recovery from partial thyroidectomy

[Lisa1433]

I had a partial thyroidectomy on 11/12 due to highly suspicious nodule.  The test came back positive and my surgeon wants to take the other half out in 4-6 weeks.   I've felt better every day of recovery with the exception of my engery levels.  Today I woke up feeling really good.  But quickly after getting up I feel extremely tired, dizy, lighthead and have a headache.  Is this normal?  I'm still taking my thyroid meds.  I haven't felt this low since the surgery.   It's pretty hard just to keep my head up to type this question.  Anyone else felt this way and when do I start feeling better?

[corina26]

How do you all feel after surgery. I am going for it soon, due to Graves Disease. I am refusing RAI, would just go ahead and take it out. Is a partial making you hypo? Please, I need your input. Thanks.

[Lisa1433]

Thanks for the comments.  I put the right day in for my second surgery but wrong date, it's the 3rd, wednesday.  Answering some of your questions my cancer was very small, they caught it very early.  Hopefully there won't be any more in any of the nodules on the other side.  The one spot with cancer was Follicular and was only .7cm.  Did you stay longer then a day in the hospital for your second one?  I was over night for my first and in good health prior to surgery.  This one I'm coming down with a head cold and of course still healing inside. It was nice that they gave you something to get through the holidays with.  Let me know how RAI goes for you.

Take care and have a great christmas and new year.  Lisa

[Reese120]

Hi Lisa~

I know exactly how you feel!  I had the 1st 1/2 of my thyroid out on 11/4 and was told the frozen section was benign.   5 days later I found out I had pap thyca.  Had my 2nd surgery 11/14.  I was like you, I had just started to feel good from the first when I had to have the second.  For me, the 2nd was harder but everyone is different.  I will say tho, my scar looks amazing!!  I am 2 weeks and 2 days past my 2nd surgery.  I will be having RAI the week of January 12.  Your endo will help you plan that out after your 2nd surgery.  I was not sent home on any thyroid meds and I was quite hypo by the time I saw my endo this past Wed..  he placed me on Cyntomel until 12/28 to get me thru the holidays.  I am so grateful for that.   What type of thyca do you have?  How big?  Mine was a 3/5 cm fully encapsulated papillary cancer.  My 2nd 1/2 of my thyroid along with the lymph nodes removed during surgery showed no cancer - yeah!  Please feel free to ask me anything or to vent.  We are all in the same boat!  Good luck tomorrow!!!

~~hugs~~

[Lisa1433]

I go back into the hospital for the left thyroidectomy on wed. Dec. 1.  Not looking forward to it.  Just getting back into my normal routine and recovering nicely from the right thyroidectomy.  My doctor says this one might be a little worse then the right one was.  How long after surgery before I can start the RAI.  Should I be looking for a Cancer doctor now?  Or will my surgeon refer me to one after surgery?  I really appreciate any advice or suggestions given.  This site has been a real help for me.  It's nice to hear that other people have or are having the same feelings/diaganosis that I am.

Thanks, Lisa

[Lisa1433]

Thank you.  No one mentioned this effecting my vision.  Glad to hear someone else felt like I did.  Sorry to hear your condition.  I'm dreading going off my thyroid meds but my doctor has told me the same thing prior to RAI.  Hope all goes well for you and your RAI treatment goes fast.  Thanks again for your comments.

[Reese120]

Hi Lisa~

I was in your shoes!  In fact, I just got back from getting my steri strips and stiches out today from my SECOND surgery!  I had my first surgery on 11/4.  The frozen biospy showed my 3.5 cm nodule to be benign.  6 days later I got the call from the doctor that it was papillary thyroid cancer.  I went in on 11/14 to have the other half removed.  The second surgery, for me, was harder then the first.  I was still wiped out from the first surgery.  I wanted to wait but my surgeon said no because he did not want scar tissue to start to form.  My scar looks good so far.  The second surgery is longer because they look at your lymph nodes and check things out very thoroughly.  My first surgery my throat felt fine, this surgery I fell like someone has their hands around my neck.  Also a lump feeling in my throat.  I had the blury vision after my first surgery but not after my 2nd.  After the second surgery make sure to watch out for tingling in the face and hands and feet.  If so, it means you need calcium.  Call for the nurse.  I was not placed on thyroid hormones because I have to have RAI.  I meet with my endo next Wed..  I am exhausted adn I get winded very fast when walking fast or running up and down my steps.  

If I can be of any more help, please just ask.  I know how you feel!

~hugs~

[Lisa1433]

Another question or two for anyone else that has has partial or total thyroidectomy.  My PT was on 11/12 and for the most part I think I'm healing pretty well with the exception of being very lightheaded and get dizzy very easily.  I've also noticed a change in my vision.  It's really hard for me to focus on things close up and fine print.  Is this normal?  I'm scheduled for the other half to be removed on 12/3.  My surgeon says the surgery should be the same or a little bit rougher.  For those that have had two seperate surgeries is the second one the same or worse?  Thanks for your comments I really appreciate it them.  

[Super_sally888]

Get your thyroid hormone levels checked.  They are probably fluctuating now or dropping since the surgery and this will contribute to how you feel.  It will take a while and adjustment of thyroid meds to start feeling good, even aside from the recovery from the surgery.

S

[jolara]

Hi Lisa.
I'm really sorry you're having a tough time recovering from your surgery. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to have your path came back positive and you have to go through the surgery again. I've read about several others on here who have had the same thing happen to them.
I'm scheduled for my partial on Friday (same exact reasons you had yours.). My Dr. said that if my path comes back positive that they would like to re-do the surgery within a week of the results. His nurse said that he likes to re-do the surgery immediately before any scar tissue has a chance to form and therefore eliminate any complications.
I hope you feel better soon and please let us know what your Dr. says at your post op. tomorrow.
*hugs*
Jolara

[Lisa1433]

The FNA showed highly suspicious for neoplasm and confirmed Hashimotos.  But the frozen path taken in surgery was inconclusive.  Therefore they only removed the right lobe with the suspicious nodule.  My sugeron called back the day after I came home and told me that the path report was positive but didn't say which type it was.  Or if he did I don't remember.  Tomorrow I have my followup and will be setting the next sugery date.  Is it best to have the second one done asap or wait a while between the two?  Once cancer is confirmed do you have to have all the thyroid removed or is there an alternative treatment that allows you to keep part of your thyroid? I'm very weak already and am scared of how weak I'm giong to be after the second surgery.  Is there anything I can do now to make me stronger after the second surgery?

[ChitChatNine]

Yes, you had major surgery with major stitches inside, too.  It takes a toll on you.  Iam so sorry it is positive, but you are in the right place.  Many here have had 2 surgeries back to back and + results.

What type of cancer?  Did it not show up + on the frozen path during surgery or was it an incidental finding?  If so how large and get a copy of the path report for your records.

Any further info can help us give you our thoughts.

C~
patial 1/07
micro's found .. tiny paps