Daughter with thyroid mass

[KeithC]

My daughter was found to have mass on her thyroid and they did a needle biopsy.
Yesterday the receptionist at her Dr. office called and told her she can't tell her exactly what the results were since she's not a Dr. but her Dr. recommended an appointment with an EENT.

She also said something along the lines that there was "some concern" but that was all she could say. So since last night my daughter has been worried to death. My wife and I too. She's going in today to her Dr. for a consultation about results.
I guess they have to do it this way but why call with that type of "info" only to lead her to worry all night. I'm pissed that the Dr. didn't call. But what do I know.

She is 29 and married with 3 kids and I am now really worried about her.

I did some reading up and although well over 90% of thyroid masses are not malignant the ones that are can vary quite a bit on prognosis depending on what "type" it is.

Anyway, I was hoping for some info from those that might have dealt with this or any of our good medical type persons around here with some insight.
And of course some TGP mojo.

Thanks

[mojocaster.com]

Feeling for you all.

I agree,these calls shouldn't call form the darn receptionist - with all due respect said receptionist. They should come from the doc. It's unconscionable.

Wishing you all the best!

[Shamus]

Man, I'm pulling for good news. Hang in there.

[enigma]

My wife had a malignant thyroid gland taken out when she was in her 20's. It's one of the more treatable cancers out there when diagnosed and taken care of early. She's been on synthroid since then, and is fine. My aunt also went through a similar surgery, and she is fine now. I can understand all of your anxieties and concerns, but don't worry. The medicine is on your side. I pray for the best for your daughter!

[EricPeterson]

Prayers and Mojo sent.

[KeithC]

Thanks to all especially enigma with the first hand success stories.

[bluesdoc]

This will almost certainly turn out well, but yeah, it's a terrible way to run a practice. And no surprise either (ie, low common denominator in today's medical care/art).... :(

jon

[frickengruvin]

Keep calm and collected while awaiting word...As Tom Petty said "The Waiting is the hardest part"!
Best of wishes..I guarantee everything will work out!

[Tuck]

I'm sorry I have no info, but sending prayers your way.

I'd have her look into another doctor as well. At least have a nurse call, not a receptionist. That's pretty tacky and unprofessional.

[eddie101]

My daughter was found to have mass on her thyroid and they did a needle biopsy.
Yesterday the receptionist at her Dr. office called and told her she can't tell her exactly what the results were since she's not a Dr. but her Dr. recommended an appointment with an EENT.

She also said something along the lines that there was "some concern" but that was all she could say. So since last night my daughter has been worried to death. My wife and I too. She's going in today to her Dr. for a consultation about results.
I guess they have to do it this way but why call with that type of "info" only to lead her to worry all night. I'm pissed that the Dr. didn't call. But what do I know.

She is 29 and married with 3 kids and I am now really worried about her.

I did some reading up and although well over 90% of thyroid masses are not malignant the ones that are can vary quite a bit on prognosis depending on what "type" it is.

Anyway, I was hoping for some info from those that might have dealt with this or any of our good medical type persons around here with some insight.
And of course some TGP mojo.

Thanks

So sorry to hear that but you have no facts at this point in time so worrying ain't going to help you or your daughter. Prayers coming your way. Hang in there and keep us posted. Best, Ed

[Quantum Cat]

Keith, part of my job is to talk to the thyroid patients who are getting radiation treatments. By the time they get to me, they usually have had their thyroid removed and the radiation is used to kill any remaining thyroid tissue. As radiation treatments go, it's not that bad. They just take a pill and go home in most cases.

I'll be following this thread, if it gets to the point where radiation is part of the treatment, I may be able to contribute. Prayers and Mojo.

[smallbutmighty]

KeithC: I had thyroid cancer in my late 20's. I went through the needle biopsy and stuff, just like your daughter. Just hearing the "C" word is tough, but if you have to have it thyroid cancer is the kind to have. It is very treatable.

