Re: Texas_Thyroid_Groups] Thyroid surgery

October 4, 2004

I'm Back!!!! But on Digest only so far.

When I had the last FNA - that Dr. Monla ordered - the Dr that did it

also FNA'd a lphym (sp?) node. And yes I can't spell today. Both

negative.

Oh and I've never heard the bit about it being harder to remove a

thyroid that was Hashi's vs. one that isn't. Amazing the stuff that

comes out of Petak's mouth. He is in my opinion - surgery as a last

option - not always a bad thing, but he leaves it too long - this

from people I know that are seeing him for Cushings problems - they

have been seeing him for years and nothing happening yet - but more

tests............

As for surgery difficulity - it all depends on the individual case -

some hashi's I am sure are hard, some could be easy, some in

between. He really shouldn't make generalities like that - it's for

the surgeon to say what your's would or wouldn't be. Hard or easy or

in between.

Mine to is one that pushes in - it too bothers me - it is growing -

it causes pain - it causes breathing difficities, swallowing, etc.

While I am not in a rush for surgery I do want to know - How big they

plan on letting it get - Hey I do not want something the size of a

lemon in my throat, so at what point do you remove it???? I am an

organized person, a plan maker, I like to map out what I will be

doing for as long in advance as I can (yeah a bit anal, I know) so

let me know up front when it gets to size x.y we remove them. Last

Ultrasound it was just over 1.3 x 1 cm. In January it was barely 1

cm. So it shows slow growth. It has folluclear (sp? still can't

spell) cells. Anyway, I am not worried - worried, but I do like to

know things upfront. Petak is not an upfront kind of doctor, IMO.

While I like Dr. Monla better then P, she is still " not it " , but I am

being to think " it " doesn't exist at least not within driving range

for me or where I can afford it.

My sister wants me to see a naturopath (sp?), but as insurance won't

cover one here I just can't afford it. She sees one in WY. And she

really helps her, but without insurance to cover part of it, it's out

of my league here. Her's told her about one near Austin, but I can't

drive that far for a visit nor pay out of pocket for it either.

Janie

P.S. I am in marriage counseling and it is helping alot - so it

looks like I won't be separating as I previously that I would.

> >Have the lymph glands been biopsied?

> >

> >Your overall set of problems would make me nervous enough to push

for a

> >thyroidectomy. You could very well have thyroid cancer that does

not show

> >up on a biopsy.

October 4, 2004

Janie,

good to hear from you! Glad about the negative results on the FNA's.

For both you and Lynn, I was never a take charge kind of person when

I was going through this, just learned over the last couple of

years. So I can't tell you the size my thyroid was, at least not

exact measurements, but I do know it was 3 times normal size,

according to the surgeon. A barium swallow test revealed virtually

no room left for anything, and my thyroid was completely rigid. The

surgeon could push in with his thumb, and choke me. He was the one

to make the decision that it needed to be removed. He was an

excellent surgeon, took alot of time in removing virtually all

thyroid tissue, and made a wonderful cut that I really have to point

out to you. I had Surgery on a Wednesday, and was back to work the

following monday. I had steristrips on my throat. The worst sore

throat I've ever had in my life, but it's the first time I'd ever

been intubated.

Afterward, it was a relief to be able to breath, and swallow.

Cathryn

October 4, 2004