Because my client has a thyroid nodule, the doctors have recommended thyroidectomy, whether or not there is malignancy. Is such a radical step truly needed?

This is not the case, but it is advisable in this circumstance to not relay this information as it is a medical matter and could get you into serious trouble down the line. Many things could happen here as he is at a fork in the road. He need not have serious repercussions from the thyroid problem, but if it does not heal in time, there could be a malignant transformation that greatly worsens things. So what is true today may no longer be true tomorrow, given the pace of change that could be arranged for his benefit. He has many ongoing issues and this is a potential complication here as well in having the decks cleared so that a divine intervention can be effective fully and quickly. There may be enough delay here to leave him at some risk, so it is best to sidestep involvement with that medical decision.