Things will be tough for a while. Surgery, recovery, and the radiated iodine treatments are all difficult and weird. However, the most difficult part for me was the period of time between losing my thyroid and being put on Synthroid. It was several weeks of exhaustion and intense, frightening dreams every night to the point where I didn't want to even sleep for fear of more dreams. Eventually I got Synthroid, and after a few months of blood tests found the proper dosage.

Now everything is 15 years in my rear view mirror. I wouldn't want to do it again, but now I know without a doubt that I could if I needed to.

So can your daughter.

[KeithC]

Well, she got back from her appointment and the Dr. said it is cancerous.

I'm just in shock. This all just came about over the course of days. But I am so glad her Dr. decided to look more in to it and didn't just say that it was probably nothing since her thyroid numbers are OK.

I'm afraid from what my daughter said that hers is one of the worst kinds as far as thyroid cancer goes. Although the Dr. said it was found early and it usually is a very curable cancer.

She goes early Friday morning to an EENT for consultation and I guess we will find out about surgery etc.

Quantum Cat, I appreciate your first hand knowledge on this and any info you can provide me.

We are in Oklahoma in a pretty small market health care wise. My wife is adamant about her going to a "better" place for treatment etc. Her Dr. said she might end up in OKC depending on whether the local Dr. (he is good BTW) will want to handle it here.

Anyway, I appreciate all the kind words, info and prayers and mojo.
It really does help to vent on this crap.

[KeithC]

KeithC: I had thyroid cancer in my late 20's. I went through the needle biopsy and stuff, just like your daughter. Just hearing the "C" word is tough, but if you have to have it thyroid cancer is the kind to have. It is very treatable.

Things will be tough for a while. Surgery, recovery, and the radiated iodine treatments are all difficult and weird. However, the most difficult part for me was the period of time between losing my thyroid and being put on Synthroid. It was several weeks of exhaustion and intense, frightening dreams every night to the point where I didn't want to even sleep for fear of more dreams. Eventually I got Synthroid, and after a few months of blood tests found the proper dosage.

Now everything is 15 years in my rear view mirror. I wouldn't want to do it again, but now I know without a doubt that I could if I needed to.

So can your daughter.

You added this while I was typing!
I really appreciate it.

[semi-hollowbody]

Thank god it was found early and it is very treatable...I cant begin to imagine what your going through, or your daughter...she has to be worried sick about her health, her kids future, her husband...thats a LOT to take

Even though medicine, todays technology, and the treatability is on your side, I will wish you all the luck anyways (cant hurt)...im sure this will work out! Stay positive..

[Telecaster62]

My sister in law had what is considered the worst kind of thyroid cancer. She had it removed and did the radiation and now just takes medication. It's been 4 years and she is doing fine. I hope your daughter has an equally good outcome.

[bluesdoc]

My next-door neighbor's daughter got thyroid cancer in her early 20s, a few years ago. She went through all the treatments, did well, went on to become an RN and is now happily expecting her first child. Mostly, these work out well. Good thing about the thyroid is that, being so close to the surface of the body, it's easier to detect lumps sooner, greatly increasing the odds of cure. Best of luck, Keith, to her and your family.

jon

[KeithC]

My next-door neighbor's daughter got thyroid cancer in her early 20s, a few years ago. She went through all the treatments, did well, went on to become an RN and is now happily expecting her first child. Mostly, these work out well. Good thing about the thyroid is that, being so close to the surface of the body, it's easier to detect lumps sooner, greatly increasing the odds of cure. Best of luck, Keith, to her and your family.

jon

Thanks. I am trying to find out and hope that it isn't the anaplastic type. From what I have read it is not very curable. But again from what she said her Dr. gave her good hope.

