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Biopsy Question (1 Viewer)

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Fantasy_Freak

Footballguy
So my wife had a biopsy last Thursday on her Thyroid.  Her doctor was out Friday and possibly yesterday.  Fast forward to this morning about an hour ago, my wife just called me and she stated the doctor called her and stated they wanted her to come in to the doctors office to get the results and that she needed to bring someone to the appointment with her.  She asked me what do you think that means and she tried to laugh it off.  Her appointment is in 3 1/2 hours and I am going with her, obviously we are both a little freaked out, she is trying to play it off like no big deal, but I can hear it in her voice when we talk that she is concerned.  I am sitting at my desk at work unable to get anything done.  I really have no questions, all I am doing is thinking about worse case scenarios which is not constructive.  I know I am not alone in this in that many people have experienced these things, but how do you try to remain normal while waiting for the upcoming appointment.  I am trying to get focused to get work done but think about my wife and what could possibly happen.  I hate this and just wish the appointment could be now so we can move on and attack whatever needs to be done.  Hoping for the best outcome on this!

 
No experience with this but I can understand your nervousness and unease. Good luck and best wishes to you both.

 
Can you take some personal time and ask your wife to go for lunch or something before the appointment? Neither of you may have much of an appetite, but being together may help. Hoping for the best...stay positive.

 
What you're feeling is completely normal, but you've got to suck it up and be a rock for her.  That is your job.  Focus on logistics, next steps, and support.  Hopefully, the news will not be bad, but you need to be prepared for the worst.  You'll get through this.  

 
Good luck with everything.   Just remember to try to be as positive as you can--as there is no negative news yet.  It's very possible that the doctor wants to conduct a secondary medical procedure that could involve meds that would impede her ability to drive.  Whatever the case is--we are all certainly hoping and praying for the best for you and your family. 

 
My thoughts are with you. Hoping for good news.

From the easy for me to say files.
You don't know anything until they tell you. Try not assume anything. You're there for her. Don't Google.

 
if it means anything my wife has thyroid issues, and thyroids are PIA's who when get out of hand can just be removed or obliterated and their function can supplemented through meds. Thyroid issues have very high success rates overall from what I understand. 

But I'm no doctor. T&P

 
Thanks all for the kind words of support.  Obviously this is less about me and more about her.  My wife's sister had a thyroid issue as well and went on medication, eventually had it removed and upon remove some cancer cells were found.  Being that this is all new I want to support my wife and give her room at the same time.  she is also one that does not want to be a nuisance, in fact she was trying to tell me she would just meet me eat the hospital because it would be too much time to travel from work to home and then possibly back to work.  We eventually agreed to meet at home and go in one car.  Honestly it could be "nothing" but it could be "something" trying to get through the past couple hours has been hard, not that I am thinking about me but I am thinking about everyone involved from her to our kids.  

Whatever the answer is we receive in 2 hours will dictate where we go from here and how we tackle whatever is in front of us.  

Thanks again all for the kind words and support.  

 
Mookie said:
What you're feeling is completely normal, but you've got to suck it up and be a rock for her.  That is your job.  Focus on logistics, next steps, and support.  Hopefully, the news will not be bad, but you need to be prepared for the worst.  You'll get through this.  
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This times a hundred

 
you will know the results soon.  it’s easy to tell someone not to worry, but i am of the mindset that worrying in advance will do you no good.  you’ll have plenty of time to worry if need be, but fretting won’t help,  stay positive, your wife is looking for you to be a rock.

 
So the answer came back, there is a 75% chance my wife has thyroid cancer.  Based on the doctor's input it sound much worse that it really is.  The plan is to remove the thyroid have it tested for cancer if no cancer exists my wife is good and they just watch to ensure it doesn't pop up in the near future.  If there is cancer then there is a test to see if there is any spreading, a pill needs to be taken that has radioactive properties to kill off any cancer cells in the body and continual visits and test to ensure nothing shows for 5 years.  Thyroid cancer is a non-aggressive cancer in that it does not easily spread.  There is a 20% chance of spreading to other parts of the body.  We are taking this serious but my mind is more at ease that the survival rate is very high with this form of cancer.

Thanks again for the positive thoughts and messages, it kept my mind off the what-ifs for a couple hours and more on addressing whatever the answer is when when we get it.

 
Fantasy_Freak said:
So the answer came back, there is a 75% chance my wife has thyroid cancer.  Based on the doctor's input it sound much worse that it really is.  The plan is to remove the thyroid have it tested for cancer if no cancer exists my wife is good and they just watch to ensure it doesn't pop up in the near future.  If there is cancer then there is a test to see if there is any spreading, a pill needs to be taken that has radioactive properties to kill off any cancer cells in the body and continual visits and test to ensure nothing shows for 5 years.  Thyroid cancer is a non-aggressive cancer in that it does not easily spread.  There is a 20% chance of spreading to other parts of the body.  We are taking this serious but my mind is more at ease that the survival rate is very high with this form of cancer.

