Good friend has Thyroid Cancer

[AmRivlin]

I got a phone call last night from a close friend. This guy used to be my employer and over a few years of working we became good friends. On a fluke chance I noticed he was taking medication for a Thyroid problem. This was a few years ago, I never mentioned anything to him about it. I since moved to California for a new job, and while I still talk to him and have a beer on a trip home or visa versa we have since gone our own directions in life.

Flash forward to last night, he phoned a few times and we bit*hed about the poor umpiring in the Angels game, and relished in the Cardinals success, but something was off. After a few more calls from him, I got the point that something was really wrong. He wasn’t completing his thoughts and kept calling and making little or no sense. At first I thought he was just drunk, normal for him to call me in that fashion, especially after a Cardinals victory. Yet last night I think I even hear whimpering. Long story short, it seems he has thyroid cancer. He wouldn’t get into the details about it, and kept apologizing for dumping this on me. I tried to be there for him, but in my 24 short years I have never known someone with cancer or lost a close relative.

How can I cheer up my friend? to be honest I thought he was going to jump off a bridge last night. He is going for a second opinion, but he sounded very frightened, which is highly unusual for him.

Is thyroid cancer serious, can it be removed before spreading?

[Jenny]

Oh hon :( That sucks. I hope he gets better! He'll be in our thoughts & prayers!

[nickel]

research on the net about thyroid cancer to get some solid answers for yourself.

hopefully he can have his thyroid removed, and any other indicated cancer treatment for that area, and just continue on with hormone suppliments that replicate what his thyroid would've provided.

it is interesting that he was on thyroid med and now had developed cancer there. makes you wonder.

of course this is scary for him. be there for him and hopefully he will open up to you about all of what is going on.

[esme]

How can I cheer up my friend? to be honest I thought he was going to jump off a bridge last night. He is going for a second opinion, but he sounded very frightened, which is highly unusual for him.


is he married? if not and you're good friends you can ask if he'd like some company on that next visit (2nd opinion) or to call you as soon as he's been there if he needs to talk .....

because once he gets that second opinion then it's really going to sink in ....

:disa: sad to hear ....... but don't be negative around him .....

[LegendKiller]

It is certainly not a good prognosis, considering that is what got Rhenquist.

Steph has a severe thyroid problem from Hashimotos Disease (sp?). Basically the immune system aggressively attacks the thyroid and destroys it. She has very inflamed glands, which she gets an ultrasound done every 6mo to check for cancer, if they get too much larger they will remove them.

She was on Lavoxyl for 2 years and just switched to 200mg synthroid, almost the highest dose they make.

I am extremely fightened of this scenario playing out.

Do some research and support your friend. Thyroid sufferers need all of the help they can get, it is a tough and extremely debilitating problem. One minute they can be full of energy, the next minute they can be hybernating. Hair can fall out, skin can get extremely dry, moods can switch, and weight can fluctuate drastically.

Make sure he goes and sees a few endo doctors, some have different opinions on treatment and drugs.