[plaintopper]

This will almost certainly turn out well, but yeah, it's a terrible way to run a practice. And no surprise either (ie, low common denominator in today's medical care/art).... :(

jon

I agree, but in some respect today's medical care consumer is getting exactly what it wanted (until something goes wrong, of course). It has been turned into a business with a business mentality because consumer feedback has been quite clear. Patients, in general, now seem to value availability and convienience over personal, long term doctor-patient relationships. In growing numbers, they are viewing healthcare merely as a commodity and doctors merely as service providers.

So this kind of thing is only going to get more common, IMO. My wife is a pediatrician, and the administration of her very large university run group seems to care very little about whether docs see their own patients and develop the kind of long-term ties that used to happen. They just want efficiency, which means everybody sees everybody else's patients. A percentage of patients will insist on seeing my wife and are willing to wait a bit to be fit into a very busy schedule, but most of them are more than happy to see a different partner every time as long as they get immediate gratification with the appointment.

To the OP, hoping all the best for your daughter.

[Franklin]

Prayers for your daughter and grandkids Kieth!

[Eugene]

All the best for a speedy recovery for your daughter. Good luck!

[KeithC]

Thanks again.

I just found out the "a" word the Dr. used was just atypical and NOT anaplastic. That is good news at least.

[bluesdoc]

Thanks again.

I just found out the "a" word the Dr. used was just atypical and NOT anaplastic. That is good news at least.

Yes, a world of difference :aok

jon

[DavidG]

God bless, Keith. Prayers sent to you guys, and hope everything turns out great... I know it will!!

Doc found a nodule on my thyroid my last cat scan. Went and had a ultra sound and the doc didn't seemed to worried about it, but said we'd look at it every three, four months.

Good luck and keep us posted. I have a 29 yr old daughter too, and can't imagine what you guys are going through.

Best
David g

[DWB1960]

Missed this. Best of luck Keith.

[Structo]

My wife just got done with her treatment for papillary thyroid cancer.
It is one of the most treatable cancers.
Hers was at stage four with a 4 cm mass.

It was a fluke how they found it.
She had an appointment with a Rheumatologist for some arthritis in her hands.
He felt her neck and felt nodules on her thyroid.
So he referred her to an Endocrinologist.

The moved forward on this very quickly and she had surgery within a week or so.
She had her thyroid gland completely removed along with some lymph nodes on the right side.
The nerve that controls your voice box runs down through the thyroid there and the surgeon said he had a tough time taking the tissue out surrounding it.
If that nerve gets damaged or cut, you don't talk anymore so we were nervous about that going in.

About a month after surgery she had to go to the hospital where they administered the radioactive iodine isotope capsule which is used to kill the remaining thyroid cells.

It's pretty neat how it works.
It will seek out any thyroid cells even if they have traveled away from the throat.
She had to stay in the hospital three days.
Sometimes you can do it at home but our home was too small because you totally have to segregate her from everybody else including pets.

She had a scan done about a month after treatment and it was good, no spread of cancer.

The doctor told us if you are going to get cancer this is the one to get as it has about a 99% cure rate.

I'm sure your daughter will be OK as young as she is.

Prayers sent for comfort and healing.

[bluesjuke]

Prayers for good care & healing as well as thanks for it getting found sooner than it could have been.

[Mikey2201]

Praying for you and your daughter best of luck

[Jim S]

"atypical" is not cancer. I am well versed in this area because I read a ton of thyroid studies and have done many thyroid biopsies. I can't say much on a public forum regarding the diagnosis.

+++ vibes and of course I hope for the best .

[Jd3]

Keith: major mojo to your daughter ... your support and love will get her through this. Best wishes for a good prognosis and outcome. Hang in !

[rmj254]

I'm sorry your daughter and your family are having to go through this. Thankfully, she is being proactive and getting seen about in a timely manner. Positive thoughts from me to her, you, and your family.

[austex]

KeithC, this site was very helpful when we had to deal with this, all is well now! - keep the faith: http://www.thyca.org/

[KeithC]

Just want to thank everyone again. TGP is the best.
Thanks too to those that PM'd me with well wishes and info...and offers of help.

I appreciate it more than you can know :)