I think I would probably explain your situation to your Dr and then ask
if it was them what would they do? Or their child or spouse...I seem to
get better answers that way.Also I will check into one more thing...the
NCCN usually has guidelines and flow charts on what to do based on
findings for different kinds of cancers, I have used this in the past to
determine if the correct protocol is being used by the
physician.........Good Luck

Christin
--- In ThyroidDisease2@yahoogroups.com, "Laurie" <webpoet1@...> wrote:
>
> I posted on this group last earlier in the summer: when I had a FNA
> test for thyroid nodules; which at the time I was told was benign.
> I then desubscribed from the list, figuring: end of story.
> I then heard from my primary care physician, who had reviewed the
> results and one further research, consulting with an endocrinologist:
> and she now feels that we need to do a further test: a radio iodine
> uptake test: the reason is that although the results were benign, they
> were at the upper margin of benign: close to the limit between benign
> and indeterminate. I am not TOO upset; because a biopsy that is benign
> but close to indeterminate doesn't sound like it is clearly cancer.
>
> But there are a couple of logistical challenges ahead for me:
> my partner and I are going on a 1 week cruise two weeks from now.
> After that, I will be out of paid time off for the entire year: I mean
> literally: that if I get a cold, and absolutely can't come in, I have
> to work a Saturday that same week to make it up. There is a clause
that
> we are allowed unpaid leave: under FMLA: which the medical test above
> would fall under: but I would like to avoid the unpaid two half-days
if
> possible.
>
> I am going to try to get the test done at a facility close to my work,
> if possible: because this would avoid having to drive one hour each
way
> from work to get the iodine, then back to work the same day, then the
> same thing for the test itself the next day.
> That's not only a lot of time driving but a lot of gas: the problem is
> that if she is not affiliated with a hospital or facility near where I
> work she will not be able to allow this.
>
> the other logistical thing is; what are the next steps if the nodules
> show up as "cold": I understand that hot or warm nodules are rarely
> cancerous but cold nodules might or might not be: since the biopsy
> was "indeterminate": does this mean they immediately take out my
> thyroid? Or will they repeat the biopsy?
>
> the other logistical thing was that I broke my ankle this past
February
> (the reason why they found the nodules: they had done a neck xray to
> make sure my neck wasn't injured when I fell): and could not go to see
> my mother in California this year, but figured, that now I am
recovered
> from the ankle injury I'll go see her in February 2009. But if they
> have to take out my thyroid, that takes my vacation time for 2009,
> and plus I would not have recovered enough: she is well (at least fo
> rnow: although at age 85 it is always day to day) and February was the
> earliest, weather wise, I could see her: but I am sure she will
> understand waiting. Am also not sure what the recovery period would
> beafter surgery, for walking: I like to go on a multi day peace walk
in
> Nevada each year when I go to see my mother: and I had looked upon
this
> as another affirmation of being recovered from the ankle injury: but
> can give up on this, because it is more important to preserve my life
> if there is a chance the nodules are malignant. But it is just
> disappointing.
>
> Do any of you know what the suggested next steps woudl be:
> with nodules at the borderline between benign and indeterminate, IF
the
> scan reports they are "cold"?
> Other background is: there are 4 nodules. 3 are just cysts.
> the one that was biopsied was partly cystic and partly solid:
> and is I think around 1.5 centimeter in diameter: which is pretty big.
> But I had no symptoms, and my thyroid levels were totally normal
> (but isn't it a better indication of it being benign if your thyroid
> tgests are either hypo or hyperthyroid?)
>
> That is: would they just have my thyroid out, or repeat tests?
>
> Would it be appropriate if the former for me to get a second opinion:
> and if so, would an endicronologist, or an oncologist be a better
> choice?
>
> I know I am putting the horse before the cart, but this all happened
so
> fast: I was told all was well, then I suddenly got a call this last
> week. The test itself was in June.
>
> It was lucky in a sense that the call came so late: had it come say in
> July, the test would have been scheduled for August: in which case I
> would have had to cancel my cruise; since my employer's policy is
> clear: if you use your paid time off, NO unpaid time except FMLA,
> and I would have been short one day (although I think they might have
> worked out a way for me to work on a Saturday informally).
>
> Laurie
>