so, i was debating whether or not i would post this. but i think i could use some extra encouragement right now. (we can never have enough you know)

my sister called me at work a week ago last thursday and said that they had found a lump on her thyroid, she'd had an ultrasound done, and the doctor wanted to get her in for a needle biopsy as soon as possible. they tried to schedule it for tuesday, but she couldn't get in until just this last friday. she asked me to go with her for the biopsy. so i got off work friday and went with her to the hospital where they did the procedure. then we just had to wait for the results, which should have come either monday or tuesday. due to the snowstorm we had here (a buttload fell, in case you didn't see my other threads) she didn't get the results til today. she hadn't even told my parents yet. my mother would have FREAKED out, and she didn't want to worry her until she knew if there was something to worry about.

my sister called me at about 12noon. i happened to be home today b/c my daughter is still sick. she just told me she got the results and i needed to go to our parents house. i got there, and she sat my mom and i down and had to explain all of it to mom, about finding the lump, getting the ultrasound and the biopsy. then she told us. "it is cancerous."

i think i'm ok now. for now anyways. i was able to talk to someone very close to me on the phone and he calmed me down. (thank you so much ) he did some research on it, and thyroid cancer is the least aggressive of the cancers, and the best treatable of all of them. sounds like if you're going to get cancer, this is the one to get! 98% survival rate, and she is in the best group of survivors, women under the age of 35. (thanks again for the research!)

i am still worried though. she said she can remember feeling this lump possibly 15 years ago. the thyroid is very close to the lymph nodes. every time she gets sick all that around her throat swells up and it takes forever to get better. i keep telling myself the positive things about it, but still, at the back of my mind i'm thinking "it's cancer. CANCER." all those damned "what-ifs" floating around. the main one, "what if it's spread already??"

fortunately, she now--for the first time in her adult life--has health insurance through her work. she's got her first appointment on wednesday. the doctor told her in all likelihood she will undergo surgery to remove the thyroid completely, and will undergo one radiation treatment. then she will be on thyroid hormone replacement medicine for the rest of her life. as long as it hasn't spread, things look very well indeed.

I'm so sorry.

I went through my mother having cancer last year. I know it's not the same and I know you've got plenty of people to lean on, but if you need to vent or want to talk to someone who's been through something similar, let me know.

Try not to worry...it sounds like things are in your sister's favor I'm sorry this is happening.

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. At least you have a little comfort in knowing that it's the least agressive form of cancer.
You have my prayers

thanks. i know, as i think about it, it really seems almost silly to worry about it. there are a million things going in her favor. it's just those damned "what ifs".

fantasyislander said:

I know. Even when we found out my mother had the best possible scenario you can have (and still have cancer) I was a wreck. For quite a while. Damn the 'what-if's'!!

sweetheart

you know what???

knowledge is power.
you know now what it is.
you know now what has to be done.

and it will be dealt with!! the scary part is the unknown. it leaves you to think and ponder. but from everything you have said this sounds like something that you can all face with the most hope and positivity.

lots of people have messed up or non-functioning thyroids and get by just fine with the medication. so i would think the same would apply to her! as far as her lymph glands if she has to loose some or all it will affect her ability to fight germs and she may have to be more careful in this respect but that is all doable!!

to you girl

carrie, andrea, 1sexymf, emm, jurgen . . .

thank you.

We're all here for ya, and doin' whatever it is we do to wish the best.

Just be there for her.. come with all the positivity you can muster up in a time like this.

In the meantime

I can't even imagine how your family feels.

My love and prayers to all of you.

Lotsa strength and
I work in the breast cancer research field, but i'll try and find someone tomorrow to get some information for you.

fantasyislander said:

You're not being silly...it's natural to worry...but, just be thankful that there are SO many things in her favor

amyhr, sag, romera, alf



thank you all.

sag10 said:

i know that's why she called me. that's what i'm like when she's around. it's when i'm by myself that i've started to break down a bit. that's when i get on the phone.

Hugs and kiss for you all!

fantasyislander said:

In life I don't do "what ifs" and you shouldn't either.

Focus on what is and it sounds positive.

CynthiasSocks said:

thank you. compared to what you went through this seems small indeed.



thanks again everybody.

Fantasyislander, I'm in much pain myself right now and all things around me are pretty blurry, but I want you to know I read this and I felt your pain... Please keep as strong as you can, and don't be afraid to be weak sometimes. big

MarieLouise said:

how are you doing hun?

fantasyislander said:

fantasyislander said:

I don't really know at this moment. I feel weak and strong at the same time. I've found a place to stay for one month.

But this is not the right thread to talk about me. We should talk about the wonderful person you are, here, and the very big chance of survival your sister has. I think it's not a stupid idea at all to stay positive. Sounds like you have reason to be.

MarieLouise said:

just don't forget to take your own advice.

message for me and you, things will work out.

Hang in there, Hillary. I hope everything works out for her. I'll keep you both in my prayers.

I'm so saddened to hear about this!!! You, your sister and your family are all in your prayers during this difficult time.

I'm so sorry to see this is happening to your sister and your family.

Thank you for telling us so we can all send your our love, support and 's

I will keep your sister, you and your family in my 's

I'm so sorry for you, and I will keep your sister, you, and your family in my prayers. Thank God they found this and now they can move on to treating it, and then to recovery. I know you must be really worried for her, but just try to keep your head up for her. She needs your support right now, and you've already done the right thing by being there for her emotionally and for when she had her biopsy done. I hope everything turns out alright, and if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm a good listener.

My love to you, your family and to Tia especially
Anything you need.....you know where i am.....I think

Stay strong,stay postitive, focus on the facts....the prognosis sounds good..don't forget that.
Love P
XXX