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THYROIDECTOMY
I am just looking to talk to someone (PEOPLE ) who has had a thyroidectomy. I just found out I need one for sure yesterday. Although I knew in my heart already I was not as prepared as I had hoped, it would be so comforting to talk to someone who has had this procedure done. I am so scared of surgery and even more scared to be put under. I know if I do not have this done soon I will possibly die, I feel sicker and weaker each day. I know nothing anyone can say will subside my fear 100% but again so much more comforting to speak to people who have dealt with this first hand. I look forward to hearing from you all !! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME : )
Hey Sheila - I am trying to chase you around the site and I keep missing you. I am off to bed - I you want - let's touch base tomorrow. If you need to - we can hook up anytime
I promised you and will stick to that!
I promised you and will stick to that!
You'll be in my prayers!
Isaiah 41:10 " Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:10 " Do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Lisa,
I wish you all the luck in the world. I like you only heard very rare and not common and actually never seen before...lol like that makes your feel at ease. I am so SCARED, more then I can say. I am finding a little piece in hearing the stories, but do get scared of being that percentage who does not do so well. I know I am making my self more of a wreck by thinking like this, but I can not help it. Only good thing is I refuse to be sick any longer and know I want my health and life back more then my fear of the surgery. I guess being sick for 12 weeks before finding out what really was going on helped prepare me for this a little bit more then if they had just said in a shorter time period YOU NEED SURGERY...that would have freaked me out more. I will again never be 100 % ready to have my throat cut open but what other choice do I have to live again...NONE!
I wish you all the luck in the world. I like you only heard very rare and not common and actually never seen before...lol like that makes your feel at ease. I am so SCARED, more then I can say. I am finding a little piece in hearing the stories, but do get scared of being that percentage who does not do so well. I know I am making my self more of a wreck by thinking like this, but I can not help it. Only good thing is I refuse to be sick any longer and know I want my health and life back more then my fear of the surgery. I guess being sick for 12 weeks before finding out what really was going on helped prepare me for this a little bit more then if they had just said in a shorter time period YOU NEED SURGERY...that would have freaked me out more. I will again never be 100 % ready to have my throat cut open but what other choice do I have to live again...NONE!
Hi, All!
I, too, like Sheila, just found out I have to have a total thyroidectomy. I had a FNA on October 27th, got the results November 6th, and now have to have surgery since they cannot tell if I have cancer or not. We are retired military so I had to wait for a base doc to review my case to see if he wanted to take it or let me go downtown where my endocrinologist is. Looks like I will be having the surgery done by the head oncologist on base. In a way I'm glad, as it is only 15 miles from my house and not 40 miles away like the other hospital.
I have a large left lobe - about 5-6 times normal size. The right side is twice the normal size. My FNA of the left lobe showed scattered hurthle cells with nuclear availability and are somewhat active. My doc told me that this is uncommon. He mentioned follicular cells, neoplasm, inflammation, and cystic mass. He was very careful to use every technical term but not mention the word cancer. He kept saying uncommon, unusual, etc. He said that 75% of the goiters are benign, but with the presence of all those hurthle cells that we realisticly need to look at the 25%. But again, he would not say cancer. He wants me to have a total thyroidectomy, as he thinks if I don't, then I will need to have the right side done in about 6 months anyway.
My thoughts are so scattered right now. This is scary. But I have read so many previous posts that have helped me feel better. Thank you. And thank you for reading this! (I wrote this before, about an hour ago, but when I tried to join the blog I lost all that I had typed.) Hopefully this makes it onto the board.
I, too, like Sheila, just found out I have to have a total thyroidectomy. I had a FNA on October 27th, got the results November 6th, and now have to have surgery since they cannot tell if I have cancer or not. We are retired military so I had to wait for a base doc to review my case to see if he wanted to take it or let me go downtown where my endocrinologist is. Looks like I will be having the surgery done by the head oncologist on base. In a way I'm glad, as it is only 15 miles from my house and not 40 miles away like the other hospital.
I have a large left lobe - about 5-6 times normal size. The right side is twice the normal size. My FNA of the left lobe showed scattered hurthle cells with nuclear availability and are somewhat active. My doc told me that this is uncommon. He mentioned follicular cells, neoplasm, inflammation, and cystic mass. He was very careful to use every technical term but not mention the word cancer. He kept saying uncommon, unusual, etc. He said that 75% of the goiters are benign, but with the presence of all those hurthle cells that we realisticly need to look at the 25%. But again, he would not say cancer. He wants me to have a total thyroidectomy, as he thinks if I don't, then I will need to have the right side done in about 6 months anyway.
