Well, here is the latest....We got the pathology report back today. The large tumor was benign. No sign of cancer. But the small one that we didn't know as there was cancer. The little guy was only 5 mm, and we are feeling like it is a blessing in disguise that the needle biopsy came back unknown on the big tumor because otherwise we never would have done the surgery and wouldn't have known the cancerous one was there until it was 2 or 3 times bigger than it is now. Because it is so small, the dr is quite confident that we caught it early. But, we will now have to go in and have the rest of the thyroid removed. Here is something we didn't know about cancer - when you have cancer, no matter what kind it is (breast, thyroid, lymphnode, etc) you can remove the tumors or whatever and then when and if the cancer spreads, it is that original tissue that is growing back somewhere else in your body. So, the way that they test if the thyroid cancer to grew back is they do a thryoglobulin test to see if there are any thyroid cells in your body. Since the thyroid will be gone, if the test is positive, then they will know the cancer is back, even though it may now be growing in your bones or lungs or wherever. So, they will remove the whole thyroid, kill off all the other thyroid cells that they possible didn't get in the surgery with an iodine radiation pill, and then we will do blood tests every year to see if there is any thyroid cells in his body.
The cure rate is 95%. We feel really good about that. But, most of all we feel annoyed about having to go back into surgery. Dave is scheduled for May 8th right now. (But we are thinking about doing it a day before at a different hospital just for different scenery than the last surgery). We feel very confident in our Dr. and are grateful that he caught this for us. Because Dave's thyroid will be gone, he will be on replacement hormone for the rest of his life, and although they say it might be tricky getting the meds regulated at first, once they are regulated he should be great. If nothing else, it will give him a "reason" to be grouchy for a while. (Like he needs a reason, right?)
Thanks again for your prayers and concern. Hopefully after May 8th you can stop praying for us, right? What a wild ride this year has been!
3 comments:
Kate, I hope you dont mind that I have been keeping an eye on your blog... I've been keeping my husband and sisters posted on the status of your hubby. I am so glad that the doctors caught it early. God works in mysterious ways. Your family is in our prayers.
I feel for your family. You guys have been through so much. You and dave need to drop the kiddos off in Twin Falls Idaho and you and Dave go on a nice little get away! For reals We love you guys and if there is anything we can do please let us know. We do pray for you guys too!
What a year you guys have had! I am so sorry to hear the news, but so glad they have found it and can now treat it. PLEASE let me know what we can do to help. I know I'm a horrible neighbor and friend. But please let us do something for you!
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