Thanks for the advice. "Speaking with others who have undergone the procedure helps a lot. You are very thoughtful. alisande- Thanks for linking the info from NYU Med Ctr. It is very helpful and clear. - just the right amount of detail. Caroline- It is reassuring that you feel you could have gotten by without IV tranquilizer. I am bringing the ultra scan and they will use it to locate the nodules also. marie- I am glad that you shared about what to wear. I was wondering. I plan to wear a modest scoop neck shirt or blouse that buttons, but I will ask for a hospital top (hope it is not paper). Was the bandage more than a bandaid or two? I accepted a substitute teaching job for Thursday in the middle school where I used to work before retirement. I should be able to handle a little discomfort but do not want to appear dramatic with a big bandage. Were you able to go about your normal business the next day? Thanks

yea! glad you made it through! crossing fingers for you

Good luck to you,and as your dr said,thyroid cancer is very curable,and not as life threatning as other forms of cancer.Also you can live quite well without your thyroid.I know because I have been doing it for many years. Mine started in 1970,and was treated for years with just meds,then it started growing again,so I had the surgery,where they took out the right side,scraped the isthmus,and took a1/3 of the left. 1st surgery was july 76. Then I was put back on meds that I take every morning as soon as my feet hit the floor. Fast forward to 20 years,almost to the day later,started having problems again,test and scans done and what was left of the left side was growing again,so back to surgery I go,and the rest was removed and that was in 1996.I still take the little pill every day,and have had ear surgery,knee replacement and breast cancer surgery and chemo and i'm still hanging in there. I did ask my dr if I would be able to sing after as he had told me I may not be able to talk right away,after the second surgery.He said did you sing before?? I said no,but I thought maybe you could do a miracle while you're in there!!!! LOL No one can tell that I have had 2 thyroid surgeries unless I tell them as I have no scar whatsoever.The dr cut into the crease of my neck,and it isn't even noticeable. Good luck to you,will add you to my prayer list. Oh by the way,they told me with the first surgery that it was a carcinoma,but i'd probably die from something else before I died from the thyroid.I'm 75 now and still going strong,Thank GOD!!!! Kathi

My DH was angry to see that Medicare was charged $300 for a PSA test from his physical last month. He's mid-seventies. His PSA numbers were never 'interesting' back when the test was appropriate for his age (prior to 70). We did our physicals at the same time. The lab gave me the option of declining the cholesterol test because I would have to pay the entire cost for it. I did decline it. (Perfect cholesterol is my only health claim to fame.) I wish DH had known he was getting the PSA; he would have declined it as inappropriate. Just because a test or procedure isn't Out Of Pocket doesn't make it appropriate. Jasdip -- Why is your DH having this test if he has no prostate? Is it indicated because he DID have a problem? (I don't understand.)