Some of you already know I’ve been worried about a large lump that recently appeared on my neck. It felt uncomfortable to swallow, so I saw my doctor on Monday. The fact I have no other symptoms set alarm bells ringing for me after I did the inevitable googling.
Today I went to hospital to see an ENT specialist. He felt my neck and noted that my coughing after being touched, showed that the lump is pressing on my voice box. The lump is on my thyroid. The next step was an ultrasound, but I had to go it alone as Jonny had to get to work. The scan showed numerous nodules on the left side of my thyroid, but the right side was completely normal.
The doctor then performed a Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) where a very large needle was inserted into my neck, into the thyroid nodule to take a sample. It was quite painful, I couldn’t swallow and the needle was in for a good few minutes, as they were struggling to penetrate the mass. Eventually they did and they put the slides straight under the microscope. I was sent in to the consultant who sat me down and explained the results.
Whilst they couldn’t be 100% sure from the cytology of my FNA sample, they suspect Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. To you and me… that’s Tumours. Cancer. We are all hoping and praying that it’s benign (not growing). Most thyroid cancers are benign, but the rogue 5% that are malignant are very sinister. The only way to find out is to remove half of my thyroid. If it turns out to be malignant, radiotherapy will follow.
You all know I’ve beaten Cancer before, but that doesn’t make it any less terrifying. A Macmillan nurse was waiting outside the door for me, but it hadn’t sunk in. It still hasn’t really. I keep switching from feeling like I’m just being silly, and all will be fine, to feeling choked up as though I’m harbouring some sort of dark creature inside my body.
I’d like to thank those of you who have already messaged me kind words of support and apologise in advance if sometimes I’m lost for words. I need to be strong and get through this, for my beautiful children and my wonderful husband. I’ve always been a fighter when it comes to illness and I don’t intend to stop fighting.
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What does Thyroid Cancer look like?
Oh my god! I dont know what to say, once is horrific enough but twice! why is it life can be so cruel!
I know nothing i can say will make it better but i am sending you all my support and if there is anything we can do please dont hesitate to give me nudge!
Big hugs to you all, 🙁
Jaime Oliver recently posted..Ranty Friday – Nasty Neighbours
Oh my gosh this is terrible. I hadn’t been aware you were feeling unwell before this – I don’t know how I missed it. I’m so so sorry honey. As you rightly say – you’ve beaten it before and you can do it again xxx
Gemma Mills / Chamberlain recently posted..We’ve moved!
I can’t think of anything remotely helpful to say other than I think you are so brave to share your journey and I’m sending you positive vibes. X
So sorry to hear that, I know I have no idea about the situation but stay strong. Praying that you are in the lucky 95% benign side. XxX
That’s really shit hun.
I hope you don’t have to wait to long for an answer.
Kez x
Kerry Seery recently posted..This Isn’t Me
I am so sorry to hear you are going through all this. I hope with all my heart it’s benign. Stay strong and take care of yourself x
Aww I’ve followed you on twitter for a while and I’m so saddened by this post. Hoping that it isn’t that 5% . Sending love and healing thoughts your way x I can only imagine what you are going through.
I am so sorry to hear this news. I am praying for the very best result for you and your family and that in the meanwhile you can have some peace and lots of love around you. x
So sorry to hear this. Keep strong. You will beat it. Xxx
Oh my, love so sorry to read this news.
Fingers crossed it turns out to be benign. You can fight this, you’ve done it before x
Liz Burton recently posted..Magical Christmas
My thoughts are with you, I do hope the results are positive and you make a speedy recovery, I will be thinking of you x x
Cathy Glynn recently posted..Family Time
I’m sorry, I know how scary this is. My husband went through the same experience 3 years ago. He started having trouble swallowing and pain when he turned his head but no other symptoms. The Dr felt a mass on his thyroid and did an ultrasound on the spot. After a referral to a specialist and a FNB (which he absolutely freaked out during, not good when you have a needle going into your throat) they couldn’t tell if it was cancerous or not, just that the biopsy came up with atypical cells. He had the surgery to remove his entire thyroid and they found that the mass was actually much bigger than thought, it had started to wrap around his windpipe. Thankfully though the biopsy from the surgery came up benign. He has to be on thyroid medication for the rest of his life now and have his levels monitored every few months but that has become easy to deal with. I hope you get the same results as my husband, and it ends up being benign.
