Well, not sure where to start with this. Let's see, blood work is fine, reminder it has always been 100% fine, my cancer never showed up in the blood. CT Scan is fine, well pretty much. . . First Dr Onc told me how awesome it is that we've reached this mark and that Dennis is in charge of my 5 year party in May, lol. He says now we'll do blood work every 6 months and I think that's pretty much it. I figure if I'm having a problem I will just call, I know he'll take me seriously and check on things so I'm fine with this plan - feels good really.
Then he goes on to tell me that the scan does show a nodule on my thyroid. But that many people have nodules on their thyroids so that in and of itself doesn't mean anything. He says the best way to look at it is through ultrasound and he's trying to decide if we're best to look at it right away or if we just watch it a little longer. He's looking to me for the answer on what to do. So after he has explained things I ask if it was there in previous scans. Well, he doesn't know, he did look back and see that I had a regular CT scan in 2006 at Mayo and he can request it from them. I told him I brought those in during my first visit and they made copies but I could bring my disc back in.
So, I go home and I'll find my records and hopefully I do have the disc with that scan - we can't use the PET/CT scans to compare, it has to be a plain CT scan. But if I don't have it then he'll get a copy from Mayo. After Dr Onc reviews the scan from 5 years ago, we will know where to go.
My decision is that if the nodule is apparent in that scan (my guess is it isn't since I've never heard about it before and I think Mayo would have mentioned it) then we can just wait, I'm cool with waiting. If Dr Onc reviews that scan and sees nothing on my thyroid then I think we should do the ultrasound now. Hopefully know which way we're going soon.
I know if it were me, I would have the ultrasound. There is no use having anything else to worry about. He is right, lots of people have nodules on their thyroids and get treated and are fine. Still, I think you have been through enough not to need something extra to worry about. Here is hoping and praying that all is well!!
ReplyDeleteHey, Lisa! :) Did you know that I had FOUR nodules on my thyroid? I had them for years before I ended up having surgery. Most of the time, they're totally safe and nothing to worry about.
ReplyDeleteEasy for me to say... <3 you!
Let me know if you ever want to talk about thyroids. I'm rather well educated (especially for someone without a thyroid, tee hee...).
Five years!!! Whoo-Hoo!!!! I too would go with the ultrasound now...But then I'm not good at waiting.
ReplyDeleteyou know my vote.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa, what a day you've had. Congrats on the 5 year mark. I've had 3 nodules on my thyroid, one when I was 25, one when I was 44 and I have one, now. It's necessary to remove the nodule to determine if it's benign or malignant, an ultrasound doesn't do that. My first two were removed, and were benign. With that history, the endocrinologist is just watching the 3rd one.
ReplyDeleteNow, for the good news; when I heard this when I was 25, I thought it was very good news. If a thyroid tumor is malignant, there's a really high chance that it will be confined to the thyroid, only, and not spread to other glands.
Congrats on FIVE years! woohoo! You know best how to deal with these decisions after all you have been through...need anything? just ask and you shall receive!
ReplyDeleteI'd say, especially since you've had cancer before, it's better safe than sorry. So , have the scan, put the worry out of your mind.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 5 years. I wish everyone who had cancer would survive. Actually, I wish no one would have cancer.
First congratulations on 5 years. Second - I would do what you're proposing. You are SO SO SO strong Lisa.
ReplyDeleteWhatever it turns out to be, we are here for you! Thank you for filling us in on the details. I will be praying for you.
ReplyDeleteYup, I'm with the others - have the ultrasound now rather than wait/worry. I had a node on mine years ago. Turned out to be something that could be drained rather than removed via surgery. Continued blessings to you and your party-planning hubby!
ReplyDeletecongratulations on five years cancer free--and I would have the ultrasound too. I'm a worrier.
ReplyDeleteThinking positive good thoughts and sending them your way. Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteI'm with the previous commenter... sending positive thoughts your way. Also wanted to say that the image of the hoverfly on the coneflower is absolutely sublime!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on five years! I think your plan is the best one. Sending especially good thoughts your way.
ReplyDeleteYay on 5 years!! But I wish it didn't come with this little wrinkle. If it was me, I'd get the nodule checked just so you don't have it hanging over you.
ReplyDeleteI think that's a wise decision.
ReplyDeleteHope everything turns out fine! Sending some positive energy your way!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the great news! Sounds like a good plan on the scan. So what kind of big plans does your Hubby have for the 5-year party?
ReplyDelete