Aa
Saw surgeon for infection this AM ... he's never seen this before .. they aren't
inflammed lymph nodes all along (3 of them in addition to the stitch abcess that opened up) . .THEY ARE ALL STITCH ABSCESSES!!!!! He said he's done 900 thyroid surgeries and never seen this.
He said there is infection along the stitches under the surface of the skin and will give it 3 more weeks to get better or else he wants to reopen the incision line and clean it all out!!!!!!! Then he talked some more about the other 1/2 of the gland and the microcarcinomas found on the side taken out, etc. and recommends if he goes in to clean then take out the other side. OK .. TOO MUCH TO HANDLE RIGHT NOW ...
Cleaning the incision is under sedation in hosp outpatient if done.
I'm going to call my Primary Dr to ask his opinion and get in to see another surgeon as this is very upsetting to say the least.
He also said the scar "was" healing so nicely this is a shame as it will need "scar revision" anyway .. ok .. another answer to a ? I was afraid to ask. I know a small price to pay for being cancer-free but not the answer I wanted to hear.
I'm not thrilled with all this but will be okay with it all.
Hot soaks and call him if anything changes b4 the 3 weeks.
HOLY COW ... I'm not in a good mood.
C~
He said there is infection along the stitches under the surface of the skin and will give it 3 more weeks to get better or else he wants to reopen the incision line and clean it all out!!!!!!! Then he talked some more about the other 1/2 of the gland and the microcarcinomas found on the side taken out, etc. and recommends if he goes in to clean then take out the other side. OK .. TOO MUCH TO HANDLE RIGHT NOW ...
Cleaning the incision is under sedation in hosp outpatient if done.
I'm going to call my Primary Dr to ask his opinion and get in to see another surgeon as this is very upsetting to say the least.
He also said the scar "was" healing so nicely this is a shame as it will need "scar revision" anyway .. ok .. another answer to a ? I was afraid to ask. I know a small price to pay for being cancer-free but not the answer I wanted to hear.
I'm not thrilled with all this but will be okay with it all.
Hot soaks and call him if anything changes b4 the 3 weeks.
HOLY COW ... I'm not in a good mood.
C~
Honey, if ANYONE out there knows exactly what you are talking about, I do.
Like I said, if EVERYONE in my family hadn't decided to follow in my footsteps I'd still have 1/2 of my thyroid. With all the cancer, it wasn't too difficult to finally get it out but it was a strange feeling knowing that there was no cancer in the final half and I had it out anyway. I just consoled myself with the fact that I *wouldn't* be getting cancer in it if it was dissected in pathology. :-)
Then there was the "regrowth" last year and the need for RAI (which I couldn't have done with the lobe). So, even though I had the "healthy" lobe out I *still* had the cancer come back.
It's such a ****-shoot. I really wish there was a crystal ball to help us with these decisions.
It's a tougher decision than anyone realizes.
Hang in there 'cause you aren't alone.
)))HUGS(((
Like I said, if EVERYONE in my family hadn't decided to follow in my footsteps I'd still have 1/2 of my thyroid. With all the cancer, it wasn't too difficult to finally get it out but it was a strange feeling knowing that there was no cancer in the final half and I had it out anyway. I just consoled myself with the fact that I *wouldn't* be getting cancer in it if it was dissected in pathology. :-)
Then there was the "regrowth" last year and the need for RAI (which I couldn't have done with the lobe). So, even though I had the "healthy" lobe out I *still* had the cancer come back.
It's such a ****-shoot. I really wish there was a crystal ball to help us with these decisions.
It's a tougher decision than anyone realizes.
Hang in there 'cause you aren't alone.
)))HUGS(((
I'm scared of the surgery. I don't know. I found it extremely difficult to bounce back after the partial.
I'm on the fence.
This is so unplanned and another chapter of the book unexpected.
