Certainty!

I had my second follow up appointment with my new S'burg endocrinologist, Dr. W, on Friday. He provided some good news that I'd like to share with you.

1. The ultrasound performed in February that revealed "an enlarged lymph node" was reviewed by his radiologist friend who determined the "enlarged lymph node" was just scar tissue left over from my thyroidectomy. (His radiologist friend compared my ultrasound performed in February to my previous ultrasound performed in December of 2008 to make this determination.)
2. The CT Scan performed in February as a result of "an enlarged lymph node" seen on my February ultrasound did reveal enlarged lymph nodes under my chin; however, the thyroid doesn't drain into those lymph nodes so likelihood of a reoccurence in that region is extremely low. Enlarged nodes were probably due to my kick-butt cold at that time.
3. The blood test ordered in February to re-check my thyroglobulin levels (of which a previous test revealed a trace--according to my previous endocrinologist) came back clean!! (The reappearance of thyroglobulin is an accurate indication that thyroid cancer has returned.)

According to Dr. W, he doesn't feel we need to be concerned at this point. He feels a thyrogen-stimulated whole body scan would be costly and overkill. (Gee, a MD who actually considers whether a test is truly needed...interesting concept in today's medical realm!)

Our game plan is to check thyroglobulin levels again in two months and CONSIDER doing another CT scan in eight months to evaluate those lymph nodes. (We may opt not to do another CT scan b/c one CT scan equals 50 chest xrays as far as radiation exposure is concerned. And I have had my fair share of radiation exposure, thank you very much.)

So thank you, my friends, for your positive thoughts and prayers!