My thoughts are so scattered right now. This is scary. But I have read so many previous posts that have helped me feel better. Thank you. And thank you for reading this! (I wrote this before, about an hour ago, but when I tried to join the blog I lost all that I had typed.) Hopefully this makes it onto the board.
Howdy, I had a TT on April 3, 2009. I also was scared but relieved that it was finally going to be removed. I went in as an outpatient in the morning, surgery took about two hours and was in a room by noon. My cut was covered with a bandage that fell off on its own in about two weeks. I did have two drains in my chest because the goiter was kinda large. I was supposed to stay for one day but was kept for a week because I had calcium issues because my parathroids weren't working. Also, I live 3 hours from the nearest medical help so Dr. kept me in the city. But, even with all that, I never had one minute of pain. They offered me meds and I never used any. I also ate dinner the same night. NO PROBLEMS...I went back to playing water volleyball in two weeks. Again, I can't stress enough, no one in my family who has also had the surgery had any pain. Going under anesthesia is just something that comes with the territory. You feel weird and groggy and wake up asking if it is all done and in my case asking to be left alone to sleep. I had no problems with the surgery, and didn't feel sick at all after anesthesia, just a little dry throat from the tube. I also, do not regret the surgery one bit. They are still working on getting my meds regulated, but that will come with time. Don't worry, be happy that they figured out that you need a TT. Many people suffer for years before the right diagnosis is found. I will pray that you will find peace and know everything will be alright.
I put off getting my thyroid removed for 12+ years simply because I was afraid of the surgery. I could not come to grips with the fact that someone was going to cut into my neck. I had a goiter (quite large) and thyroiditis. The goiter wound up giving me issues and I kept having little mini thyroid storms. I finally had the surgery on 6/5/09. I had spoken with my surgeon a few days prior and he went over everything that would be done and told me what to expect. I was a total wreck the morning of the surgery. I got a shot of something to calm me down and that's the last thing I remember until I woke up. The initial surgery was a breeze; some bleeding issues a few hours later so I had to go back in for a second surgery but it was all totally under control. It was a very, very rare occurence. I had zero pain afterwards. No pain from the incision and no pain from the tubes. I needed nothing stronger than tylenol and that was just for a headache. I was groggy and had a sour stomach for 1 day due to the anesthesia. I also had a lot of phlem so I coughed a lot for a few days. My main issue was that I was exhausted due to 2 surgeries. I was in the hospital for 2 days and the first week home was a blur. Went back to work at week 3. Felt more like myself around week 6. It's 6 months later and my meds are almost there. I feel the best that I've felt in years! I never realized how much my thryoid levels were impacting my life until it was gone. I don't regret the surgery one bit. Good luck!
As of this morning, it looks like December 15th will be my surgery day. Part of me wants it done sooner and the other part of me wants to procrastinate and wait forever ( only cause of my fear ) Grrrrrrr, why do I have to be suck a CKN ****? I wish I could be one of these people that has no fears. I see the surgeon next Monday and as it stands right now the 15th will more then likely be the day, unless he feels it should be done stat I was told. IA M SO SCARED, BUT SO READY TO START LIVING AGAIN. I do hope I am lucky enough to heal fast and get on my way to a life with my family again : )
I have not had thyroid surgery but i have had 2 spinal surgeries and the being put out part, is not scary or unpleasant at all. If you are worried, scared...please tell the anesthesiologist and the surgeon. They can give you something in pre-op, or pre-admissions that will not make you care WhaT they do to you. It just gives you a sense of calm and puts your worries away for the day.
Also, if youre worried about throwing up after, ask for some bi-carb before the surgery.
This works like a charm. It's a shot of lemony-bubbly stuff you drink out of a plastic mini-cup....size of a shot.
Good luck and dont worry! Youll do great.
Also, if youre worried about throwing up after, ask for some bi-carb before the surgery.
This works like a charm. It's a shot of lemony-bubbly stuff you drink out of a plastic mini-cup....size of a shot.
Good luck and dont worry! Youll do great.
I thought I was handling it all soooo well. I did fall apart when I was told initially that I had cancer and again when I had to tell people that I had it and would have to have my thyroid removed. My first thought? "You can't take that out, I need that" But then I came to medhelp and became informed. : ) I thought I was taking it so well. When I went to the surgeon the first time for consultation, my blood pressure was 172 over 109. So much for taking it well. At one point during the conversation, my daughter looked at me and said "MOM, you have to breath". Yeah....not taking it so well. I was turning a lovely shade of purple. When I stress out, I hold my breath.
