Total Thyroidectomy March 5, 2009

[irvingtonmom]

Hello,

I'm new to this site and I hope I am posting my comments in the correct area.  I had a total thyroidectomy March 5, 2009.  I did great post op with just severe discomfort, no pain, not at all!  I used Motrin prescribed by the doc post op for two days and only 3 Tylenol with Codeine so I could sleep.  I sat up in the recliner to sleep on and off.  Two days post op just uncomfortable with the drain.  March 9, 2009 - surgeon took out drain, said I was doing great.  The biopsy in the end showed incidental microcarcinoma which was removed with the thyroid.  No I 131 necessary.  The wound will heal, however, surgeon advised he took out two baseball sized goitre from my neck!!!  Said I'll be fine.  Need bloodwork for calcium and PTH 3/11/09 to judge which hormone replacement to take at what dosage.  Anyone out there want to comment on which med they did better on or post any side effect from a particular one.  I'll follow my endocrine doctors advices tomorrow but would like to hear back asap!  Thanks!  And if you are going thru this nightmare cancer, maybe, follicular, papillary, don't be afraid.  It's treatable and usually you're fine before long!!!

[mommy2two2008]

You're welcome!  I am so glad you are having a good result!  I hate you had to get the incidental finding, though, but always better to know.  So, are they planning a "watch it" program for serial us and testing to insure they catch a recurrance?  I wish you well!  I am having thyroid enlargement concentrated in the right lobe (no nodules seen but it is supposedly suggestive of Multinodular Goiter) and its been going on for a year.  I see an ENT who wants me to have my thyroid removed because its hashi with normal blood and seems to have no end in sight. I am really considering it since they can't seem to get it to stop with med and I have other swollen glands.  Will continue to ponder it for a while so I can go ahead with house buying plans then probably schedule toward the end of the year.  

[irvingtonmom]

Hi!
You are absolutely correct.  You explained it well.  Thanks!

[mommy2two2008]

Its really one "goiter" meaning an enlarged thyroid.  The term two gets used because there are two thyroid lobes.  So, I would have to assume she had a large goiter due to both thyroid lobes being the size of baseballs.

[irvingtonmom]

Stella,  So sorry I did not see the 1 hr ago post.  If you have nodules on your thyroid of course if they are suspicious or given you symptoms, they would probably have wanted to remove them.  The question was why did the doctor say to remove them???  Good nite! Talk more tomorrow.  

[stella5349]

No No

I never heard of two goiters? I never had one - but always assumed that it was just one on the thyroid.

Could it be nodules and not goiters?

[irvingtonmom]

I'm sorry I didn't mean to confuse you.  The surgeon said the goitre both left and right was the size of two baseballs.

[stella5349]

Great post thanks for sharing on your recent stuff irvingtonmom

But I have a question, 2 goiters? I am confused.

[irvingtonmom]

Hi!
Let me update you on my post op,  Went back to my endo dr today for blood work nearly 1 week post op.  He was amazed at my remarkable recovery!  He said I looked great and was so pleased.  Checked me out, took blood and started me on lowest dose of Synthroid.  Of course I asked about possible side effects. He advised that there are no side effects, that Synthroid is the exact combo of what your thyroid would make if normal.  So I get blood results tomorrow including calcium which is a very important part of the process.  Then one month from now repeat bloods to see if my PTH has leveled off nicely.  Then follow up from there.  Next, find yourself an endocrine thyroid surgeon who does this surgery EVERY day.  Any surgeon who only takes out one side doesn't know how to protect the vocal cords or the parathyroids!!!  Do NOT get only one side taken out....As I wrote, there is only severe discomfort post op, no pain at all.  My pretty slender neck looked like a football player neck.  Got my jewelry back on around my neck - amazing to see my neck going down.  Two softball size goiters were removed March 5.  Drain came out Monday, surgeon said I did great.  Not to worry, you will be fine.  BUT GET A REAL THYROID SURGEON. PS Where do you live?  I will stay at the computer for a while for your answer in case you are still out there.

[sgchaps]

I am having surgery on April first, and I have the same questions about meds. I also didn't know whether to have all of the thyroid removed or just my right side which has more nodules and is giving me pressure symptoms. Of course if cancer is found the Dr. will go ahead and remove it all. I will keep an eye on your post and see what people say.