Aa
just booked thyroidectomy
my nodule was picked up on an mri after a car accident...hashimoto's is all over my family, so nobody was really concerned, but my dr. ordered tests just to make sure. well everything came back opposite of hashimoto's...my levels were fine, and the nodule was cold. i had a FNA and it came back inconclusive. my endo at the time didn't seem too concerned, and put me on synthroid (and always just acted like i had hashimoto's). i recently moved and switched endo's though.. this doctor looked over all my results and was concerned. he said he wanted me to have another biopsy or have surgery. i will not have another biopsy (it was HORRIBLE! 9 attempts!), its gotten a little bigger over the past year, despite the synthroid so that is another concern, and i tend to choke on my food frequently. i would be ok with all of this, but the problem is, i am getting married in october and am really worried about the scar. i worry about the nodule everyday though, and i think i would go absolutely crazy if i put it off until after the wedding (and my family would rather have me do it now incase it is malignant). so it is scheduled for May 6th.
so there is my introduction story, now for a few questions!
-what is the pain like? is it sore throat pain, sore neck pain??
-how bad is the scar...really...
-for those of u who had benign results, do you regret having the surgery?
thank you everyone!
Kelly
so there is my introduction story, now for a few questions!
-what is the pain like? is it sore throat pain, sore neck pain??
-how bad is the scar...really...
-for those of u who had benign results, do you regret having the surgery?
thank you everyone!
Kelly
Hi Kelly-
I just a my TT on Thursday and I am recovering fine. I hvae had no calcium issues. I am a little HYPER but i was told that surgery and havin my thyroid yanked out can do that. I have the tihtness in the surgical area and very sore in the neck and head. I've head a headache too. I didnt have any of this before surgery so thats how I am managing the symptoms. I also suffer from TMJ and a herniated disc in my neck so maybe after laying on the operating table for 3 plus hours and sleeeping in a n upright position might be the culprit as well. I go and see the surgeonand Endo on wed so I am excited about that. The surgery was a piece of cake. I have too been able to eat solids. I had a bagel this morning. Who the heck would of though that!!! You will be just fine. My voice is 100%. I never lost it it all. Poor hubby!!! :)
I just a my TT on Thursday and I am recovering fine. I hvae had no calcium issues. I am a little HYPER but i was told that surgery and havin my thyroid yanked out can do that. I have the tihtness in the surgical area and very sore in the neck and head. I've head a headache too. I didnt have any of this before surgery so thats how I am managing the symptoms. I also suffer from TMJ and a herniated disc in my neck so maybe after laying on the operating table for 3 plus hours and sleeeping in a n upright position might be the culprit as well. I go and see the surgeonand Endo on wed so I am excited about that. The surgery was a piece of cake. I have too been able to eat solids. I had a bagel this morning. Who the heck would of though that!!! You will be just fine. My voice is 100%. I never lost it it all. Poor hubby!!! :)
I too, am scheduled for a hemithyroidectomy this coming Tuesday. I will gladly share my thoughts with you.
since my nodule is cold, and has had some growth, my endo first recommended the second FNA. but even though the results from the first were inconclusive, there was a term in the report that concerned him (and i can't remember what it was!). he said if he had never met me, and was simply judging me by my file and knew i wouldn't do a 2nd fna, he would say to have it removed. also, the nodule is starting to slightly affect my swallowing. so i guess i have enough stuff goin on for my endo to say let's go lol
You've gotten some good feedback!
For me, the pain passed relatively quickly - both throat and neck pain. After about 18 mths the scar is not something I think about as much as I expected I would. No one seems to look or comment on it much anymore. That actually subsided a while ago.
My thyroid turned out benign and I don't regret for a minute letting the surgeon remove it. Post-pathology showed it was just this side of cancer.
It was going to turn to cancer sooner or later - probably sooner, definitely later.
For me, the pain passed relatively quickly - both throat and neck pain. After about 18 mths the scar is not something I think about as much as I expected I would. No one seems to look or comment on it much anymore. That actually subsided a while ago.
My thyroid turned out benign and I don't regret for a minute letting the surgeon remove it. Post-pathology showed it was just this side of cancer.
It was going to turn to cancer sooner or later - probably sooner, definitely later.