And yes, it is terrifying to think that you are going to let someone cut your throat...at the very least, you should be able to punch someone in the face first right? You don't just let people do that as a general rule. They had a hard time getting my tennis shoes, because I wanted to be able to run the very minute I started to chicken out.
When talking out here, yes it is cancer and yes it is surgery, but there is life after. You may be a bit different in the energy category, you may be a bit grouchier for a while, but where you probably are having days now where you feel really super up one day and really really low the next? Those days were in the past for me after the surgery...No more roller coaster rides to the mad house. I truly thought I was going insane sometimes.
And yes, it is terrifying to think that you are going to let someone cut your throat...at the very least, you should be able to punch someone in the face first right? You don't just let people do that as a general rule. They had a hard time getting my tennis shoes, because I wanted to be able to run the very minute I started to chicken out.
When talking out here, yes it is cancer and yes it is surgery, but there is life after. You may be a bit different in the energy category, you may be a bit grouchier for a while, but where you probably are having days now where you feel really super up one day and really really low the next? Those days were in the past for me after the surgery...No more roller coaster rides to the mad house. I truly thought I was going insane sometimes.
Thank You all for sharing your stories with me. I wish My fear would just go away, but I know no matter how many stories I hear I will still be scared, but does give me some what of an idea of what to expect ( and that does help ). I have been watching videos of the surgery and my family feels I should not be doing that, but I feel I need to. I have always wanted to be a nurse and was suppose to go back to school in January, which is not happeneing now, anyway, I am not scared of the bloody surgery I am afraid more of the survival rates of the surgery. I can watch the surgery and not be squirmish but the thought of my throat being cut and knowing I do have veins and arteries that run through my neck scares me as does the anestisia. I am so scared to be put under! I think one of my worse fears. I know I am a BIG BABY!! I do how ever know in order to live and live a quality of life I amiss with my disease I have to do the surgery.Again Thank You all so much and please keep them coming.
I had a partial thyroidectomy last year. The surgery really wasn't bad. They put you to sleep, and as redheadaussie said, you're really groggy for a while after you wake up. My neck was swollen and bruised for several weeks, but ice will be your best friend after surgery (I was sent home with an ice pack to use). I didn't need any of the painkillers they gave me a script for since I really didn't have very much neck pain. The only problem I encountered were with the hormones that your thyroid dumps into your bloodstream when it's undergoing surgery! It takes a month or two sometimes to feel better, but I don't know that this happens to everyone.
So, chin up! It really will be easier than you think, and definitely not as scary. Take care!
So, chin up! It really will be easier than you think, and definitely not as scary. Take care!
I had just seen my third dr....Having explained that the synthroid they all kept putting me on was driving me insane and no one would listen...This one did. He immediately had me set up for a sonogram and he didn't like what he saw...Had me set up with an endocrinologist within a week. She did a fine needle asperation of a nodule and found cancer. She had me set up with a surgeon within a week for consult and a week later my thyroid was out. So a month after my dr saw the sonogram, my thyroid was out and I was waiting for RAI.
I was set up with my surgeon within a week of my diagnosis...He informed me that we had plenty of time to deal with this and I did not have to be in a hurry, but I was scared and just wanted it out...Papillary cancer...very treatable, but it's cancer right? I told him to do it as soon as possible and he set me up for the very next week. After that it was pretty much like redhead aussie said. I did not feel ill after.
My lymph nodes were in bad shape and dr became very concerned about lymphoma, so he harvested a lot of my lymph nodes and he took out my thymus (my what?) He said I didn't need that, but my thyroid and lymph nodes were very reactive to the hashimoto's disease. The lymphs that he took were not cancerous.
It was April 17th before I did the RAI (radioactive iodine) I had not been put on any medication in that time...they want your TSH to be elevated when they do that. Then on Apr 21, I started my synthroid again.
I was set up with my surgeon within a week of my diagnosis...He informed me that we had plenty of time to deal with this and I did not have to be in a hurry, but I was scared and just wanted it out...Papillary cancer...very treatable, but it's cancer right? I told him to do it as soon as possible and he set me up for the very next week. After that it was pretty much like redhead aussie said. I did not feel ill after.
