Post op recovery of partial thyroidectomy

[lainiebel]

I've have been so blessed in my lifetime...in my sixties, super strong, lots of energy and healthy - last surgery T&A at age 4....and that's why I am scared out of my skin of my impending surgery at the end of the month.  My mom had herthele cell carcinoma, major surgery - I've had a nodule for ten years that within the last 2 years has taken on a life of its own.  Growth is only noticable to the docs, but my endocrinologist and surgeon (Chief of the Head, Neck and Throat Dept) both feel it's time to remove the left thyroid now ast 4.9 centimeters and the parathyroids will need to go too.  Eight biopsies all inconclusive for CA,  all T levels have been perfectly normal, so we're hoping the right thyroid is picking up the slack of the left gland.  I'm also a professional vocalist and am so frightened of losing my voice.  Specialists are coming in to monitor all the nerves as they become exposed to the surgeon.  I know I have the best team, but I am so frightened of the post op - what to expect....scared of breathing difficulties, bleeding, swallowing, choking, will I gain weight, lose energy and hair...and what to do to help heal the scar.  I have a lot of faith, but, I must admit, this is really testing my spirit....HELP!!!!!  Thank you!

[MANmom]

I am also a professional vocalist, I have had two surgeries this year, both hemithyroidectomies, both were successful, I had a great surgeon.  You need a great surgeon, one who does at least 50 thyroids a year and can show you his statistics on his surgeries.  Mine left a thin film of tissue around the recurrent laryingeal nerve, then we destroyed that leftover film with RAI.  I am now about 8 weeks post RAI treatment and am going back to choir next week.  I don't think I have missed a note, but that will remain to be seen once the Bernstein Mass comes out!  After the surgeries, I was up and walking 2-3 miles about three days afterwards, it was not bad.  I had no pain, stopped taking any meds about day 4, mainly plain ole tylenol.  My scar looks very good, almost unnoticeable.  I was only in the hospital a night after each surgery.  I had multifocal stage 1 papillary carcinoma, I had at least 5 tumors, most were very small, but one was large, 1.5 cm.  I gained only 20 pounds despite having to wait 7 weeks for my RAI, that was the worst part.  I have lost about 7 or 8 since, and hope to get rid of the rest soon.  My biopsy was also inconclusive (benign follicular clusters), all my T hormones were also normal, except for the TPO antibodies, which were positive.  Sounds like your situation.  You will not know for sure unless you get the thing out and have a thorough biopsy.  Good luck, hopefully the hemithyroidectomy will be all you need...

[loonette]

Hi,
I am a teacher and was really afraid that my livelihood would be affected by surgery as well.  If you can't speak, you can't teach.  I needed a goiter removed which turned out to be papillary carcinoma T2.  Going through that whole cancer diagnosis right now.  But your concern is the surgery.  Been there too.  It is scary, but know that your team with specialists involved is competent.  They have performed many of these surgeries before.  My surgeon was great (a bit old school but competent).  I had no parathyroid disruption which can cause calcium levels to drop, no vocal nerve damage at all (I could speak clearly after surgery), and the scar although scary looking at first has really healed up well.  It all takes time.  There were no breathing difficulties experienced.  Swallowing of course takes time to feel normal after neck surgery.  I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 days!!  Most people only 1-2 days.  As I said, I think my surgeon was being really cautious.  The hospital bill was outrageous.  Thank goodness I was covered.

It's normal to have such anxiety.  No one wants surgery, but if growth is detected then there needs to be a pathology taken to rule out cancer.  Since you have had no surgeries before (I've had a few procedures/surgeries), let me tell you that they ask you a lot of questions which is good.  All nurses/doctors will ask you what is being done today like they don't know.  These are confirmations.  Also, in my experience you will go to a "holding room" for surgery with others getting surgery that day.  You will meet with your anesthesiologist (more questions) and then, you will get the most wonderful drug (sorry it is).  It puts you in the most relaxed state and off to dream land.  I only remember going through the door and didn't even see the operating room.  Other surgeries I have been in the operating room and then get the mask and off to dream land.  Either way, it is so relaxing!  Next thing you know, you will be in a room to monitor your recovery from anesthesia before going to your hospital room.  

After surgery, you will notice the scar is quite bulgy, at least mine was.  I thought it was going to burst.  The swelling all goes down.  I looked like Frankenstein at one point, but it goes away.  Used Mederma for the scar just not sure it has worked.  Itched like crazy a couple of times.  Others on site can offer different remedies like Vitamin E oil.

If you have no thyroid (you are getting a TT right?) you will be put on thyroid hormones.  Believe me you want those.   You will have no thyroid gland to produce these hormones --hypothyroid afterward.  You say the parathyroids have to go too?  Doctors will watch your calcium levels.  My surgeon kept thumping the sides of my face for a reaction.  He never got any.  My calcium levels were fine.

Then, it would be time to deal with everything that goes with being hypothyroid.  You know as I have dealt with this whole thyroid thing I equate it to the hurdle jump or a bridge.  There will be another hurdle or another bridge.  You will cross that bridge when you come to it.  Many here can answer some of those questions.  Let me know when you are there.  

Everything will really be fine.  My mantra is now:  Always get copies of labs/pathology reports for yourself.  You have to be your own advocate in health care.

Take care.