* I totally meant FNA, in my head I was thinking Fine Needle Biopsy lol.
I’m so sorry to hear that. I do hope it turns out to be benign. Stay strong (or collapse in a heap and cry occassionally if you need to)…. xxxxxx
Mum in a Hurry recently posted..Rehoming Our Doggy Tia – or not
I can’t think of anything even vaguely helpful to say other than I wish you all the best, it must be so scary.
Emma recently posted..A visit to Kapparis Mini Zoo and Viewpoint
Oh lovely I am so sorry, nothing I can say will make it go away. However I am here any time! Shout, scream or cry! Be strong hugs xx
Chelsea Williams recently posted..One Of These Girls Is Not Like The Other…
Oh no! Such stressful news. As others have said, I hope it turns out to be benign. I wasn’t aware that malignant thyroid cancer had a poor outcome – my Dad had it and was told the only reason they couldn’t completely cure him was that he’d waited too long to go in and be checked. He’d had obvious multiple lumps for months before he did anything about it. It sounds like you’ve caught it much earlier. Fingers crossed and lots of hugs x
Actually Mummy… recently posted..Shopping lists: Wot so Funee?
So sorry to read your news. Keep up the fight, the hugs, the tears and the smiles. All thoughts with you. x
So sorry to hear this, think your very brave xxx
I am so sorry to read this, I truly hope it is benign. Xx
Mummy Glitzer recently posted..St Werburg’s City Farm
Oh hon I am so sorry to hear this! I will be thinking of you and praying that you are in that 95% where it is benign. Sending you lots of hugs x
Rachel Gully recently posted..Everything ‘Kiddi’ under one roof!!
My thoughts are with you, stay strong and positive.
Wishing you well xoxo
Rachael Jess recently posted..AX Paris £9.99 Dresses
Oh no! I really have no words as I can only imagine what you must be going through. I really hope it’s not the c word after all you’ve been through lately. Take care (hugs) xxx
Sending all the positive vibes I can & much hope that you are the 95%. Its a cruel world when you can be affected twice by cancer x
Oh my goodness, so sorry to hear that. Life is dealing you some crappy cards. Its no wonder you sometimes feel lost for words. That’s a really big deal. Fair play to you for staying strong and standing up to it. Wishing you and your family all the best. X
So sorry for what you’re going through. Hope growth is benign and you recover soon. X
Oh my word, I don’t know what to say! How awful. Keep positive, I’m wishing you luck, big hugs x x
Lorna recently posted..Good parenting
I dont know the right words to say , the stress, worry , and emotions you will be going through…i cannot imagine.Hope it is benign xxxx
🙁 How horrible….wishing you all the best xx
That utterly sucks. So sorry to hear it. Will be thinking of you x
Lovely, I am so sorry to hear this. Fingers crossed that it all turns out OK.
Kate recently posted..My birthday hazelnut meringue cake!
Thinking of you .. I hope it all works out for you x
Ninja Cat recently posted..River deep Mountain high
Oh Hun, life is really throwing things at you. Am so sorry to hear this but am going to keep thinking positive for you that its benign. Give your gorgeous kids huge cuddles as they will give you more strength then anything xx
Oh sweetie I am so sorry, I can’t even imagine where your head is at right now. My every thought is with you and your family and all my prayers are for it to be benign xxx
I know you don’t know me, and I know I barely comment but I just wanted to send you a hug across cyberspace. I too have a lump on my neck but have been too scared to go to the Doctor. I shall go on Monday. Sending you all the best wishes in the world. Hugs, Donna x
Big hugs. How scary for you. Fingers crossed for good news.
