Thyroid Ultrasound

So a few days after my first pre-natal appointment, I had yet another ultrasound, but this time I didn't get to see my baby. This one was on my neck. I have to say, with this being my first non-baby US the experience is quite a bit different. The atmosphere in the room is not one of excitement. There are no pictures taken to be shared, and you aren't looking excitedly at the screen.

I had to lie on the table and stare at the ceiling without swallowing. (Thankfully that really wasn't an issue as my mouth was too dry to swallow). It is also a little hard to breathe with someone pushing on your neck, while nervous and laying down, but it is possible (in case you were wondering).

I tried to watch the screen out of the corner of my eye, but after a few minutes my eyes started to hurt, and then the tech got on to me for moving my head so she couldn't get a clear picture, so no matter how good I might be at reading ultrasounds, I had very little to go on. Here is what I had:

• It took about 30 minutes, when I had read online it took about 15.
• From the corner of my eye it looked like there was bloodflow to/through the nodule, which I assume is not good.
• She changed probes 3 times. I don't know if that is normal, but it has never happened during a baby US. 
• The ultrasound tech looked concerned if I had to guess, and she immediately went and told to radiologist what she found before she said I could go. 

Not much to go on, but I didn't leave feeling comforted or reassured that this was "probably nothing". My midwife was supposed to call and let me know anything I needed to.

On the way home I called my aunt to talk and catch up. I told her everything I had to go on, and said I know it probably doesn't mean anything, and I was just being paranoid. I told her I wouldn't worry unless they called and magically had an opening for the endocrinologist. (My appt was scheduled for 2 months away on Aug19th, their first available appointment). I put it from my mind and did my best not to worry.

However, Murphy's Law strikes again.  That afternoon I picked up the little man from daycare and then went to go pick up Adam. When I arrived at daycare I was on the phone with my best friend, so I just left it in the car on bluetooth while I ran in to grab him. Of course in the 2 minutes I was inside, my midwife calls.

Things you know are not a good sign when you get a message from a Dr.:

• She starts to tell you something 3 times and then interrupts herself and says call me. 
• She tells you to call her at anytime that evening. She will be waiting for your call.
• And that Endo, who didn't have an appt free until 2 months from now, magically had a cancellation and you have an appointment for the next morning.

I immediately called her back, but seeing as it was 5:15, I had to go through the after hours service, who could only call the on call midwife (not mine) and have the on call midwife call mine and have her call me. I finally heard from her after an agonizing 2 hours.

She said "One of my nodules was very concerning". Wait- ONE of? Apparently I have 2 large nodules on my thyroid.

The Ultrasound report puts it "nice" and concisely.  

The right lobe measures 6.8 x 2.0 x 1.7 cm. A heterogeneous, mixed cystic/solid nodule containing micropapillary calcifications is seen in the mid right thyroid gland. This measures 2.6 x 2.4 x 2.2 cm. 

The left lobe measures 6.6 x 1.7 x 1.6 cm. A mixed cystic/solid nodule measuring 1.5 x 1.0 x 2.6 cm is seen in the left lower pole.  

Impression: Bilateral thyroid nodules as above. Both meet sonographic criteria for fine needle aspiration/biopsy. The right nodule is highly suspicious.

In case you weren't sure, "highly suspicious" are words that make you heart stop a little when about a lump in your body...especially when you are pregnant.

 I guess on the bright side, I would have answers sooner rather than later because of that "fortuitous" cancellation......

Here is a quick 3d model of the size of each nodule for reference...

(This post was written July 8)