This week I am JUST finally feeling back to normal ... so much energy on the increased Synthroid dosing and so happy .. I think I've been hypo longer than anybody realized and that was playing a part, too, in feeling down ...
Being 100% honest with myself hoping the incision heals so I don't have to make this decision right now.
I am ok with all this incision stuff, etc., bcz they found cancer on the other side and removing the gland/nodules was not for nothing .... if I knew there was cancer on the other side (the Dr. on the other forum states it is there 40% of the time with incidental findings)then I'd opt to have it out 1-2-3 .. it is the 'ol risk/benefit thing coming into play making my decision. "What if" something goes wrong and the other side was totally healthy .. then again "What if" they find something totally unexpected .... Geez, a tough spot to be in.
C~
I'm on the fence.
This is so unplanned and another chapter of the book unexpected.
This week I am JUST finally feeling back to normal ... so much energy on the increased Synthroid dosing and so happy .. I think I've been hypo longer than anybody realized and that was playing a part, too, in feeling down ...
Being 100% honest with myself hoping the incision heals so I don't have to make this decision right now.
I am ok with all this incision stuff, etc., bcz they found cancer on the other side and removing the gland/nodules was not for nothing .... if I knew there was cancer on the other side (the Dr. on the other forum states it is there 40% of the time with incidental findings)then I'd opt to have it out 1-2-3 .. it is the 'ol risk/benefit thing coming into play making my decision. "What if" something goes wrong and the other side was totally healthy .. then again "What if" they find something totally unexpected .... Geez, a tough spot to be in.
C~
Saw my Prim Dr. yesterday .. he took LOTS of time and we discussed my whole case from start to current. He concluded I need the incision cleanout if these things don't go away .. no ? in his mind it is necessary.
He took a very serious interest in Endo #2's articles and findings/thoughts of TT with microcarinomas, etc. Endo #2 never copied him in on the report so he was not aware of contrast in opinion!
Bottom Line: He is going to do some research, read the article I provided from Endo #2, then he is going to call BOTH Endo #1 who I use @ his recommendation and doesn't know about 2nd opinion and call Endo #2 and then get back to me.
This is the Dr. who found the nodule in the 1st place .. he said he has a "thing" for thyroids as an avid interest so I couldn't have gone to a better Dr. to sort all this thru in a neutral manner for me. A true professional with true sense of Primary Care Physician.
I'll keep you posted.
First thing all Dr's go for is the big bump on Adam's Apple ... right there .. that one bothers them all more than the ookie looking ones ~ Go Figure.
C~
He took a very serious interest in Endo #2's articles and findings/thoughts of TT with microcarinomas, etc. Endo #2 never copied him in on the report so he was not aware of contrast in opinion!
Bottom Line: He is going to do some research, read the article I provided from Endo #2, then he is going to call BOTH Endo #1 who I use @ his recommendation and doesn't know about 2nd opinion and call Endo #2 and then get back to me.
This is the Dr. who found the nodule in the 1st place .. he said he has a "thing" for thyroids as an avid interest so I couldn't have gone to a better Dr. to sort all this thru in a neutral manner for me. A true professional with true sense of Primary Care Physician.
I'll keep you posted.
First thing all Dr's go for is the big bump on Adam's Apple ... right there .. that one bothers them all more than the ookie looking ones ~ Go Figure.
C~
Sounds like you have a good team of doctors.
*IF* they do decide to open it up and clean it out are you considering having the other 1/2 out??
Welcome to the roller coaster, right? :-)
((HUGS))
*IF* they do decide to open it up and clean it out are you considering having the other 1/2 out??
Welcome to the roller coaster, right? :-)
((HUGS))
I didn't go scarf (or turtle neck, or chunky necklace) free for about 9 months.
I inherited my family's skin: a horrible, glow-in-the dark, fish-belly white (blaming my Welsh heritage here) and the scar was terribly noticeable. I didn't want to freak out others and was very, very self conscious. After the 2nd surgery I said "to heck with it" and figured it was my badge of honor. Besides, getting a bit of sun on it (and using lots of aloe) helped hide it.
