Total Thyoidectomy for Substernal Goiter

[countrycarole]

My TT for substernal goiter is quickly approaching (next Tues, May 16th) and would appreciate any information from those who have gone through this surgery re length of surgery, pain, recuperation period, and any other general information to calm my "frazzled" nerves !!!

Thanks so much!

[Bananie22]

I have to call the day before my surgery to find out the time.  Sheesh!  I think that's weird...but oh well.  They did mention that he only has me on that day to operate on so it would probably be early.  They blocked off five hours in the OR for it.  He didn't tell me how long it would actually take, but he did say that I have a lot of scar tissue from the Hashi's and it would be more difficult to remove (great!).  I would rather not be under for five hours...but I sure don't want to wake up before it's done either.  ;)

I'm currently not working, which works out pretty good for me.  So you'll be out of work for two weeks...good.  Will you be able to work half days if you're still tired?

You'll be getting some prayers and good thoughts sent to you on Tuesday from me. It's fast approaching now...I really can't wait to have the surgery behind me.  I know you must feel the same way.  

Oh yeah, I had a question for maccie and Kar...how's your scars looking?  I hear they heal up nice.  Also, how soon till you washed them in the shower?  Once I'm home I'll probably have a ton more questions...I hope this thread lets us keep posting!

Have a great weekend ladies!

[countrycarole]

Bananie22:I haven't thought about returning to work after the 2 wks time on a part-time basis. I'm sure if I really felt the need, I would be able to. When I return to work I will only have to work 4 days since Monday is Memorial Day. Like you, I am sure I will have alot of questions after I return home from the surgery. The good news is that by next week at this time we should both be home and recuperating! Cannot wait.. My surgeon said that the surgery should only last about 2 hrs. I hope he wasn't lying !!!!! Of course, I don't want him to rush it if it should take longer.....

Maccie & Karmike: Glad you too are feeling better! You both have been so much help to me.

Have a good weekend!

Carole

[maccie]

The first 5 days my scar looked VERY RED and really ugly. It really looked like someone slit my throat. Now it isn't so bad. I wear a scarf if it is sunny out so the scar doesn't get in the sun. I figure it is too early to put on sunscreen.  The first couple of times I went out without a scarf I was very self conscience of my scar. I was out today and someone said my scar doesn't look so bad. I already had an incision on my neck from a spinal fusion. My thryoid sugeon said this scar would be smalled then my old one and my old one was less then pensil thin.Let's home he is right. Now it is pretty thick.
It gets sore when I am tired. I seem to be good for just under 3 hours being out. Then I get exhausted and need to come home. My voice gets very week and tired when I talk much, also. It feels like I am straining to talk when I get tired and I definately don't have a loud voice yet.
Karmeke- I had a terrible headache all day yesterday until I took a 3 hour nap after work. It was better most of the day and kind of back now. I have had migraines for years so that is not unusual for me. Some people kept saying after my surgery, perhaps my headache would go away. NOT YET :( I hope your is just the weather or stress or being overlytired.
I ate soft foods for about 4 days and then I really wanted to chew something! Sorbet tasted so good on the sore throat the first couple of days and people made me tons of soup. By day 5 I was making chicken in the crock pot and chile that was hearty but easy to swallow. Good-luck to you Countrycarole and Banane22.
I wish you the easiest speedist recovery!

[karmike]

Hi everyone!  Glad to hear that you 2 surgery ladies are getting a lot done before hand.  carole - I don't think you can have too much soft food, so you did real good shopping!  That's exactly what I would have suggested too!  2 things that I have enjoyed this past week are yogurt, Yoplait custard yogurt and Dannon "La Creme" is a real treat, goes down easy and tastes great, also sherbert is nice too. Oh also when you shop make sure you have things for nausea, just incase, like saltines, coke and gingerale. On the 3rd day out of surgery, I was craving Fettucine Alfredo, so I had my husband get take out and that went down real easy!  

My scar is healing good - my surgeon released me on Thursday - he told me to slowly start getting back into my regular routine.  He said the steri-strips should all fall off within another week's time and then to cover the scar with Curad Scar Therapy band-aids for another 3 weeks.  I'm told that it should heal real good and eventually fold into a wrinkle in my neck. I'm able to move my head more and more every day without my neck hurting.

I have my own house cleaning business, so I'm trying to figure on when I can go back to work.  I have a partner, so she's covering for me.  I'm thinking I may try just cleaning 1 house with my partner on Wed., then 2 on Thurs.   I'll see how it goes.  You both will be in my prayers this week, Carole on Tues. and bananie22 on Wed!  Have great weekends!

You too maccie!!!!! Hope your still doing good too!  I'm doing better with the nausea but I'm having headaches now, you mentioned you had headaches too - how long did they last?  Are they gone now?

[countrycarole]

Hi everyone. Thanks again for all the great information and support.

To my "surgery buddy": I am also trying to catch up this weekend on things that I need to do pre-surgery. I worked today but am taking this Monday off (the day before my surgery) because I just knew I would not be able to concentrate on working! I will return to work the day after Memorial day (May 30th).
Tonight I did my "after surgery" food shopping. Bought soup, instant mashed potatoes, noodles, pudding, applesauce, ice cream, ices, eggs and some frozen foods that are soft to eat. I just hope I didn't buy too many soft foods!!!

Like you, I am also paying bills, doing some washing and cleaning up. What time is your surgery scheduled for? Mine is at 11:30 AM but would have preferred it earlier but that is all that was available. Did your surgeon mention how long the surgery would last?

Carole

[Bananie22]

Karmike...that's awful about your friend.  I lost a dear friend from the same thing...she was only 32.  It's so sad.  

Just wanted to check in with the two recovery gals, and Carole, my surgery buddy.  I hope you all are doing well today.  I'm cleaning and paying bills and getting all organized so I can come home from surgery and veg out with no worries.  I will do a big shopping closer to the surgery and stock up on some...well what do you guys suggest?  Ice cream?  =)  Soup?  
Just plugging along today...hope you all are well and happy.