After cancer?

[RodeoQueen]

How long do we have to be monitored after TT and RAI?? How long will it take after the RAI we will know how it is going? How many scans will I get???
Heather

[ChitChatNine]

I go for ultrasounds every 6mos and bloodwork 1X year BUT I still have 1/2 my thyroid intact so no ck. in the blood for cancer recurrance.

As you recall, I have a 3.0-4.0mm nodule on the intact side that we watch like a hawk and I had two small incidental findings of pap micro's in the gland after surgery.

So far it's stable for 1.5yrs. with no change and looks like the ones that were totally benign removed from the other side 1.5yrs ago.

Cheryl

[utahmomma]

You'll do great RQ!!!

Yes, blood work every 3-6 months.  Followup scans annually for a few years then just monitoring your blood levels.   But, hey, you're alive, right?!?  :-)

Keep the good attitude going - it will help you get through this so much better.   If you feel down, this is the place to turn for a *lot* of shoulders to lean on too.

We're here for you.  You go girl!


Utahmomma

[RodeoQueen]

I lovee this BOARD YEEEHHHHHHHAW Here we go again!!!! Doc looks good should keep my mind of the surgery!!!! HA HA HA~! I will be back SOON with path reports and all!!! WISH ME LUCK!!!! I am so ready again!!! I will beat this!! So many of us have it or have had it it is strang that they even have stats!!!
Off we go 6am at the Huntsman in SLC utah!!! Could not be in better hands!!!!
Rodeo Queen
(OF YOU EVER NEED TO GO THERE ASK FOR DR BRANDON BENTZ!) HA HA

[shannon828]

My doctor doesn't order scans unless something turns up in the bloodwork (every three months) or ultrasounds (every six months).  I believe this is the new protocol for thyca management.  Not sure when things get spaced further apart, maybe when you get a few clean tests in a row?

Best of luck with your surgery tomorrow!!!  Triple smile club for you :)

[nissah46]

I had my 1st RAI and scan in Oct. 2006. Follow-up scan in April 2007  and again a scan in April 2008. Each time I went on the LID and had a tracer dosed of RAI. I don't know yet, but next year i may just have an ultrasound, depending on what the doctor says.

[Devrie21]

Yep, til the rest of our lives.  Not so bad after yrs gone by.  I get tested and scan on a yearly basis.  Kind of like your yearly physical exams, it becomes second nature.  Right now it's all new and frustrating, I remember, but after 17 yrs of it, not so bad.  I'm still learning,  Thank God for this Community! :)

Lots of Luck!

[dscoochie]

Unfortunately, for the rest of our lives! :(

I believe initially, its every few months, then every six months, then every year...

I was told that a few days after the RAI I will have a whole body scan, and then bloodwork will be taken every few months, with scans every year, provided everything is clear.

I was also made aware today, that sometimes RAI takes up to a year to kill off all thyroid cells, so dont be alarmed if your bloodwork numbers and / or scan isnt completely perfect right away.

I'm tired of learning about all this stuff...

But, like CC9 says, knowledge is power! :)

Good luck tomorrow!  I'll be thinking of you!