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Total Thyoidectomy for Substernal Goiter
My TT for substernal goiter is quickly approaching (next Tues, May 16th) and would appreciate any information from those who have gone through this surgery re length of surgery, pain, recuperation period, and any other general information to calm my "frazzled" nerves !!!
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much!
Hey - I'm thinking about Carole today and praying that everything goes well for her!!!!!!!!!!
Tia - hope you are holding up ok today! I know for me the day before was the worst day, but the morning of the day of the surgery, I woke up and it was like a "calm" had come over me - I guess b/c I knew I was going to get it over with finally!
I will praying for you tomorrow and thinking of you too!!!!!!!! I will send you all the best wishes for every case scenario - so I hope tonight you eat up well and get some sleep!!!!!!!!! We'll be looking for your post as soon as you are up for it!
Maccie - hope you are still feeling as good as you were yesterday - I'm stil having these damn headaches! They can't do anything different for me until I get my blood tests results back, so I'm still taking Imitrex to get the edge off the headache, that's about it. Other than that I feel fine. How's your neck? Has it eve stopped raining in New England yet? I'm from there - from Mass. but have been living in NC for past 10 years, the weather is gorgeous here today!
Well you 2 ladies take care and Tia - you will be just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tia - hope you are holding up ok today! I know for me the day before was the worst day, but the morning of the day of the surgery, I woke up and it was like a "calm" had come over me - I guess b/c I knew I was going to get it over with finally!
I will praying for you tomorrow and thinking of you too!!!!!!!! I will send you all the best wishes for every case scenario - so I hope tonight you eat up well and get some sleep!!!!!!!!! We'll be looking for your post as soon as you are up for it!
Maccie - hope you are still feeling as good as you were yesterday - I'm stil having these damn headaches! They can't do anything different for me until I get my blood tests results back, so I'm still taking Imitrex to get the edge off the headache, that's about it. Other than that I feel fine. How's your neck? Has it eve stopped raining in New England yet? I'm from there - from Mass. but have been living in NC for past 10 years, the weather is gorgeous here today!
Well you 2 ladies take care and Tia - you will be just fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just have a feeling that after it's all behind us we're both going to say "well that wasn't as bad as I thought". That's what I'm hoping for anyway. I had a surgery that was REALLY hard to recover from (dermoid cyst removed 50 stitches right down the center of my stomach) so I KNOW this is going to be easier than that. It's funny, when you are in the hospital and not feeling well you don't even want to go home. My best friend had day surgery with the possiblity of having to stay in the hospital...she CHOSE to stay in because she didn't feel well enough to come home. By the next day she was ready. It's probably mostly due to the anesthesia. I'm guessing the first day will just be a blur anyway. I think as long as we don't have any calcium problems we'll only be in overnight. Let's hope for no calcium problems. =)
You have no other surgery to compare it to so everything is so new for you. I can totally understand your anxiety. How old are you to have made it through this far with no surgeries? Lucky you!
I was told to bring button up shirts with a breast pocket just in case we have a drain??? I dunno, I guess we can stick the pouch that it drains into in our shirt pocket...but I found a couple. I'm going to wear sweats and a button up shirt to the hospital and I'm going to bring a v-neck tshirt too. I'm also going to bring a cardigan because it's still cold here! I was told (by a woman who had the surgery) to bring chapstick and eyedrops because the air in there is so dry that her lips and eyes dried out. My house is close to the hospital (ten minute drive) so I don't need to bring much, as it can be brought to the hospital for me if I need it.
Last night I had a case of the nerves...I just was thinking too much. In some ways it's coming up quick but at the same time it's been taking forever!
As someone told me...we need to remember that these surgeons do this every single day...it's a big ordeal for us...but this is their job. We are going to be fine and in a week we MIGHT even laugh about all this anxiety! I can't wait to hear from you and to know you're on the recovery side doing well. Let's try and think "happy thoughts" today! Tia
Hope Karmike and maccie are doing well in their recovery and adustments to their new meds!! No headaches or nasea today!
You have no other surgery to compare it to so everything is so new for you. I can totally understand your anxiety. How old are you to have made it through this far with no surgeries? Lucky you!
I was told to bring button up shirts with a breast pocket just in case we have a drain??? I dunno, I guess we can stick the pouch that it drains into in our shirt pocket...but I found a couple. I'm going to wear sweats and a button up shirt to the hospital and I'm going to bring a v-neck tshirt too. I'm also going to bring a cardigan because it's still cold here! I was told (by a woman who had the surgery) to bring chapstick and eyedrops because the air in there is so dry that her lips and eyes dried out. My house is close to the hospital (ten minute drive) so I don't need to bring much, as it can be brought to the hospital for me if I need it.