If the scar is still visible you could do some kind of pearls or choker .... but concealer does wonders at that point and you won't really see it .. Dermablend is pricy but works .. I've heard mineral makeup blends nicely ..doesn't need to be pricy either?! Buy some ahead of time to blend and match .. get it right b4 the surgery as you won't want to put on and rub off if mismatched .. that is my recommendation .. speaking of Dermablend it's been probably 3-4 mos since I've even used it .. and I'm 14mos post op. Take a look @ my photos and you'll see the scar is really not bad at all and I had complications iwth an abscess so just imagine it w/o complications healing!
Cheryl
Cheryl
Interesting on your Dx. I see you had a horrific FNA also. I just posted quite a novel on where I am at too.
Let me ask....... how did you get surgery scheduled without having the second FNA? Was your first one worth a Dx of any cancer?
Let me ask....... how did you get surgery scheduled without having the second FNA? Was your first one worth a Dx of any cancer?
Hi Kelly,
We'll all be there to get you through your TT as well so know your not alone. How are you holding up? I really wish this site was there when I had my surgery 12 years ago. Fortunately, I was blessed with the most amazing husband. He was my rock! I'm sure at times he wanted to hit me with it as well!!! :)
liz
We'll all be there to get you through your TT as well so know your not alone. How are you holding up? I really wish this site was there when I had my surgery 12 years ago. Fortunately, I was blessed with the most amazing husband. He was my rock! I'm sure at times he wanted to hit me with it as well!!! :)
liz
I'm scheduled to have a TT in 12 days, and I'll happily share my experiences with you afterwards. You've come to the right place - everyone here is so supportive and loaded with information.
Your health is what's important here - so it's great that you scheduled the surgery. Keep us posted!
Good luck!
Your health is what's important here - so it's great that you scheduled the surgery. Keep us posted!
Good luck!
Kerry.....I completely forgot about my neck. Your right, it was sore from being in that position. They didn't use the glue 12/13 years ago at least not on me. What a differance it must make.
Kelly....Tell your husband-to-be that if your really concerned about your scar that a beautiful diamond choker will cover it just fine!!! :)
Kelly....Tell your husband-to-be that if your really concerned about your scar that a beautiful diamond choker will cover it just fine!!! :)
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!
I had my thryoid removed 7 weeks ago. The sore throat (from intubation) is bad but it only lasts a few days. Even with a sore throat, I was able to eat regular food the next day! I had a smooth surgery and recovery. I was talking normal the evening of my surgery and I didn't have any calcium problems. My neck ached but it was from muscle soreness that I got from having me head tilted back three hours during surgery. I was back to my normal routine in a week.
My surgeon used glue to close my incision not stiches. It is healing nicely. Much better than I thought it would. It was puffy for the first four weeks but that's now gone. It is still red and noticeable but not glaryingly noticeable as it was in the beginning. It's healing from the middle out. It's wierd, but there a quarter inch area right in the middle where you can hardly see anything!
Like Liz said in her post above your health must come first! I think you're making the right decision to have the surgery. You will find much support and encouragement here on this forum.
Take care,
Kerry
I had my thryoid removed 7 weeks ago. The sore throat (from intubation) is bad but it only lasts a few days. Even with a sore throat, I was able to eat regular food the next day! I had a smooth surgery and recovery. I was talking normal the evening of my surgery and I didn't have any calcium problems. My neck ached but it was from muscle soreness that I got from having me head tilted back three hours during surgery. I was back to my normal routine in a week.
My surgeon used glue to close my incision not stiches. It is healing nicely. Much better than I thought it would. It was puffy for the first four weeks but that's now gone. It is still red and noticeable but not glaryingly noticeable as it was in the beginning. It's healing from the middle out. It's wierd, but there a quarter inch area right in the middle where you can hardly see anything!
Like Liz said in her post above your health must come first! I think you're making the right decision to have the surgery. You will find much support and encouragement here on this forum.
Take care,
Kerry
kelly,
first of all....congrats on your upcoming wedding!!!! I was an October bride as well. You have enough to worry about with your upcoming wedding to throw this in the mix.Don't wait!! My TT was over ten years ago so it's been a while but I remember it very well. My dx was hashimoto's and I had the follicular adenoma's(sp?)two too be exact. Once in surgery a third was discovered that was not even picked up with the ultrasound.! The decision was made during the surgery to take the entire gland. Fortunately everything was benign and I have absolutely no regrets getting it done. I mean that......As far as the pain I managed my post surgical pain with only Tylenol. Mainly because I am allergic to most of the synthetic narcotics(percocet, etc.) and the ones I can take make me feel sick to my stomach. My throat was sore for the first 24-36 hours but that was due to the tube they put in my throat to keep my airway open. It's like a bad sore throat.
