I know about the thyroid thing. I had my thyroid removed some time back because it was full of suspicious growths. The pathology report even mentioned “the presence of giant multi-nucleated cells,” which scared the bejesus out of me, but here I am more than seven years later, none the worse for wear. I remember how frightening it was, but when they tell you there’s a very low probability of malignancy, they mean it, and even when there IS malignancy, it’s almost always easily removed completely. Try to keep that in mind, although I know it’s impossible not to worry.
Coldfire, I hope your uncle comes through this all right. That sounds truly awful for him and for your family.
I’ll be thinking of you and yours, Eutychus and Coldfire.