Comments on: Thyroid Cancer

By: Lori

Lori — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:06:57 +0000

My situation is similar to Crystal’s. I’m a 48yo woman & a 5-year follicular cancer survivor. At age 22, a I did some modelling, and the photographer became annoyed due to my “adam’s apple.” I was too embarrassed to have cancer at the time. As lump grew & I felt like a house losing its electricity, the clocks slowing and stopping, bouts of depression, I had a heck of a time getting diagnosed. Doctors felt lump, performed needle aspirations and blood tests. Results came back normal.

Finally, a doctor felt my neck, told me that follicular cancer can only be detected by biopsy, not needle aspiration. I consider that he saved my live that day. Still it was a long road. I had one side removed, and they couldn’t detect it at first. Had to send it to Standford where it came back as malignant. My surgeon performed the full thyroidectomy then, and then radiation. I’m so grateful to the doctor who insisted I, like Chrystal, become my own advocate.

I had to force my insurance company to pay for treatment. It took three months and came down to me telling them, “I’m a reporter and I’m doing a story on people being refused necessary procedures…” Truth is, I am a reporter, but I’d recommend using that one to anyone who needs it. My procedure was approved the afternoon I said those words.

Sorry this is so long. God bless and good health to all.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:48:31 +0000

Diet is a big part of the treatment.
Six years ago I was diagnosed “Hyper-thyroid” and put on medication.
Since then I changed the way I eat and sleep. My weight is now consistent and I have yet to need the surgery. I go back this week to have my blood work done.
Six years ago they checked me monthly – now I go four times a year.

By: terri mccaslin

terri mccaslin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:20:40 +0000

I just finished a three week evaluation, which includes a very restrictive diet, two shots of Thyrogen, and a full body scan. I was initially diagnosed with two types of thyroid cancer ten years ago. Had surgery and two rounds of radiation and I am profoundly grateful to my endocrinologist for being so diligent.

Charles, hang in. It gets better. Terri

By: Crystal

Crystal — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:31:29 +0000

To Charles and any others winning the battle with thyroid cancer: Hang in there! I am a 22 year survivor of extensive thyroid cancer, papillary and follicular in origin. I have had 2 surgeries and two doses of radioactive iodine. I am cancer free right now and have been for 17 years.And I was diagnosed at age 21. I found a nodule on the extreme upper lobe of the left side of my thyroid. It was so high that my doctors were quite confident that it was a lymph node. I, however, was fairly sure that something was not right. I persued this issue, to the point that I had to change doctors. I had scans, and even a fine-needle biopsy, in which the surgeon took multiple biopsies of the nodule. They came back negative. I just knew in my heart-of-hearts that this thing was not benign. I contacted a well-respected surgeon, who immediately reviewed all my info and charts, and scheduled the surgery that eventually saved my life! My best advice to all? Be your own best advocate. Persue the answers that put your heart at ease when something is wrong in your body, and do not be intimidated by doctors or anyone else that tries to tell you that there is nothing wrong! YOU KNOW YOUR BODY AND YOU ARE YOUR OWN LIFE SAVER! By the way, all of my blood levels were totally normal,so I hope nobody puts too much faith in that! Godspeed to all! Praying for a cure for all who are fighting the fight!

By: jackie smith

jackie smith — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:25:06 +0000

I just noticed spelling errors in my previous submission, how ironic! I apologize for my lack of proofreading, but hope my message still rings true to you.

By: kim

kim — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:46:50 +0000

thank you

By: Charles Aulffo

Charles Aulffo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:19:32 +0000

I’m going thru treatment now. Everything you said is what the doctors told me , thanks charles