Surgery set for me

[Lightsmsb]

Hello all, I am a 38 y/o male that is about to be going under the knife next week for a possible TT for a "suspecious" Papilliary cancer it's approx 1.1 cm on the left side.  My labs were all normal.  What should I expect starting when I wake up after the surgery?  I have not been started on anything at all.  Really nervous about all this happening to me.  It was an accidental finding. Lucky me!!!  I see my surgeon on Monday 1/8/06 for the preop and then the surgery is 1/11/06.  How long does folks with uncomplicated Thyroid surgeries usually stay in the Hospital? What will happen post op?  Just want to hear it from surviviors of this instead of the Doctor.  Thanks for the support!  Scott

[EspritLibre]

Does everyone need surgery for nodules?  My endo is ultrasounding mine tomorrow (after watching for 1 year) & last year he said "this doesn't worry me"  

What's up???

[malawi]

Scott
Im a 44 year old male and just had a TT for stage 1 follicular cancer on dec 12th.Also had RAI treatment on dec 27th and have my body scan on monday the 8th.Mine was a 2.8 cm lump that i noticed while shaving.My surgery went very well and the tumor came out easily and had not gone to any lymphnodes.Pap and follicular are very treatable and about the same as cure rate.A very good book that helped me was thyroid for dummies by dr rubin it really put things into perspective.Basically people at my level and age of cancer 100% of them were still alive and healthy 15 years later.Of course there are few certanties in life but as i said it sure puts it into perspective...that with all the good info on these boards i went from freaking out inside to remaining fairly calm inside..its alot better to understand things than fear them.Im ex military myself(army)and very much into lifting weights and exercising so when i found out i was sandbagged but all u can do is learn and fight..i was back to riding a statinary bike one week after surgery and im back to lifting weights again(very light of course).They started me on 125mcg of levothyroxine on dec 27th and other than some lethargy and minor joint aches i feel pretty good.Anyway enough rambling,My wife promised me i could watch all the football i want this weekend so time to go..Ha Ha HA
best of luck to you and feel free to ask anything the people on these boards have been amazing for info and support
Roman

[Mumzilla]

Scott, welcome to our little group.  I had TT on Dec6, 2006.  My nodules were found by accident, after bi-lateral pnemonia.  The surgery made me a bid nervous, but let me tell ya,  I had my tonsils removed 3 years ago, and recovery from thyroid surgery was a piece of cake compared to a tonsillectomy.  Keep good thoughts, find put all the info you can, and educate yourself. The best weapon we have against this is knowledge. Prayers are with you....Mum

[ChitChatNine]

I will be thinking of you.  My surgery is on the 9th.  "Atypical" FNA for follicular cancer found in a 1.7cm nodule found quite by routine physical.  I hope you only have good news (mine, too, will do frozen section).  Glad you found a surgeon you are happy with.  I interviewed 4 professionals (2 ENT's, 1 Endo, and my Primary Care Physician) and all agreed 1/2 must come out.

Cheryl

[Lightsmsb]

Hello all, thanks for the information.  Yes I am freaking out in the inside trying to keep my composure on the outside especially for my 2 kids (9 & 12).  I found out I had a "suspecious" papilliary thru FNA.  I had an ultrasound and MRI.  I do not have anyother medical issues except this now.  They actually found my nodule by accident when I was going thru another battery of test for my eye (that is another story!!!) and when they ultrasounded my carotids is when they found the little bugger.  All my blood tests are normal!  

Just reading everything I was only reading cancer patients of women and with gloters and hashimotos.  I was concerned I was the only male with normal test results beside this papillary stuff.  I saw an endo and 3 other surgeons (2 Navy ENT surgeons and 1 Civilian ENT)  We decided to go with the civilian surgeon becuase he was able to answer our questions and we didnt have to drive 300 miles to get this taken care of thru the Military (since I am in the Navy too).  Iam a hospital Corpsman and I used to work in Anesthesia so I know what to expect there and know how surgeries happen in th OR however, I never saw a thyroid surgery so this is unknown to me.

Question, does our diet have to change without a thryoid? (  meaning since the thyroid cannot filter the iodine(since it's gone) do we have to limit or take away these kinds of food?  I really love seaweed, have to drink soy milk if I want to eat breakfast cereal or my wife's homemade icecream, etc..  Is that why there are tons of low iodine cookbooks I see on the internet?  I understand if I have to go thru the I131 treatment I have to limit this for a positive test results, but when I am not going thru that what is life like for eating??  I am apprx 187lbs.

The surgeon told me he will do a frozen biopsy on the left lobe to get a initial report and that result will determine if the other side comes out.  Mine is only 1.1cm and the MRI results stated that no lymph activity for this size criteria.  The surgeon was happy with this report but told me he will know better once he sees the area.

Also what is this thing I see about hair loss?  I am not really concerned about hairloss right now especially that I am in the Navy and already have short hair!  hahaha

Thanks again!  I am sure I will have more questions! :)

[venora]

Hi Scott this is a very exclusive club and you have to be real special to join.LOL Everyone here is so wonderful and supportive.
I had my goiter out in September.I found this board after they found my little cancer in the goiter.
So keep us posted on your progress.I will say prayer for your surgery to go well.
Lovev Venora