Last night I had a case of the nerves...I just was thinking too much. In some ways it's coming up quick but at the same time it's been taking forever!
As someone told me...we need to remember that these surgeons do this every single day...it's a big ordeal for us...but this is their job. We are going to be fine and in a week we MIGHT even laugh about all this anxiety! I can't wait to hear from you and to know you're on the recovery side doing well. Let's try and think "happy thoughts" today! Tia
Hope Karmike and maccie are doing well in their recovery and adustments to their new meds!! No headaches or nasea today!
Hey ladies! Wow - there's been a lot of posts since I last looked yesterday. I know you are getting anxious carole and Tia! You will both be fine and I will be praying for you and thinking about you too! I do hope we can keep this thread going - I'm sure you two won't feel like even looking at your computer for a couple of days, so maccie and I will keep it up if we can. Worse case, look for our names, if we have to post another question to start another one, then that's what we'll do! Will that work maccie? I know a Dr. has to answer the first question, but I'm sure we can come up with something that we'd both like a Dr. to answer.
Glad today is a better day for you maccie. Today is better for me too. My neck was very very tight today in the back - I went to the chiro. and I was able to get in with the masseuse. She said I had so many knots back there but was able to relieve most of them, and most of my headache went away! I do know the tightness you're talking about under your chin down to the incision, but I'm ok there today, mine's mostly in the back of the neck. Try icing the area to see if that helps! Glad your voice is ok today too! Hope you're not too pooped after your long day - I've been trying to clean my house a little bit at a time, already vacuumed, this weekend and that went fine, but I'm trying to build up so I can go back to work. I'm not under any pressure as to which day this week - I definitely want the headaches gone completely!
I wouldn't mind exchanging emails incase we can't post anymore, are we allowed to do that on this sight?
I went for a blood test today - my endo. is checking my thyroid levels and calcium today. My incision gets better every day and I'm able to move my head without discomfort now, able to yawn and laugh too! You do need a good laugh maccie - I had one last night with my husband and my Dad, we were making fun of my Mom - but we all had a laugh attack at the same time, and boy did it feel good! Ok, I had a little bit of discomfort in my neck afer that, but so much better than it was!
carole - my thoughts are with you tonight, eat well!!!!!!!! I hope you sleep well and that as soon as you get checked in tomorrow that you will feel better, the nurses here in NC made me feel so at ease right away and I hope the same for you too!!!!! I hope you have no drain tube, and that your calcium is fine and that you only have to stay one night and maybe you could even go home tomorrow! I am hoping for the best for you in every way!!!!! Tia - you are next!!!!! Just remember ladies, you will get through this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad today is a better day for you maccie. Today is better for me too. My neck was very very tight today in the back - I went to the chiro. and I was able to get in with the masseuse. She said I had so many knots back there but was able to relieve most of them, and most of my headache went away! I do know the tightness you're talking about under your chin down to the incision, but I'm ok there today, mine's mostly in the back of the neck. Try icing the area to see if that helps! Glad your voice is ok today too! Hope you're not too pooped after your long day - I've been trying to clean my house a little bit at a time, already vacuumed, this weekend and that went fine, but I'm trying to build up so I can go back to work. I'm not under any pressure as to which day this week - I definitely want the headaches gone completely!
I wouldn't mind exchanging emails incase we can't post anymore, are we allowed to do that on this sight?
I went for a blood test today - my endo. is checking my thyroid levels and calcium today. My incision gets better every day and I'm able to move my head without discomfort now, able to yawn and laugh too! You do need a good laugh maccie - I had one last night with my husband and my Dad, we were making fun of my Mom - but we all had a laugh attack at the same time, and boy did it feel good! Ok, I had a little bit of discomfort in my neck afer that, but so much better than it was!
carole - my thoughts are with you tonight, eat well!!!!!!!! I hope you sleep well and that as soon as you get checked in tomorrow that you will feel better, the nurses here in NC made me feel so at ease right away and I hope the same for you too!!!!! I hope you have no drain tube, and that your calcium is fine and that you only have to stay one night and maybe you could even go home tomorrow! I am hoping for the best for you in every way!!!!! Tia - you are next!!!!! Just remember ladies, you will get through this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel so much better today. I don't have a headache and talking doesn't stain nearly as much. And I am not nauseas!
