I went in to the doctor in July 2011 for a lingering sore throat. I didn't see my regular physician, but one of the on-call doctors who was handling the walk-in appointments. As he palpated my throat, he mentioned that he felt a nodule on the right side and recommended that I get an ultrasound immediately.
He had a technician perform the ultrasound and sent me home. Later that week, I received my ultrasound results that indicated a irregular mass in the right lobe of my thyroid gland. It was noted to contain calcification and a biopsy was recommended. In early August, I visited with a local endocrinologist to discuss my options and he mentioned that he could take care of my biopsy right there. In retrospect, I should have consulted other doctors for a second opinion, and done my research on the best way to proceed with a biopsy, but I agreed to go ahead with the biopsy that day.
The results of the biopsy (known as a Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration or FNA) noted "significant findings" with some atypical characteristic, but overall, the report was inconclusive. The endocrinologist I had done the biopsy with said that I could proceed with a hemi-thyroidectomy (a procedure to removed the affected right lobe, but leave the left lobe of the thyroid gland intact) but it was no rush. This time, I did get a second opinion, unfortunately, (again in retrospect) the second opinion was worse than the first. The second endocrinologist I consulted told me not to worry about the results - "inconclusive" results meant nothing and that we would re-check everything in a few months.
In April 2012 (almost 9 months after my first biopsy), I had a repeat FNA performed. This time, we researched and found a pathologist who specialized in thyroid fine needle biopsy consultations. The biopsy experience was so different - the pathologist used an ultrasound to re-evaluate my entire thyroid (right and left), and my neck. He also used the ultrasound to guide his needle and ensure he was collecting samples from the right spots.
When I received the biopsy results in the end of April 2012, there was no mistake about it - positive for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Furthermore, the pathologist had found PTC spread beyond the thyroid in a lymph node as well. At this point, everything started to move forward full speed ahead.
I did some focused and intense research into the best head and neck surgeons in NY and came up with a short list of three surgeons. One of them was unfortunately not an in-network doctor in my health insurance. I met with the remaining two surgeons who both concurred that I would need a total thyroidectomy (complete removal of the thyroid gland), as well as a possible neck dissection to explore and remove any lymph nodes affected by PTC. Furthermore, following the removal of my thyroid (and affected lymph nodes), I would need to undergo radioactive iodine treatment to ablate any remaining microscopic thyroid tissue (malignant or benign) that surgery could not address.
I spent a lot of time blaming myself for waiting those 9 months to consult with a surgeon and not being more aggressive about advocating for myself after my first FNA results came back "inconclusive".
In July 2012, I had my total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. My PTC was a lot more involved than the biopsy let on. I had carcinoma in my right lobe, microcarcinomas in my left lobe, two parathyroids affected by PTC, several affected lymph nodes, and a tumor wrapped around my right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). My surgeon actually stopped the surgery and scrubbed out to discuss my RLN with two of his colleagues to make sure they had no other choice but to sever the RLN. My surgeon also told me that my PTC was so calcified, it was clear it had been there for many years. It was a small comfort to me that I didn't bring this upon myself by waiting those 9 months between my biopsies, but I did start to wonder about what in my diet and lifestyle choices I could have changed (and change moving forward) to make sure my future "me" was a healthier "me".
On September 17, 2012, I start my radioactive iodine treatment. It brings with it another host of concerns about my health and well-being moving forward.
My goal for this journal is to continue to share my story to help raise awareness of Thyroid Cancer (ThyCa) and research and share tips and tricks for healthier living. I hope you can join me on this life-long journey and I would love to hear your stories and advice as well!
He had a technician perform the ultrasound and sent me home. Later that week, I received my ultrasound results that indicated a irregular mass in the right lobe of my thyroid gland. It was noted to contain calcification and a biopsy was recommended. In early August, I visited with a local endocrinologist to discuss my options and he mentioned that he could take care of my biopsy right there. In retrospect, I should have consulted other doctors for a second opinion, and done my research on the best way to proceed with a biopsy, but I agreed to go ahead with the biopsy that day.
The results of the biopsy (known as a Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration or FNA) noted "significant findings" with some atypical characteristic, but overall, the report was inconclusive. The endocrinologist I had done the biopsy with said that I could proceed with a hemi-thyroidectomy (a procedure to removed the affected right lobe, but leave the left lobe of the thyroid gland intact) but it was no rush. This time, I did get a second opinion, unfortunately, (again in retrospect) the second opinion was worse than the first. The second endocrinologist I consulted told me not to worry about the results - "inconclusive" results meant nothing and that we would re-check everything in a few months.
In April 2012 (almost 9 months after my first biopsy), I had a repeat FNA performed. This time, we researched and found a pathologist who specialized in thyroid fine needle biopsy consultations. The biopsy experience was so different - the pathologist used an ultrasound to re-evaluate my entire thyroid (right and left), and my neck. He also used the ultrasound to guide his needle and ensure he was collecting samples from the right spots.
When I received the biopsy results in the end of April 2012, there was no mistake about it - positive for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Furthermore, the pathologist had found PTC spread beyond the thyroid in a lymph node as well. At this point, everything started to move forward full speed ahead.
I did some focused and intense research into the best head and neck surgeons in NY and came up with a short list of three surgeons. One of them was unfortunately not an in-network doctor in my health insurance. I met with the remaining two surgeons who both concurred that I would need a total thyroidectomy (complete removal of the thyroid gland), as well as a possible neck dissection to explore and remove any lymph nodes affected by PTC. Furthermore, following the removal of my thyroid (and affected lymph nodes), I would need to undergo radioactive iodine treatment to ablate any remaining microscopic thyroid tissue (malignant or benign) that surgery could not address.
I spent a lot of time blaming myself for waiting those 9 months to consult with a surgeon and not being more aggressive about advocating for myself after my first FNA results came back "inconclusive".
In July 2012, I had my total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection. My PTC was a lot more involved than the biopsy let on. I had carcinoma in my right lobe, microcarcinomas in my left lobe, two parathyroids affected by PTC, several affected lymph nodes, and a tumor wrapped around my right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). My surgeon actually stopped the surgery and scrubbed out to discuss my RLN with two of his colleagues to make sure they had no other choice but to sever the RLN. My surgeon also told me that my PTC was so calcified, it was clear it had been there for many years. It was a small comfort to me that I didn't bring this upon myself by waiting those 9 months between my biopsies, but I did start to wonder about what in my diet and lifestyle choices I could have changed (and change moving forward) to make sure my future "me" was a healthier "me".
On September 17, 2012, I start my radioactive iodine treatment. It brings with it another host of concerns about my health and well-being moving forward.
My goal for this journal is to continue to share my story to help raise awareness of Thyroid Cancer (ThyCa) and research and share tips and tricks for healthier living. I hope you can join me on this life-long journey and I would love to hear your stories and advice as well!
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