No Such Thing As "Good Cancer"
By Some of ThyCa's Lifetime Members
We've all heard it at one time or another: "If you have to get cancer, then this is the one to get." "Thyroid cancer is good cancer," and similar statements. These comments fail to take into account just how serious and complex thyroid cancer can be.
Those of us who have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer know these statements aren't true. There is no "good cancer."
Telling someone diagnosed with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer that he or she has an excellent prognosis for a long life of living with thyroid cancer is reasonable. Telling the same person that he/she has "good cancer" diminishes both how dangerous the disease can be, and what the person diagnosed is going through.
Medical professionals need to speak to us in the same way they discuss any other cancer, so that we will realize how important lifetime monitoring is even when we have a good prognosis. Not clearly delivering this message can lead survivors to not understand how important lifetime monitoring and follow-up are to managing their thyroid cancer.
To put things in context, when someone feels poorly and goes to the doctor for a checkup, the doctor may say, "you have a bad cold." How can a person be told he or she has a "bad cold," but can have "good cancer"?
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What symptoms did you have?
January 7, 2013 - 1:39pmThis Comment
Oh Marie - I can feel how stressed and worried you are by the way you wrote and what you wrote. It's difficult to prepare yourself for what you think may be coming, but when you go in and there's something very different, and you're completely unprepared, it's extremely stressful. And, to have your husband also dealing with a health concern is naturally compounding things for you.
I can't say that I know how you feel, as nobody can, but as someone who's recently experienced dealing with a health problem that was, as you put it, "overwhelming", I can relate to going to a strange doctor's office and having conversations you never expected to have and the awful, awful periods of waiting for answers.
Friends helped me through my situation, so I'd like to pass on some advice that I found helpful. It helps to sort priorities by making a list. If needed, get someone to help in making that list. Second, use the time that you have between now and Nov 23 to prepare for what's ahead and go into this experience as strongly as you can.
If you share this information with friends, they will want to help you, but won't know what to do. So, think through what you need (it's that list, again) and who could help with what.
I'm glad you have confidence in your doctors, and also that you have your husband there to support you as you go through this. See, it's not all bad, is it?
If you have questions, or need some resources, just write us and we will help you find the information or track down an expert who can assist you. Marie, I know it may seem like you're all alone in this, but you're not. Please keep us posted as you go forward with this and let us know how we can help. Above all, take good care of yourself. It's always important, but it's especially important now.
October 28, 2009 - 5:25pmTalk with you again soon, Pat
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I waited to post until I had some definite information. I had the biopsy. The doctor called and the first words he waid were that there were no malignant cells found....however, what was discovered was follicular neoplasm. The biopsy could not rule out cancer, nor could it confirm cancer. I was sent to a surgeon and I saw him yesterday. The only way to know for sure is to remove the tumor, since it is mid-pole, he plans to remove the entire left lobe. When he gets inside he will look to see if it is safe to remove the right lobe as well, because the right lobe is "burnt out from chronic Hashimoto's. Of course I agreed to have the surgery. Now I must wait to get my approval from Blue Cross and the first time available on his calendar is Nov 23. Three to five days after surgery I get the results of the biopsy. I am really scared as I didn't even think about a problem with my vocal cords. Apparently there is a device that has been used for about 2 years now. I think it is called Nervana. It helps to determine if the vocal cords are in the way of removing the lobe. It just all sounds so scary though. You are pushed into a strange doctor's office and they are talking about surgery, possible malignancy. It is just so overwhelming. The doctor seems very qualified, is head of the division at the hospital and was recommended by my endo and my internist, so all I can do is move forward. I am so tired of this though...I just want it to go away! To make matters even worse, my husband went to the dermatologist yesterday. He found a small bump that rapidly grew in 2 weeks..they biopsied that! Derm said it could be malenoma. I am very stressed.
