My biopsy came back... Inconclusive!
But, we have narrowed down what type of tumor it is. (The type that is impossible to tell beningn from malignant - great! Impossible to tell from a needle biopsy, anyway).
In the grand scheme of things - it sounds okay. If it is a cancer, it is still a 95%+ cureable type.
It is potentially such a rare type of cancer that I don't get the impression that it is likely to be cancer anyway.
Doctor will remove half my thyroid (probably in January) and if the lab results come back cancer, it would take too long and would mean a second surgery. Which is always a possibility anyway, but is certain in this case that they can not do a quick lab test to determine malignancy during surgery. That is the impression I got, anyway.
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I think dh and I learned this past year that we can remain calm in the face of medical uncertainty.
But, I think I Feel a little extra stoic about the whole thing, this time around.
I've had a few surgeries before, so the idea doesn't scare me. I Feel rather "eh" about it. (I haven't had surgery in about 15 years, so all the bad stuff has probably left my memory. But, I tolerate pain pretty well).
& having gone through dh's brain surgery just one year ago, this seems pretty easy peasy in comparison.
So, pretty much, I don't see what the big bugaboo is!
Now, sitting and waiting for the biopsy results to come back? Ugh. Has been hell. I don't look forward to going through that all over again with the surgery. That part I probably look least forward to. But getting the results and putting this all behind me does sound pretty good. So, bring on the surgery!
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The surgeon I met in the first place is scheduling the surgery, but I am not 100% sure I will go with him. He's fine, but I just don't know anything about him. I met with him briefly, he told me he didn't expect I had a mass in my neck, and thought he had pretty much sent me on my way. So, basically I still have a million questions! I am glad things are rolling forward, but just hope I don't feel the need to switch surgeons. That can really delay everything.
He's been really good returning my calls and answering things for me. I just hope he doesn't tell me he's only done a few of these surgeries before. I'll be meeting with him whenever they can fit me in...
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The first time I met the surgeon, I can't help but feel his assistant jinxed me. She gushed on and on how I was on no medications and how rare that is. I was like, "Really? I'm only 33." This didn't seem to sway her opinion that I was a rarity.
I share because dh and I were both the epitome of good health, but have become those statistics that I always share when I see people without health insurance. We'd be bankrupt about now, without insurance. Cancer, tumors, car accidents - all that stuff can happen to just about anyone.
Surgery Update
December 6th, 2010 at 09:25 pm
December 6th, 2010 at 09:52 pm 1291672327
December 6th, 2010 at 10:15 pm 1291673730
December 7th, 2010 at 12:36 am 1291682174
December 7th, 2010 at 01:23 am 1291684992
That said, we had the same reaction when we applied for health insurance in our 20s. Our agent said "no one qualifies for the lowest rates," and I was worried because I was pregnant and not in the best of health accordingly (higher blood pressure than usual, and borderline diabetes). But, that said, I don't know many 20 (or even 30-somethings) with life insurance. So, that could just be the type of people that usually buy insurance. I don't know.
December 7th, 2010 at 01:24 pm 1291728295
If it does come back cancerous, my best friend had thyroid cancer at 26. They removed the full thyroid, did a treatment where she took a radio-iodine tablet and then put her on thyroid meds. She will be on them the rest of her life & it took a month or 2 to get the right dosage for her. But she's doing VERY well and her life is completely normal again.
I hope the surgery moves quickly for you and recovery happens fast. I was back to work in 2 weeks, no problem.
December 7th, 2010 at 06:04 pm 1291745055
December 7th, 2010 at 06:25 pm 1291746330
December 7th, 2010 at 10:19 pm 1291760347
But that said, Congrats on being healthy! Atleast it's nice to be recognized for that, most of the time your health isn't noticed due to all the sick people
December 15th, 2010 at 09:06 pm 1292447186
December 18th, 2010 at 03:35 pm 1292686548
Best of luck with the surgery in January!
December 18th, 2010 at 03:42 pm 1292686965