Hi there, I know this post is old but I am currently finding myself in a similar situation with a thyroid nodule that you were in. Two weeks ago I felt a lump in my throat when I swallowed. Had an ultrasound one week ago and found 2 nodules one in my right lobe and one in my isthmus. They are TR 4 lesions suspicious for cancer. I am having a biopsy tomorrow and I am scared. No visual or palpaple lumps on outside of neck though. For last couple of days it feels like someone is sticking a finger or two on my trachea. Fullness and pressure there in the lower left of my neck right next to my sternal notch. Can I ask how big your nodule was and if after your surgery did it improve? Did you feel it when you swallowed too? Thanks for your help. I hope you have gotten yours sorted out well now and are doing well. Sabrina

Hi,

I'm in a very similar situation. U4 nodule, first FNA inconclusive and waiting on results of second. I'm struggling to cope. Have you had your biopsy results?

Hi again, yes please do keep me posted. I would like to know how you are getting on. One thing I remember my moms surgeon saying which we found reassuring while awaiting her surgery was that often times we worry about cancer in the larger nodules and statistically there is a greater likelyhood that it is the smaller ones. My mothers largest nodule was 3.5 centimeters when it was biopsied so it was a bit bigger than yours and her surgery was scheduled for two months later. When I asked if that was okay to wait that long not knowing if it was cancer she was not the least bit concerned. She said "it would be totally fine to go another 4-6 months if we had to. We have time to take care of this and it is not an emergency." It made us feel easier to get through the holidays without excessive worry. One thing I wonder in your case, from your ultrasound... did they note any lymph nodes that looked suspicious or swollen? I would think if there were no lymph node findings that should also put the mind at ease a bit. Take care! Xo

Thank you, your messages are really helping me. Nothing was suspicious on the lymph nodes on the scan. Thank you for the info on the waiting. That's the bit I'm finding really hard because I just think if it is cancer then what is it doing to the rest of my body and that's when I start to get seriously scared. My doctor hasn't said one reassuring thing to me. I know he doesn't know what it is yet but nothing he has said has made me feel any better. I just want the operation to get it out and hopefully get all this over with xx

Thyroid cancer is extremely unlikely to do anything to the rest of your body, even if it is cancer, which it very likely isn't.

Looking at old photos, my nodule is visible for at least four or five years before I got diagnosed, so who knows how long I had cancer. 5-10 years maybe? Could even be longer for all I know. In that time, it had no effect whatsoever on me and was only diagnosed when a doctor noticed the lump on my neck and said it should be checked out.

Worst case scenario, they have to remove your thyroid and some lymph nodes. That is really as bad as it is likely to get. Not fun, but...probably no worse than something like having your appendix removed.

By the way, my nodule was 105mm, of which 67cm was cancerous and I was and am still absolutely fine.

I have to think that not finding anything unusual in the lymph nodes is a good thing! Same goes for my moms ultrasounds and mine too.  I feel like this is always positive but I surely understand until you get that definitive answer you worry about cancer being in there. If I let my mind go there I could think the same thing too as I know that Bethesda category 2 Benign still runs a slight risk 3% cancer was missed but honestly, this kind of thinking does us zero bit of good. For all any of us know we could be growing a brain tumor as we speak.. not to be morbid or anything at all just to emphasize we truly cannot do more than what we know about and we have to learn to accept that to the extent that we are careful not to rob ourselves of any joy or peace during the waiting times. I know I know... easier said than done! :))) I hope you have a nice relaxing weekend anyway because why not, right?! Just take a deep breath and say "today, all is well." And give yourself permission to take some time off from the worrying. It will do you loads of good! Xo

Thank you so much for your message. It really helps to hear that x

Thank you. I'm trying so hard to get it out of my head but failing so bad. At the moment I am still on maternity leave (not at all how I expected it to be) so I have a lot of free time which is not helping. Going to keep trying though x

Hey, hope you are ok. Just to let you know I'm now on the list for surgery to have the nodule removed x

Hi there, thank you for letting me know. Were you able to get any more information on the pathology of the nodule? I assume you are feeling ready to get it out regardless. I pray you will have a smooth operation and speedy healing. I hope you will keep me posted! Xo, Sabrina

Hey, they said it's suspicious, 70% chance of being benign. I have to wait up to 3 months for surgery, eek, but yes am very ready for it to be taken out. It's taken 3 months to get to this point xx

Three months will go by fast. I would just try to focus on positive thoughts and preparing for the surgery and before you know it, it will be time. I am sure that is easier said than done but at least you will be on the other side of this before the end of summer! There is a really good book called peaceful on purpose by Joel Osteen. It's a quick little read and has like 7 chapters.  I read it during the week I was waiting on biopsy and results.. I did one short chapter a day, that was about all that my anxiety would allow me to handle that week! It really did help me though and worth checking out. Just try to be kind to yourself, eating right and trying to give your mind rest while you're passing the time. It will put you in a much better place physically and mentally going into your procedure. I'm always here to chat anytime too. Take care! :) Sabrina

Three months will go by fast. I would just try to focus on positive thoughts and preparing for the surgery and before you know it, it will be time. I am sure that is easier said than done but at least you will be on the other side of this before the end of summer! There is a really good book called peaceful on purpose by Joel Osteen. It's a quick little read and has like 7 chapters.  I read it during the week I was waiting on biopsy and results.. I did one short chapter a day, that was about all that my anxiety would allow me to handle that week! It really did help me though and worth checking out. Just try to be kind to yourself, eating right and trying to give your mind rest while you're passing the time. It will put you in a much better place physically and mentally going into your procedure. I'm always here to chat anytime too. Take care! :) Sabrina