Okay I found the link you
need............http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/thyr\
oid.pdf This should help!




--- 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
>