That's good to hear that you have a date for the surgery. I had thyroid surgery in 1999 to remove part of my thyroid because I too had a nodule that was growing. They removed both parts when they found it was cancerous. I was in the hospital for 5 days and I had the radiation drink 2 months later (they had to wait for me to go hypothyroid first).
It has been 7 years since my surgery and I've seen a thyroid specialist every 6 mos for blood work and to get my prescription of Synthyroid. I have been totally fine.
I think you'll feel alot better after you have the lobe removed so that you won't have to worry about it growing anymore.
Sending you good wishes.
Jenn
p.s> bring a lot of magazines/books to read when you're in the hospital because it can get pretty boring, I also ordered a tv for my hospital room.