All makes for a good morning. I have to work late in the afternoon so I hope I don't poop out before then. I already found myself vacuuming and cleaning up this morning. I'm going to try to take it easy but i have been taking it easy for going on 3 weeks tomorrow so it is good I am getting antsy.
Yes, Karmike, I concider my dogs ( 2 90lb labs like my kids) and I also have a 21 yr old daughter and a 24 yr old son whom are wonderful and "called me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day" yesterday. I live in VT so my main hobby is walking my dogs in the woods. That is why it is so stressful that they both hurt their knees because we hike so much. It's good we are all recuperating at the same time. Just a little slow walk in the field. Karmite, is your neck very tight from below your chin down to just above your incision? Mine feels so tight if I try to extend my neck or even lift up my chin.
Banane22, sorry you have so much anxiety about this. It wasn't too fun, but MUCH easier then abdominal surgery! I bet you come out without a drain and no low calcium and feel good very quick.
Laughing about it after a week...well, I love to laugh and I only laughed a couple of times. That's probably what I am missing. I need a good laugh! Hopefully you are feeling OK Countrycarole. Sending you both a huge hug and lot's of healing eneryg. Goodddddddddddddddd-luckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk with your surgeries!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All makes for a good morning. I have to work late in the afternoon so I hope I don't poop out before then. I already found myself vacuuming and cleaning up this morning. I'm going to try to take it easy but i have been taking it easy for going on 3 weeks tomorrow so it is good I am getting antsy.
Yes, Karmike, I concider my dogs ( 2 90lb labs like my kids) and I also have a 21 yr old daughter and a 24 yr old son whom are wonderful and "called me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day" yesterday. I live in VT so my main hobby is walking my dogs in the woods. That is why it is so stressful that they both hurt their knees because we hike so much. It's good we are all recuperating at the same time. Just a little slow walk in the field. Karmite, is your neck very tight from below your chin down to just above your incision? Mine feels so tight if I try to extend my neck or even lift up my chin.
Banane22, sorry you have so much anxiety about this. It wasn't too fun, but MUCH easier then abdominal surgery! I bet you come out without a drain and no low calcium and feel good very quick.
Laughing about it after a week...well, I love to laugh and I only laughed a couple of times. That's probably what I am missing. I need a good laugh! Hopefully you are feeling OK Countrycarole. Sending you both a huge hug and lot's of healing eneryg. Goodddddddddddddddd-luckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk with your surgeries!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just want to thank all of you (Tia, Karmike, Maccie) for all your great support and compassion. These last few days would have been worse if it wasn't for you "guys". I looked forward to reading all your posts and hope we can continue communicating.
Although I am nervous, I am at the point that I just want to get if over with.
To Tia: Good luck with your surgery and I will be thinking of you.
As soon as I am able to I will post again.
Again, thanks everyone !!!!!
Carole
Although I am nervous, I am at the point that I just want to get if over with.
To Tia: Good luck with your surgery and I will be thinking of you.
As soon as I am able to I will post again.
Again, thanks everyone !!!!!
Carole
It sounds like you did a great job Tia in completing everything before your surgery. I also did some cleaning, washed clothes and did shopping and paid all the bills that were due. I never thought about button-down shirts being easier to wear than t-shirts. I'll have to look in my closet to see if I can find some. I'm still undecided on what to wear to the hospital (jeans/shorts). I know it's a silly thing to be concerned about but it's keeping me busy. I just have to pack a few things to take with me and I'll be all set. My surgeon said that when I leave the hospital there will be steri-strips(?) on the incision - and I would rather not look at the scar so hopefully it will stay on until I go back to the surgeon's office in a week. There are alot of products on the market for reducing scars so I will ask the surgeon what he recommends.
Yes, I heard about the bad weather you are having in MA. Hopefully, the rain will stop soon. This weekend in Florida was sunny and warm. I am definitely getting more nervous the closer it gets to the surgery. I'm not sure which frightens me more - the actual surgery or just having to stay in the hospital...
I, too, hope we can continue this thread because it has been a "lifesaver" for me in calming my nerves and you all are wonderful. Have a good night!
Carole
Yes, I heard about the bad weather you are having in MA. Hopefully, the rain will stop soon. This weekend in Florida was sunny and warm. I am definitely getting more nervous the closer it gets to the surgery. I'm not sure which frightens me more - the actual surgery or just having to stay in the hospital...
I, too, hope we can continue this thread because it has been a "lifesaver" for me in calming my nerves and you all are wonderful. Have a good night!
Carole
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