surgery/ what happensa next

[kl42]

going to a surgeoin next tue.. biopsy came back with cancerous ans precancerous cells on both sides of the thyroid gland.. was told i have to get it removed... what happened next..  what happens after the surgurey.  what side effects .. how long does it take you to adjust to hormones .  any ides ?  thanks

[utahmomma]

Do you know what type of cancer - this makes a difference?

Here's what to expect:  Surgery is, relatively, easy.  With cancer on both sides of your thyroid they will probably be taking out lymph nodes too - this is called a "neck dissection".  (Talk to your surgeon about all of this).  They may also need to look at the tissue around your thyroid to see if the cancer has spread into any of your surrounding tissues.

Usually the surgery lasts 2-4 hours but can go a bit longer if they need to check all lymph nodes and surrounding tissues.  

Usually you will be out of the hospital anywhere from 24-48 hours after surgery but, if there is a lot of extensive surgery it may be a bit longer.

After your surgery you will be needing a dose of radioactive iodine (or I-131 or, as we call it: RAI) (if it is papillary or follicular carcinoma) so they will probably *not* be giving you thyroid hormone replacement meds right after surgery.  If they *DO* try - talk to the oncologist or an endocrinologist first . . . meds at this point will slow down your RAI treatment.

If it is medullary or anaplastic cancers there is a completely different treatment method used so starting thyroid replacement meds at this point *might* be okay - only your oncologist can make that call though.

Right after your RAI treatment (which you will need since there is cancer is both lobes - don't let your doctors overlook it!!) you will be started on thyroid replacement hormones.  These will take about 6-8 weeks to balance out and there will be blood tests taken to make sure that it is the correct dosage then your levels will be "tweaked" from that point.  You will have follow up labs run every 3-6 months after that and scans/x-rays at least yearly.

Here's a good, basic reference site:  http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroidca.html

Before you see the surgeon you need to make sure that all of your scans and labs are at the surgeon's office.  There should also be an x-ray or CT scan done to see if the thyroid cancer/thyroid tissue has spread into the chest.

I'm sorry you are going through this but you've found a great site for help.

take care

Utahmomma
papillary carcinoma '03, second surgery '04
recurrence and RAI '06 and '08
three sisters with papillary carcinoma (one with three recurrence/RAI and distant metastases)
other sister and my daughter with precancerous nodules

[kl42]

thank for info once again.. kevin.. ill post again after appt. on tue..

[kl42]

once again trhanks.. posted the report under enlaged nodules/ can they shrink this .. thanks

[alice471]

Hi,

I had my thyroid removed due to cancer back in July. I was in hospital for 1 night. I found my neck was sore for a few weeks but it quickly got better. After the surgery I started taking liothyronine.

This was followed by radioactive iodene therapy in August. I was in hospital for 2 nights but it realy depends on how quilckly the radioactivity leaves your body. I was told to drink plenty. I have had 2 scans since and last week was transfered onto thyroxine. I am not feeling 100% yet but from what ive read hear i need to wait a bit longer for the medication to take full effect. Good Luck

[kl42]

thanks.. hope you feel better soon.

[geezersgirl]

Hi all,
I had a TT on 9/09/08.  Papillary cancer on both sides.  Surgery was long almost 5 hours.  Stayed in the hospital one night.  Having RAI on 10/22.  Am currently hypothyroid since they pulled all meds weeks ago.  I am eager to get this going and get on with life.  My surgery was not horrible but I would not want to do it again.  I just remember that I am fighting a war against the cancer.  I have gained a few pounds but I know I can get back to the gym soon.  This is a battle I intend to win. -Karen

[kl42]

you will  !! hang in there.. this has been a very long bad year.. i hope this will be the end of my problems that started 11 months ago... hang in there..one good thing a doctor told me was that it only gets better not worse.. hope you feel well soon.. i miss the gym also..lost 50 pounds and gained 70 pounds back this year..  kevin

[geezersgirl]

I have gained about 10 back of the 27 I have lost since May.  It is frustrating isn't it?   I just have to look at the big picture and realize that the cancer is the enemy right now, not my weight.  I hope you are also on the way back to a normal healthy life.  Just keep your head up and remember there are alot of us out there that share this with you.  I am thankful that I found this site and can talk to people who really understand.- Karen

[kl42]

got second opinion.. both say thyroid has to come out... *****...   now going to have to wait a month for surgery... not looking foward to it... kevin

[utahmomma]

Yeah, get it OUT.  Why do you have to wait a month?  There should be quite a few competent surgeons available who have done lots of these surgeries.  You should have tons of good hospitals and surgeons around you - even if you have to travel into NY.

Call and throw a fit . . . I mean, remind them that you have CANCER and need it out.  (big "duh" to the scheduling people!!!)

(pounding my head on the wall at our health "care" system)

You'll do great.  Ask all the questions you want - we're all here for you.

Utah

[kl42]

thanks ive been dealing with the system for 11 months now.. its crazy..  they say the holdup is the hospital.. doctors are affiliated with it.. unbelievable.  and im in the ny nj area.  always 2 weeks for an appt. 2 weeks for a test. 1 week for results. months pass just waiting on appts. and results..  thanks again.   kevin

[geezersgirl]

I agree with utahmomma, you have to be your own advocate.  I pushed and pushed until I got the appts. and surgery scheduled.  I called almost everyday asking about cancellations to see the Dr.  I think they got so tired of me they got me in.  On a side note I am now 9 days out of RAI treatment and have started the levoxyl.  Been 3 days on it and I am already seeing improvement.  I actually hit the pool today and got in a few laps.  There is a light at the end of this tunnel and I am barreling towards it.  Hang in there Kevin and you will get there too.  This is a war you are fighting and cancer is not going to win! Please keep us posted.- Karen

[utahmomma]

Here's a though. Call and try to get an appointment ASAP - when they put you off for weeks ask to speak to someone in charge, when you get that person try again, if you get stonewalled again ask to whom your attorney should address the paperwork.

It's worked for me on a few other things.  Worth a try

[kl42]

got pre approval tests for operation today ..ekg, other test,   lots of fun..fun ..fun..    

[utahmomma]

at least its progress

[kl42]

surgurey date is nov, 20 th..  

[kl42]

hope the surgurey solves the other problems,, energy, heart papultations,  my doctor thinks it will all be good after this.. says nothing wrong with my heart.  kevin

[utahmomma]

Congratulations on your surgery date.  Thyroid problems wreak havoc with your heart.  It's given me palpitations, high BP, low BP . . . all depending on what mood my thyroid is in at the time.  Getting your diseased/cancerous thyroid out is the first step.  RAI will be the next one.  Once all of that disease is removed and your levels stabilize then they can begin figuring out everything else.

Keep us posted and congratulations on your surgery date!