Thanks again for the positive thoughts and messages, it kept my mind off the what-ifs for a couple hours and more on addressing whatever the answer is when when we get it.
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So were the biopsy results "indeterminate" or "atypical"?

 
Fantasy_Freak said:
So the answer came back, there is a 75% chance my wife has thyroid cancer.  Based on the doctor's input it sound much worse that it really is.  The plan is to remove the thyroid have it tested for cancer if no cancer exists my wife is good and they just watch to ensure it doesn't pop up in the near future.  If there is cancer then there is a test to see if there is any spreading, a pill needs to be taken that has radioactive properties to kill off any cancer cells in the body and continual visits and test to ensure nothing shows for 5 years.  Thyroid cancer is a non-aggressive cancer in that it does not easily spread.  There is a 20% chance of spreading to other parts of the body.  We are taking this serious but my mind is more at ease that the survival rate is very high with this form of cancer.

Thanks again for the positive thoughts and messages, it kept my mind off the what-ifs for a couple hours and more on addressing whatever the answer is when when we get it.
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It's amazing how even fairly bad news can lead to being more at ease than the unknown.

Sorry that it wasn't a simple "all clear", but glad you got some answers and a good plan. Push hard for proper treatment and don't be afraid to ask questions, demand answers and seek other opinions if you're not satisfied. As you said, thyroid cancer is very beatable, so stay positive and go crush this thing.

 
GroveDiesel said:
It's amazing how even fairly bad news can lead to being more at ease than the unknown.

Sorry that it wasn't a simple "all clear", but glad you got some answers and a good plan. Push hard for proper treatment and don't be afraid to ask questions, demand answers and seek other opinions if you're not satisfied. As you said, thyroid cancer is very beatable, so stay positive and go crush this thing.
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It is known that cortisol levels in patients who receive a cancer diagnosis are essentially indistinguishable with those who receive uncertain results. And cortisol levels can be even higher for those who are still waiting for results.

 
Update;  After our preliminary meeting back in April we went to a specialist in Milwaukee and she stated it is definitely cancer.  The doctor did state this is something to take serious and not put off for an extended time period but at the same time this type of cancer has a 98% success rate.  The surgery to remove her thyroid is scheduled for July 24th, we just got home from the pre-operation appointment. An ultrasound was done to see if there was any spreading into lymph nodes, currently we do not have an answer, the doctor did not have a chance to review the ultrasound.  The ultrasound will give the doctor an idea of what else if any needs to be surgically removed besides the thyroid.  I have been attending every appointment with my wife just to be there in case any further bad news has developed.  Overall, outside of the nerves I think my wife is very calm about the upcoming surgery and looking forward to getting this done and moving on from there. 

 
I guess cancer is not good news but lets all hold out hopes for that 98% success rate! How's your wife taking things? How about you? Do you have children? How old is she?

 
glvsav37 said:
if it means anything my wife has thyroid issues, and thyroids are PIA's who when get out of hand can just be removed or obliterated and their function can supplemented through meds. Thyroid issues have very high success rates overall from what I understand. 

But I'm no doctor. T&P
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This is very true and good advice. Good luck to both of you. 

 
Fantasy_Freak said:
Update;  After our preliminary meeting back in April we went to a specialist in Milwaukee and she stated it is definitely cancer.  The doctor did state this is something to take serious and not put off for an extended time period but at the same time this type of cancer has a 98% success rate.  The surgery to remove her thyroid is scheduled for July 24th, we just got home from the pre-operation appointment. An ultrasound was done to see if there was any spreading into lymph nodes, currently we do not have an answer, the doctor did not have a chance to review the ultrasound.  The ultrasound will give the doctor an idea of what else if any needs to be surgically removed besides the thyroid.  I have been attending every appointment with my wife just to be there in case any further bad news has developed.  Overall, outside of the nerves I think my wife is very calm about the upcoming surgery and looking forward to getting this done and moving on from there. 
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Just seen the update. Thoughts and prayers sent your way. 

 
Thoughts and prayers coming your way, you’ve got this 

:heart:

Edit: my wife will be 4 years cancer free this weekend.....so it’s beatable 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
shadyridr said:
I guess cancer is not good news but lets all hold out hopes for that 98% success rate! How's your wife taking things? How about you? Do you have children? How old is she?
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She is pretty good about things, this morning I could sense some nervousness and she was happy that I came with her.  The way the doctor and nurses are treating this when discussing with us, they treat it as an almost normal process.  For us this is unique, but they deal with this on a "daily" basis almost become numb to the fact.  We try to make "light" of the situation to not necessarily take the whole cancer thing too serious.  The past few months have been eye opening to me, sitting in waiting rooms with my wife I am putting faces to cancer.  When you read pancreatic cancer or brain cancer it does not sink in as hard as seeing the faces and the fight within people who are going through cancer.  For us we will get through this, but it will forever change who I am.

My kids are aged 9, 13, and 16 and my wife is 47.  The kids all understand what is going on and we have tried to keep life normal and enjoy every day.  We have taken the tone that the doctor gives to my wife and pass this along to our kids.  While this is serious, this likely is not life threatening and the success rate is very high.

