Yes, I had my whole thyroid removed when I was 18 and now have cancer in my lymph nodes. The reason for that is that some thyroid cancer cells were left behind when the thyroid was removed, too small to see on a scan or detect on a blood test, which 'latched on' to lymph nodes at some point. So, if you don't have thyroid cancer now, then you definitely cannot get thyroid cancer cells spontaneously popping up once your thyroid is removed. The 20% tax rebate is for medical expenses about $2000. It's certainly a help (I can't wait till tax time!), but not the same as a subsidy. Just grateful that I am not in the States where everything would cost so much more, and insurance is even more difficult to deal with. ... View more