October 28, 2009 - 3:32pmThis Comment
You said it Pat...I would give ANYTHING to have my mom with me now (but without her dimentia!) She was always so comforting and I always felt that as long as mom was near...nothing bad could happen to me...silly I know. My husband is a nice man, but most men are a bit limited in the compassion department...they just think differently than we do. Today was a long day with no word. I am hoping tomorrow I hear something....anything is better than wondering and waiting. I think I will go take a valium...I need one tonight. Take care and thanks for writing. I have never felt so isolated. Regards, Marie
October 28, 2009 - 3:20pmThis Comment
Hi Marie - I'm so glad to have been able to be of comfort to you, and sorry to hear that you lost your mother last year. I'm sure there are many days lately that you wish you could talk with her. We will be waiting to hear back from you and praying for good news with you. If you have any questions or concerns along the way please let us know and we will find resources and information to help you so you're not alone.
October 22, 2009 - 5:30pmStay strong, and be sure to take good care of yourself.
Pat
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Nice to meet you Pat. I have a friend who has the "good" Leukemia, and you are correct...she and others such as yourself deserve full support. She has had a terrible time, but is a lovely and gracious person. I will let you all know...I pray for good news and on swift wings! When I saw your picture I almost fainted because at a glance you look like my mother who I lost last year. Same coloring and turquoise blue was her favorite and she always wore it...so I almost had to take a triple take. Your kind face and words were a comfort...like a little visit from her.
October 21, 2009 - 9:09pmThis Comment
Ladies - What an interesting conversation, and I'm so glad to have found it. I have what's called the "best" or "good" form of leukemia, and it bothers me when people use that term. I had no idea that thyroid cancer was also called a "good" cancer until reading this. There simply is NO good cancer, and any person who is facing this disease deserves full support.
October 21, 2009 - 5:35pmMarie - I'm glad your FNA went well, and that you found the medical professionals were so caring. Good luck and please keep in touch with us.
Anon - Thanks so much for writing in to assure Marie and for providing information on the support group. It makes such a difference to know that others care and understand.
Take good care,
Pat
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Don't be afraid of anything. That is not the way to look at this. I had hashimoto's also. I noticed you wrote this last night so you won't read this until after you FNA. It wasn't that bad was it. It's like going to the dentist you know it hurts a little, but you go anyway! You need to take a deep breath. When you go to your Endo ask him as many questions that you can think of ( write them down) also I don't know where you live, but there is a support group called THYCA call them they can help. Look under local support groups on their website at www.thyca.org Stay strong you will be fine.
October 21, 2009 - 5:59amThis Comment
Hello and thank you for commenting on my post. You are right, it truly was not bad at all...just like the shot at the dentist's office. The people at my hospital were so nice and truly caring. The doctor that took the sample was making me laugh after it was over, so all in all it was a positive experience. I hope that the results are benign so I can put this aside. No matter what....I will be fine. Thanks for your support and I will let you know what the results are. I have a feeling I will know tomorrow. The young lady that took the slides said that it looked good, but of course, they need to be examined.
October 21, 2009 - 11:17amThis Comment
I have not even been given a diagnosis yet and I am already hearing the "good Cancer" comments. My thyroid TSH has been all over the board. It was high in June and meds were changed....then it went drastically low...then lower. My gynecologist sent me to an endocrinologist and he had a ultrasound done with a real-time sonograhic evaluation. The findings were: "right lobe of the thyroid gland is heterogeneous with fatty infiltration suggesting "burnt out" thyroiditis. No discrete nodules are demonstrated (this sounds good). But then....the left lobe of the thyroid gland is heterogeneous with fatty infiltration. A discrete hyperechoic nodule within the midpole measuring 0.6 x 0.6 . 0.5 cm associated with increased flow. No other nodules are demonstrated. Isthmus is normal at 2.5 mm. No increased flow demonstrated." I have been hypo for 22 years. I have Hashimoto's Disease. The doctor ordered a FNA and I am going tomorrow morning. I am petrified. Not of the procedure...I can handle pain...but does it hurt? I have read that hyperechoic is a good thing...meaning that it is not solid. But I am so scared. If it is not cancer...will they remove the nodule? Do you have to have chemotherapy? There is thyroid cancer in my fam....my uncle has it. I am worried.
October 20, 2009 - 8:26pmThis Comment