Someday there will be a huge art display of all our TT scars and the rest of the world will be jealous. :-)
Get feeling good soon! Hey, come to think of it, the stray stitch that worked its way out of my sister was blueish and our surgeon used silk.
Hang in there honey!!
I inherited my family's skin: a horrible, glow-in-the dark, fish-belly white (blaming my Welsh heritage here) and the scar was terribly noticeable. I didn't want to freak out others and was very, very self conscious. After the 2nd surgery I said "to heck with it" and figured it was my badge of honor. Besides, getting a bit of sun on it (and using lots of aloe) helped hide it.
Someday there will be a huge art display of all our TT scars and the rest of the world will be jealous. :-)
Get feeling good soon! Hey, come to think of it, the stray stitch that worked its way out of my sister was blueish and our surgeon used silk.
Hang in there honey!!
I am doing great except for this scar thing which hasn't set me back but has prevented me from moving fwd to 100% acceptance of this whole surgery and pap thyca dx, etc. But that is ok .. it'll come ..just another bump in the road I guess.
I painted my two younger kids' rooms the past 2.5 weeks and I must admit they came out awesome!!!!! Nice diversion and best of all the kids see Mom back to normal and they are so excited to have new colors and border prints and new blinds to match. All that is left are window dressings and good excuse to go shopping for them. They are boy/girl 8 and 9 .. looking @ dog theme and kitten/butterfly theme. One room is suede tan 3 walls with accent in espresso brown and the other is 3 walls off-white and contrast wall is light pink!
The toughest "healing" part for me has been this scar and now I see why .. it has not been great looking from the start compared to others on the board and now I understand why I have been reluctant to go scarf-free for the concern of "others" ..I'm working on that part still and once these bumpy infected thingamajigs get better I am sure my feelings with the scar will get better and then I can decide to see a dermatologist or just keep it as it is .. time will tell :)
Thx for asking,
C~
I painted my two younger kids' rooms the past 2.5 weeks and I must admit they came out awesome!!!!! Nice diversion and best of all the kids see Mom back to normal and they are so excited to have new colors and border prints and new blinds to match. All that is left are window dressings and good excuse to go shopping for them. They are boy/girl 8 and 9 .. looking @ dog theme and kitten/butterfly theme. One room is suede tan 3 walls with accent in espresso brown and the other is 3 walls off-white and contrast wall is light pink!
The toughest "healing" part for me has been this scar and now I see why .. it has not been great looking from the start compared to others on the board and now I understand why I have been reluctant to go scarf-free for the concern of "others" ..I'm working on that part still and once these bumpy infected thingamajigs get better I am sure my feelings with the scar will get better and then I can decide to see a dermatologist or just keep it as it is .. time will tell :)
Thx for asking,
C~
I've read online about allergy to silk stitches .. don't know what he used -- he said string like thread.
I found an article citing 2 rare cases of this happening with thyroid surgery .. it involved microabscesses .. not sure if this is the same thing or not .. mine are ea. about 1cm big. Talks about silk stitches and these microabscesses forming from them in two rare cases .. They call it extremely rare to happen with thyroid surgery.
Hey ... you know how I've said I HATE stats .. well, I figured my odds out on this one .. I had a .001 chance of this occuring given the surgeon has done 900 surgeries and never had this happen .. now if only I could get odds like that for a lotto ticket to win!!!!!
Also read last year that Johnson & Johnson had a recall of sutures for reasons of infection ... you cannot help but wonder about this stuff sometimes!
C~
I found an article citing 2 rare cases of this happening with thyroid surgery .. it involved microabscesses .. not sure if this is the same thing or not .. mine are ea. about 1cm big. Talks about silk stitches and these microabscesses forming from them in two rare cases .. They call it extremely rare to happen with thyroid surgery.
