does these biopsies all the time perform the procedure. (A doctor who is a specialist in thyroid cancer is a good bet for this.) With some common types of thyroid cancer, the sooner you catch it, the younger you are, and the smaller the tumor, the better the prognosis – so if you find something, do not wait! (And there are some forms of this cancer that are so treatable with such high percentage cure rates, it seems almost miraculous. But you can’t have it cured until you have the biopsy and deal with it.)</p>
<p>As I’ve said previously, I am a big medical chicken. However, I am very conscientious about taking care of myself medically. My mammograms, colonoscopies, even basic dental appointments are usually scheduled for the first available date the insurance company will allow. I know I flip out over these things, but I also know that I would be far more distraught if the news was bad and I hadn’t attended to it in time. </p>
<p>I am also very grateful that most of my doctors now understand my fears. Friday’s medical team was so understanding and informative. I’ve had my fair share of doctors who basically told me to “suck it up.” Needless to say, I’ve left their practice. Good old-fashioned bedside manner goes a long way towards helping us confront and deal with medical realities.</p>
<p>Great news. And good for you for getting it done despite being worried about it. I get nervous right before my mammogram even though I’ve never had a bad one. It is stressful.</p>
<p>Mansfield – I didn’t mean to imply that you were putting it off, and I’m so happy that you had such a good result!!!</p>
<p>Thanks for the update. I am really glad to hear your okay and like the advice about no “suck it up doctors”!</p>
<p>YAY! I am so happy for your good news!!!</p>
<p>OOPS…didn’t see the update before I posted…glad your results were benign…and that my advice below is in agreement with your docs…good luck!</p>
<p>Is all this coming from your GP/Internal Medicine Doc?</p>
<p>If so, highly recommend seeing an Endocrinologist for a second opinion. I have had a nodule for about five years now being closely watched, regular sonograms and biopsies…so far so good…last visit the nodule had grown significantly and is now more than double what it was when first found.</p>
<p>Due to childhood radiation therapy (like that of Roger Ebert), Endocrinologist has recommended completely removing the thyroid. I recently met with an Endocrine surgeon at UTSouthwestern Med school for a second opinion and she concurred. Only real downside (other than risk of surgery) is being on thyroid meds for the rest of my life but since I already am the only thing that would change is dosage. My DS who is a third year Med student at UTSW concurs as well so surgery it will be. </p>
<p>anxiousmom, teriwitt… I also have been there, done that…not the most fun I’ve ever had for sure…worst part was trying hard to not swallow as they were poking the needle biopsy around…told him next time (if there was one) he had to give me a Valium first…;)</p>
<p>Wish I’d seen this thread earlier Mansfield. I’m so glad that everything turned out well for you - it usually does. 95% - 99% of the time the nodules are benign. (Different numbers on the net)</p>
<p>I was in the 1% - 5%. I am fine and cancer free - yes thyroid cancer is usually easily curable. </p>
<p>For anyone else reading in the future…</p>
<p>I have unusual swelling to local anesthesia, so I asked if they could do the biopsy without it, and they complied. I traded one anesthesia shot for 3 pokes. I really didn’t mind and my neck felt fine after the procedure - I got a funky (regular size) band-aid to wear the rest of the day. I also had my biopsy done at the hospital, in the hospital lab.</p>
<p>My advice to anyone faced with this diagnosis is to get to an endocrinologist, DO NOT stay with a family/general practitioner for this. Many times the family docs have not kept up with the field and will recommend tests that will increase your future risk of thyroid cancer and will not give you the information that a simple ultrasound will. This has happened to 2 of my friends, luckily they were able to stop the tests and get to an endocrinologist who did things a bit differently and saved them unnecessary tests and risks. One had cancer, the other didn’t.</p>
<p>There are different forms of thyroid cancer, but the 2 most common are very curable - papillary and follicular. The type of cancer (anaplastic) Judge Rehnquist died of is relatively rare. And the cancer that Roger Ebert has struggled with is not thyroid cancer, even though early reports stated it as such. I believe it was salivary gland cancer.</p>
<p>A good website for this stuff is: [url=<a href=“http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid-cancer/thyroid-cancer]Thyroid”>http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid-cancer/thyroid-cancer]Thyroid</a> cancer: diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.<a href=“this%20is%20the%20cancer%20part%20of%20site,%20but%20the%20other%20parts,%20of%20the%20site,%20on%20the%20thyroid,%20in%20general,%20and%20benign%20nodules%20are%20good%20too”>/url</a></p>
<p>Oh for me, the worst part of surgery - the Queen Anne collar I had to try to sleep in after surgery…</p>
<p>If anyone has questions about this, feel free to PM me. I did a lot of research and have bumped into many people that have struggled with nodules, and the follow-up. I also have a wonderful endocrinologist that I continue seeing.</p>