My scar is there even after all these years if you look for it but it's not so readily visible anymore. My attitude is a little differant from many. I feel like, What the heck do I care about the scar at least I'm over it." I know you have alot more to consider with the wedding but your health is paramount. With all these new scar cremes on the market I'd give them a try.
Put your health first and don't worry about the scar...Like all brides, you'll be beautiful and no one will even notice!!! Follow your parents/family advice and get it done it will give you a piece of mind and inner peace not worrying about it anymore.
Thoughts and prayers,
liz
first of all....congrats on your upcoming wedding!!!! I was an October bride as well. You have enough to worry about with your upcoming wedding to throw this in the mix.Don't wait!! My TT was over ten years ago so it's been a while but I remember it very well. My dx was hashimoto's and I had the follicular adenoma's(sp?)two too be exact. Once in surgery a third was discovered that was not even picked up with the ultrasound.! The decision was made during the surgery to take the entire gland. Fortunately everything was benign and I have absolutely no regrets getting it done. I mean that......As far as the pain I managed my post surgical pain with only Tylenol. Mainly because I am allergic to most of the synthetic narcotics(percocet, etc.) and the ones I can take make me feel sick to my stomach. My throat was sore for the first 24-36 hours but that was due to the tube they put in my throat to keep my airway open. It's like a bad sore throat.
My scar is there even after all these years if you look for it but it's not so readily visible anymore. My attitude is a little differant from many. I feel like, What the heck do I care about the scar at least I'm over it." I know you have alot more to consider with the wedding but your health is paramount. With all these new scar cremes on the market I'd give them a try.
Put your health first and don't worry about the scar...Like all brides, you'll be beautiful and no one will even notice!!! Follow your parents/family advice and get it done it will give you a piece of mind and inner peace not worrying about it anymore.
Thoughts and prayers,
liz
They found my nodule on an unrelated CT scan. My youngest sister's nodule was discovered on a chest x-ray after (like you) a car accident. None of us had any abnormal thyroid lab results. I was over-cautious and decided to get my "suspicious" (shape and consistence) nodule removed. It was cancerous. My youngest sister (who had the x-ray a few months after my cancer diagnosis) decided to have a biopsy which was completely benign. She didn't feel good about it so decided to get her thyroid removed - it was Stage II cancer and had spread into her lymph nodes and breast tissue. After that *everyone* in the family had thyroid ultrasounds (three remaining sisters) - all had nodules. One more opted for a biopsy, which was also benign, she had it out and it was also cancerous. One more sister had cancer and the other was precancerous. My then 16-year old daughter also had her's removed and it was also precancerous. This was all within a year.
You have some worrisome signs: normal labs, cold nodule, choking, and growing nodule. It is up to you whether to have another biopsy, watch and see, or have it removed.
I had the surgery twice (the first time was only a partial and they didn't find the cancer until I was in recovery - the second time was after the rest of the family decided to get cancer too). Both surgeries were, in all honesty, the easiest surgeries I've ever had. Same goes for my sisters and my daughter. Others may not have had such easy times but for all six of us it was quite easy.
Sore neck after - mostly muscle soreness. The "sore throat" is from intubation - you can talk to the anesthesiologist first and request a smaller tube (works for me on my surgeries). The biggest problem that any of us faced after was a calcium drop (because of parathyroids) - that was muscle tingling and weakness which was taken care of by calcium IVs.
Others can give you their personal insights too. If you want to see my scar you can look on my profile page.
Hope this helps a bit.
Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
You have some worrisome signs: normal labs, cold nodule, choking, and growing nodule. It is up to you whether to have another biopsy, watch and see, or have it removed.
I had the surgery twice (the first time was only a partial and they didn't find the cancer until I was in recovery - the second time was after the rest of the family decided to get cancer too). Both surgeries were, in all honesty, the easiest surgeries I've ever had. Same goes for my sisters and my daughter. Others may not have had such easy times but for all six of us it was quite easy.
Sore neck after - mostly muscle soreness. The "sore throat" is from intubation - you can talk to the anesthesiologist first and request a smaller tube (works for me on my surgeries). The biggest problem that any of us faced after was a calcium drop (because of parathyroids) - that was muscle tingling and weakness which was taken care of by calcium IVs.
Others can give you their personal insights too. If you want to see my scar you can look on my profile page.
Hope this helps a bit.
Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03
recurrence and RAI '06 and possibly '08
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