 
T&P’s that everything comes out well for your wife.  I am sure you will rise to the occasion and be a great caregiver to your wife and kids.

 
TheWalkmen said:
Good luck freak. My wife is a 3yr+ stage 3b colon cancer survivor, and currently cancer free. You/she can do it!
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Walkmen and the rest of the people on this site who have significant others who have dealt with or are currently fighting this disease, you have my utmost respect for the support and fight you give your significant others.  Again this is not as serious as all other cancers so we have it easy compared to a lot of you, but it still has the word with the stigma behind it.

 
Thanks all for the well wishes, so the surgery was Tuesday everything went well.  My wife came home from the hospital yesterday, throat is sore but according to the doctor and nurses they are pleased with the procedure.  The thyroid was sent to the pathology for testing, they should come back with answers tomorrow or early next week.  We were told dependent on what they see will dictate what, if any is done next.  Again thyroid cancer has a 99-100% success rate but back a few months ago when you here the word cancer every fear in your body starts to develop.

Thanks again all for the well wishes they mean a lot.

 
So post operation my wife visits her doctor a week after the surgery.  The doctor informed my wife that they took out 9 lymph nodes because they looked suspicious when they went in for the surgery.  The results came back that 3 of the lymph nodes tested positive for cancer.  Unfortunately, when I spoke to the doctor at the time of the surgery this was not told to me, not that it matters much.  The doctor thinks that they removed all possible cancerous lymph nodes so that we continue to move forward.  Fast forward to Tuesday and my wife had a follow-up discussion with her local doctor and they want her to take a radioactive pill.  Apparently, the radioactivity will attack any cancerous cells that remain and she should be good to go.  When taking the pill she needs to stay away from kids for a week, so she will stay at my in-laws for a week, while I take care of home life.  I think she will take the pill within the next week or two.

There is a weird feeling when you hear all these words, cancer, lymph nodes, radioactivity, inside, my first reaction is to be afraid, but we have been reassured there really does not need to be a lot to worry since this is a normal procedure and just to continue down the treatment path.

Thanks all for the well wishes.

 
Continued thoughts and prayers. Be strong for her. The only way you can do that is also try to find ways to destress yourself. Find moments to let go of the situation and enjoy yourself. It may make you feel guilty but in the long run I bet it helps you be there in the tough moments. Good luck.

 
Fantasy_Freak said:
So post operation my wife visits her doctor a week after the surgery.  The doctor informed my wife that they took out 9 lymph nodes because they looked suspicious when they went in for the surgery.  The results came back that 3 of the lymph nodes tested positive for cancer.  Unfortunately, when I spoke to the doctor at the time of the surgery this was not told to me, not that it matters much.  The doctor thinks that they removed all possible cancerous lymph nodes so that we continue to move forward.  Fast forward to Tuesday and my wife had a follow-up discussion with her local doctor and they want her to take a radioactive pill.  Apparently, the radioactivity will attack any cancerous cells that remain and she should be good to go.  When taking the pill she needs to stay away from kids for a week, so she will stay at my in-laws for a week, while I take care of home life.  I think she will take the pill within the next week or two.

There is a weird feeling when you hear all these words, cancer, lymph nodes, radioactivity, inside, my first reaction is to be afraid, but we have been reassured there really does not need to be a lot to worry since this is a normal procedure and just to continue down the treatment path.

Thanks all for the well wishes.
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Sounds like you guys were aggressive in treating the cancer. Follow your doctor's orders and stay positive. Don't let them make you think this is all normal. It's not. And they are just doing their jobs. But you should be cautious and curious. This will likely be a great learning and life experience. Best of luck!

 
Fantasy_Freak said:
So post operation my wife visits her doctor a week after the surgery.  The doctor informed my wife that they took out 9 lymph nodes because they looked suspicious when they went in for the surgery.  The results came back that 3 of the lymph nodes tested positive for cancer.  Unfortunately, when I spoke to the doctor at the time of the surgery this was not told to me, not that it matters much.  The doctor thinks that they removed all possible cancerous lymph nodes so that we continue to move forward.  Fast forward to Tuesday and my wife had a follow-up discussion with her local doctor and they want her to take a radioactive pill.  Apparently, the radioactivity will attack any cancerous cells that remain and she should be good to go.  When taking the pill she needs to stay away from kids for a week, so she will stay at my in-laws for a week, while I take care of home life.  I think she will take the pill within the next week or two.

There is a weird feeling when you hear all these words, cancer, lymph nodes, radioactivity, inside, my first reaction is to be afraid, but we have been reassured there really does not need to be a lot to worry since this is a normal procedure and just to continue down the treatment path.

Thanks all for the well wishes.
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You are speaking with people who see this every day, and much worse.  They are going to be casual about it.  Ask questions, research, seek out second opinions if something bothers you.  

I’m not implying they are wrong.  This is just a much bigger deal to you than it is to them.  Your higher stakes requires more diligence.

 
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