Hey ... you know how I've said I HATE stats .. well, I figured my odds out on this one .. I had a .001 chance of this occuring given the surgeon has done 900 surgeries and never had this happen .. now if only I could get odds like that for a lotto ticket to win!!!!!
Also read last year that Johnson & Johnson had a recall of sutures for reasons of infection ... you cannot help but wonder about this stuff sometimes!
C~
I feel so bad for you sis.You have the roughest time of it.I hope like hell they dont have to go back in but if they do you get that otherside out so you wont have to worry about anymore cancers ok?
I will keep you in prayer sis
Love Venora
I will keep you in prayer sis
Love Venora
Hey Cheryl,
I am soo sorry to hear that you are going through so much , after having to go through the torturist wait for the surgery, start your healing and now this =(
I would ask how you are doing besides all your chaos but silly question.... I hope everything gets better for you soon... E-hugs~~~ to you, hang in there , I'm sure it will all work out. They say everything happens for reasons mostly beyond our knowledge, with hopes of gaining insight and answers to all of it!
You seem like you have good docs... and you make informed decisons! so with that on your side you will be great. Stay strong and keep in touch. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
K~
I am soo sorry to hear that you are going through so much , after having to go through the torturist wait for the surgery, start your healing and now this =(
I would ask how you are doing besides all your chaos but silly question.... I hope everything gets better for you soon... E-hugs~~~ to you, hang in there , I'm sure it will all work out. They say everything happens for reasons mostly beyond our knowledge, with hopes of gaining insight and answers to all of it!
You seem like you have good docs... and you make informed decisons! so with that on your side you will be great. Stay strong and keep in touch. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
K~
Oh my gosh - will it ever end???
I know that allergies are very different but maybe they could lead to an abscess in an open wound?!?! Is there a chance you are sensitive to whatever they used to stitch you up??
I haven't been exposed to nearly as many thyroid surgeries as your surgeon (thank goodness!) but I have never heard of it as bad as you have. My sister only had the problem with one of the stitches and it was just because it decided it wanted out - not from an infection.
Hang in there!! (RANT AWAY!)
I know that allergies are very different but maybe they could lead to an abscess in an open wound?!?! Is there a chance you are sensitive to whatever they used to stitch you up??
I haven't been exposed to nearly as many thyroid surgeries as your surgeon (thank goodness!) but I have never heard of it as bad as you have. My sister only had the problem with one of the stitches and it was just because it decided it wanted out - not from an infection.
Hang in there!! (RANT AWAY!)
My question is what was contaminated in the OR... was it the stitch thread the loop needle. the packing gauze... the doc's hands...the scissors the nipped the stitch things that make you question if you really want to return to this surgeon or not... Just so you know it is usually equipment that spawns the infection...but it is a crummy spot to be in right now. Watch it closely, as it is nothing to play around with as I am sure you know!!! If you do have to get it cleaned tho it is a perfect oportunity to get the other side out so why not???
feel for you really!
Lisa
feel for you really!
Lisa
I KWUM ..... I made an appt w/ my primary dr. to figure out who to go to for 2nd opinion on this infection ... not that I run from dr to dr all the time but with this whole thyroid issue (since Oct) it seems nobody can ever agree on anything --> it makes it difficult as the patient to figure out what to do. Thanks for your posting and advice.
C~
C~
Sorry to hear your news. I can imagine how aggravated you are. If your surgeon has to go in again, why not go ahead and get the other side out then? I personnally would not want to live with even a remote possibility of cancer growing incide me. That's why I didn't hesitate when my endo and surgeon suggest a TT even though I had only one nodule that was suspicious. At least with a TT and RAI I have greatly lessened my odds of my cancer reoccurring. That in itself gives me a warm fuzzy. And that feeling is just like Mastercard, PRICELESS!!! Just wanted to give you something to think about.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
