Thyroid Cancer

I am an MD Anderson employee, and there are resources at the website, including access to support groups. She does not have to be treated here to benefit from that.

(GENERAL SITE ADDRESS) http://www.mdanderson.org/

(PATIENT GUIDE TO SUPPORT GROUPS) http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/...

(Thyroid cancer is a "head and neck" cancer. Here is the support group from the list.) Heads Up: For Head & Neck Cancer Patients & Their Caregivers
This support group includes an educational presentation and peer support. Refreshments will be provided. Call ###-###-####.
When: 1st Thursday of each month, 10:00 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
Where: Mays Clinic Building (ACB 4.2680)
Facilitators: April Greene, LMSW; Alicia Rubel, LMSW; Kimberly Unger, LMSW

My mother had thyroid cancer over 20 years ago, and treatment has come a long way since then but she did fine. She had surgery and they got all but 17%, we then went for the radioactive iodine (which she drank) for about 6 months. This procedure killed all but 2%. She then opted to go into the hospital for a massive dose and had to be isolated away from EVERYONE for 48 hours. She was not allowed to leave with anything she took in the room so we bought her a cheap gown and bible. They put her food tray on a long platform stick and put it through the door without going it. I guess that was probably the worst of it, being all alone for 48 hours. The iodine never made her sick, if she felt sick to her stomach they told her to eat lemon, which she never had to do. They suggested she use a toliet that was not shared with others on the day of treatment. I was very impressed with how well treatment went and she has been cancer free for over 20 years now. Thank you GOD.

Hope this helps, God Bless you all.

Hi D.,
Kudos to you and your friends who are being so supportive of your sick friend It is helpful to remind her that everything will be fine, that you and others will be there to encourage and help her. In difficult situations our friends/family help hold us up. God bless all those who support others in need.

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 1982. Since that time, I have become a college graduate, Army wife of 23 years, mother of 5 beautiful, smart children, and have recently finished teacher certification classes to teach special education. The best advice I have to give, is to remember that the side effects of being without the thyroid replacement are just temporary and soon your life can return to normal. While undergoing radiation treatment, she might be advised to keep some distance away from small children and pregnant ladies. Having a support group to talk to helps ward off depression (which can occur from the surgery itself or the thought of cancer.) Check out ACS sites for more info on treatment and potential side effects.
Laura

Mom went through this two years ago and although the treatments after surgery were unpleasant, she's almost a new person now!
Your friend should read EVERYTHING she can get about her diagnoses, treatments, and lifestyle changes. Check online, the library, doctors' offices, friends-of-friends, etc. Ask questions, and if you don't like an answer, ask someone else! Nutrition is extremely important (mom says the post-op no-iodine diet is hell). Hormones are also severely affected. The best way to go into it is informed and positive. Thyroid cancer is not a death sentence, so as another poster here had said, no one should act like it is "the end" for your friend.
I think the best thing Mom said she did was join an online support group for thyroid cancer patients. She's online a lot anyway, so it was also convenient. I'm sure there are in-person groups as well. When she felt that none of the family understood her mood, pain, feeling, etc, she could always find someone in the group who had "been there, done that" and offered support.
Best wishes to your friend!

I know two people that have had there thyroid killed off. When my MIL had cancer she needed help with alot of stuff...even opening water bottles. Have lots of little snacks too. Like peanut butter indivdual servings, cracker sandwiches. Some days you have to force yourself to eat anything and you can only stomache a little bit. Also let your friend know that you are there for her if she needs anything at all. Beg her to call you if she wants a milk shake, frosty from wendys, cookies, icecream, or even a hamburger. Our friend made lots of meals for our MIL low sodium and healthy but some days you just want junk. and with all the weight loss it seemed good. Now the other lady that had thyroid killed off seemed sleepy for while with very few problems...hers was not cancer just extreamly over active. God bless your friend I pray she has a quick recovery.

I can empathize with your friend and I wish her well. I was diagnosed with brain cancer in November 2008 and am still trying to find inner resources. The first thing she definitely has on her side is your desire as her friend to help. The positive support of friends is some of the best therapy! Second, medicine has made great progress in treating cancer. I found a brochure at my Dr.'s office about a group that can be accesed online at CanCare.org. They offer help in the form of volunteers who have been through the same type of cancer and can offer some insights. I have not availed myself to their service yet, but the opportunity is there.
Best wishes to your friend and you, as well.
Cynthia D.

D.,

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 4 yrs ago. The best thing that I found to do is PRAY. Pray for peace, comfort and of course the whole outcome of the situation. It is devasting news, it will be a stressful time and she will be tired/sluggish through the process, but it does get better.
Once she gets regulated on her medication, her life will be back to normal.
Her feelings of overwhelming are normal but she needs to try to keep focused on the outcome of this all and reassure herself that all will be fine. She musn't feel defeated by this monster, but needs to know she's going to be victorious through this all. It's all about a positive attitude!!
Thank God that she has friends that will be by her side to help her through this process. If she has a husband, I hope he's supportive and if she has young kids, she will need help with them during the radioactive treatment and body scans.
May I suggest "Mederma" to put on her scar. It can be purchased at wal-mart. She'll need to ask her surgeon/doctor in regards to when she can start using it.

If there are any questions, fell free to email me.

God Bless,
E.