Susanna recently posted..A river runs through it; a walk in the Thames
Just to say hello, and my wish that you’ll find whatever it is you will need for you and your family to live through this time. My thoughts are with you.
HerMelness Speaks recently posted..Only when I laugh
Fingers crossed for the best diagnosis. (( )) for you and your family.
Huge positive thoughts that it turns out to be benign and you can deal with it as quickly as possible. So sorry you are going through this. Wishing you lots of strength, carry on with that fantastic positive attitude of yours! 🙂 xx
Emma recently posted..Where the Heart is…
Oh Hun I’m so so sorry to read this – you have all my love and support. I wish I had the right words you are so incredibly brave and I have no doubt you can fight this xxxx
I’m really sorry to hear this news, I know how it feels to be part of a family going through this. but you will get through this, you Mums are incredible, amazing and real superheros! You know it won’t be easy but with all the love and support around you, you Will get through it.
lots of happy thoughts and love
Amy
I’m so sorry to hear this. Wishing you a quick recovery in your brave battle!
Ah my lovely, I am sorry this is happening, I have followed you on Twitter for a while, love reading what you are up to. My thoughts and prayers are with you x x x
Emma Wright recently posted..Keeping the kids happy on long journeys – guest post
I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say! I hope it turns out to be benign and you’ll be ok. XX
Michelle Willis recently posted..Saturday Is Caption Day – 12/01/13
I’m so sorry to hear this. Will be thinking of you, stay strong lovely
Xx
I’m so sorry to hear this, keep fighting xx
sarahmumof3 recently posted..Sew Simple – The easy way to repair frayed hems
Oh that’s crap, sending you positive vibes and praying for you xxx
Cakesphotoslife (Angie) recently posted..A Sad Day for Jessops (Socialpix)
Gosh I hope u r ok xxx Will be keeping everything crossed for you x
WallyMummy recently posted..Things you should know about owning a toddler…
Just so unfair! Wishing you a speedy recovery. Kick cancer up the arse!
So sorry to hear (((hugs))). I pray for a positive outcome for you. xx
Pinkoddy recently posted..Some fresh air
I have just picked up on this one and had no idea. How worrying for you and of course you are going to go through the whole spectrum of emotions. So hoping it is the straight forward benign option that sounds most probable. Hugs to you my lovely and keep us posted.
Coombemill recently posted..Silent Sunday / Project 52
I’m so sorry to read this Emma, I’ll be praying for you. Mich x
Oh hunny, I don’t have the right words I’m afraid but am thinking and praying for you
I am so very sorry to read this Emma, I’m not sure how I managed to miss your post :(( I will be praying alongside you and Mich. Stay strong x x
Oh hun, I am so sorry to hear about this. And you have been through so much lately as well.
Sending lots of positive thoughts your way and will keep everything crossed.
Big hugs hun
Laura x
Laura Huggins recently posted..New Years Resolutions/Getting Organised
keep strong! (I know you will). sending you lots of love and hugs xxx
The Beesley Buzz recently posted..Joshua’s Jokes for January
I had a tumor on my parathyroid and thyroid a few years ago. They removed it and half the thyroid. Thankfully it was benign. I pray yours is the same.
I am so sorry to hear this Hun and I really hope, with every teeny tiny bone in my body that it doesn’t grow anymore and can be removed. I can’t believe you’ve beaten cancer before you really are a fighter.
Keep smiling & stay positive, you are an inspiration To us all xxx
I am so, so sorry to read this =[ I really hope it is benign. I cant imagine how you are feeling or that anything anyone could say would make you feel any better but I hope the support from everyone helps a little xx
purplecrazymum recently posted..A quiet week
So sorry to read this. I really hope it comes back benign x
Emily (@amummytoo) recently posted..No chicken-licken’ tofu curry (kid’s recipe)
Oh goodness! I had no idea. Hope you are okay, off to check your other posts x
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