I wish I could offer experience with the surgery and other issues - but not much help there - but am sure you will get all the info you can first and sending you the best...

I do have a friend that had her thyroid taken out in her early 20's/ was immediately identified as cancer and caught totally by chance while at the doc for another reason - she had it taken out - then went thru about a week in the hospital taking oral radiation (was some years ago) that did make her very sick for a few days - shes fine now almost 20 years later but is dependent on her thyroid med daily....

So the trick for you, if surgery necessary I know - is the right balance to prepare before and after to deal with any conflicts in your body ... we're certainly got the right group here to help...

Hang in there..... and again, sending very good wishes for your doctors and you to be able to make the best decision.....

last year I approached it by making it very clear I would not have any surgery IF I did not have an anathesiologist who is familiar with the repercussions that affect neuro issues and auto-immune issues as well. When I made an analogy of the possible s/e's on DEMEYELINATION as in MS the light bulbs went off....It was no problem after that. I hope this is a comfort. I was very clear and concise on this issue every single interview, doc appointment and hospital prep interview...evey step of the way-so no one could 'forget' it.

I'm going to post this not to scare you but to give you information. One year ago my daughter's best friend had part of her thyroid removed, the cells examined and then it was decided to remove the rest of it a week later due to iffy cells. Vivian was kept overnight the second time so they could monitor her since she had problems with her throat swelling the week before. Family and friends left by nine that evening, two hours later they got a phone call that she had to be crash carted, her throat had swollen shut and shut down her airway. No one seems to know exactly how long she was without oxygen, Viv lingered for three weeks and then passed on the second anniversary of my daughter's death. She left behind three small children and hubby, she was twenty-eight years old and renovating her first home, life was good for them. All because the anethesiologist choose not to put her on a heart monitor, the lawsuits are pending but this hospital screwed up big time, and in the end, no cancer cells. Make sure you are monitored for the first 24 hours, Vivian was an awesome woman, beautiful, and vivacious, this didn't need to happen, another case of being your own advocate and having family to make demands too. My daughter died because Tacoma General misdiagnosed her and wouldn't admit they were over their heads and two years later Vivian, same hospital, two young women that didn't need to die. I remember Vivian coming into Angie's room, bursting into tears and saying "Oh Angela, what have they done to you?" We moved my girl to the University of Washington medical center and they had her off the ventilator in four days and on the road to recovery. She went into septic shock the day I was to fly her home to us for rehab, her liver couldn't come back from the second shock and we lost her twenty one days later. God I miss my little hippie chick, thank god we have her little one to raise or I don't know where my head would have gone. I am rambling now, just want you to know you need to watch for swelling and don't go home if you have any, make them watch you!

Jannaw:

I read your post with such sadness. I am so sorry for your loss. And your daughter's friend. Oh my goodness!!!! Such unnecessary sadness.

I am however happy that you get to raise the little one.

May you have peace and joy with that child!!!

Melody

I am trying to pull things together today. I think I will return to the surgeon who removed my gallbladder (initially my first choice for surgery). He and my Pulmonary Doc/Critical Care doc are familiar with my health problems and I feel safer in this environment. I cannot go into surgery wondering if someone will know what to do about the Prednisone issue. While I like the doctors I have seen at the school, I have only recently been seen there and don't feel they are overly familiar with my history.

The slides from all 3 biopsies are being sent to an out-of-state Pathologist, whose name I can't remember, but he writes pathology textbooks and the hospital here consults with him on occasion... This makes me feel a little better having someone else look at them...

Cathie

Smart idea on the pathologist. I'll have an update for ya on Thrusday but looks like I may be bound for surgery in Texas on 7/24

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Cathie