Hi Wannie,

I went through a similar situation in November, a solid 1 1/2 inch thyroid
tumor but on my left side. It was benign. However, mine is painful and
causing severe hoarseness. My doctor wouldn't take it out because it was
benign. But this same doctor removed someone else's that I know, same
situation, recently. I think it's to save insurance company dollars that he
won't remove mine. The other person I know of, is a doctor so of course, they
are more concerned about him. His wife was telling me about him, she happens
to be my dog's vet. Of course, she doesn't think it's because he's a doctor
that they removed his, but she's baffled as to why I'm being treated
differently. She said it doesn't make any sense to her.

They wanted 3 good samples to biopsy but my tumor was very deep and low in my
throat so it was difficult to get the samples. I needed 7 needle attempts to
get them. The pain level varies from person to person, but because mine
already hurt, the procedure was very painful. Don't want to scare you, but I
won't lie about it either. They will use a local anesthetic to numb the area
first, which doesn't hurt much at all, that part anyway.

I was very upset with my doctor for not removing mine. Be glad your doctor
wants to err on the safe side. Maybe the ultrasound showed yours is more
likely to become malignant than mine though, if I want to really give my
doctor the benefit of the doubt, which I don't.

However, I sought a second opinion and when I got that one, this doctor
agreed with the first doctor but said he'd have another pathologist look at
my biopsy slides. Well, it turns out the specimens were not adequate to be
sure it is a benign tumor so they wanted to do a second biopsy to which I
said, "No way!" I did agree to another ultrasound and my tumor is growing.
Now I really insisted on removal. So now the second doctor said he'd agree to
refer me to a surgeon to remove it if the surgeon agrees. He better agree, is
what I say. I don't care to sit around waiting for this to become malignant.
I've been hoarse and in pain since the first week of September. Plus, the
second doctor said he'd advise I remove the entire thyroid instead of just
half now, since they are in there. I also have 3 small fluid filled cysts,
two on the opposite side and one on the side with the solid tumor, but am
told these other 3 are not of concern.  My appointment with the surgeon is
this Wednesday.
Be glad your doctor is being careful on your behalf instead of worrying about
the insurance company's bottom line. But when you have yours removed get an
experienced thyroid surgeon.
Best wished to you and keep me posted. I'll say a prayer for you.
Tia West




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