My lymph nodes were in bad shape and dr became very concerned about lymphoma, so he harvested a lot of my lymph nodes and he took out my thymus (my what?) He said I didn't need that, but my thyroid and lymph nodes were very reactive to the hashimoto's disease. The lymphs that he took were not cancerous.
It was April 17th before I did the RAI (radioactive iodine) I had not been put on any medication in that time...they want your TSH to be elevated when they do that. Then on Apr 21, I started my synthroid again.
Hi there. I had to have 2 surgeries 5 months apart. Left side done first, then right. I have actually had 11 surgeries in total and can tell you that each one is pretty much the same!
You go in after fasting all night, you usually fill in the admission forms, get a pretty id bracelet on wrist and usually ankle as well, then get weighed, the anesthetist will come take your blood pressure ask a few questions. You get into a gown and wait for a while. Then the nurses will take you through to either have a pre-med tablet, (sedative) or you just go straight on in to surgery, being now a prisoner of the gurney you are on! (just kidding!) Often the surgeon will greet you then they will either, stick a needle in your arm, or a mask on your face and you will no way be able to fight the konk out feeling you get. It's really quite addictive! Wish I could have some when I can't sleep now! Hee hee.
Then when you wake up, you will be in recovery under care. They will force you to wake up, even if you feel totally spacked out. (This is to make sure you are not going to stay under for ever!) You might feel like upchucking, you might not. ( I did, but that is just me!) You will feel quite groggy and out of it. After having your blood pressure checked every half hour or so for the first couple of hours you will then be wheeled to a ward, or day surgery recovery (depending on your hospital and what they choose, but you will know that in advance well before the day of the surgery) There you will be poked for temp and blood pressure but not as often. They may even take a blood sample for the calcium levels at that time too. (often drops immediately after surgery due to manhandling the parathyroids)
Then after they leave you alone you can sleep! It takes a few more hours before you will be allowed to drink anything. You probably won't feel like eating till the next day.
You will more than likely have a large cotton wool pressure pad under a sticky bandage. It will feel quite tight and your neck might ache from being stretched out supine for so long in the theatre. Give it a few days before you start to stretch it gently.
And so that is it! Pretty much! Anything I have forgotten I will tell you later!
Ask away, as knowledge is the conquerer of fear!
Cheers
You go in after fasting all night, you usually fill in the admission forms, get a pretty id bracelet on wrist and usually ankle as well, then get weighed, the anesthetist will come take your blood pressure ask a few questions. You get into a gown and wait for a while. Then the nurses will take you through to either have a pre-med tablet, (sedative) or you just go straight on in to surgery, being now a prisoner of the gurney you are on! (just kidding!) Often the surgeon will greet you then they will either, stick a needle in your arm, or a mask on your face and you will no way be able to fight the konk out feeling you get. It's really quite addictive! Wish I could have some when I can't sleep now! Hee hee.
Then when you wake up, you will be in recovery under care. They will force you to wake up, even if you feel totally spacked out. (This is to make sure you are not going to stay under for ever!) You might feel like upchucking, you might not. ( I did, but that is just me!) You will feel quite groggy and out of it. After having your blood pressure checked every half hour or so for the first couple of hours you will then be wheeled to a ward, or day surgery recovery (depending on your hospital and what they choose, but you will know that in advance well before the day of the surgery) There you will be poked for temp and blood pressure but not as often. They may even take a blood sample for the calcium levels at that time too. (often drops immediately after surgery due to manhandling the parathyroids)
Then after they leave you alone you can sleep! It takes a few more hours before you will be allowed to drink anything. You probably won't feel like eating till the next day.
You will more than likely have a large cotton wool pressure pad under a sticky bandage. It will feel quite tight and your neck might ache from being stretched out supine for so long in the theatre. Give it a few days before you start to stretch it gently.
And so that is it! Pretty much! Anything I have forgotten I will tell you later!
Ask away, as knowledge is the conquerer of fear!
Cheers
Why do you have to have the operation? I had a TT in June of this year, I am now on the right dose of hormone. I had thyroid cancer, went through RAI in late July. The surgeries were the easy part (I started with a lobectomy, two surgeries total.) I felt great after the lobectomy, and after the TT I felt OK for three weeks, then I hit the wall. I had to wait seven weeks for RAI, felt AWEFUL! But it is not so bad, the surgeries were easy, the hypo hell was not.
Did the surgeon get you in immediately? What is the protocal for surgery? I would imagine it depends on the particular case, but could you share a little bit of the consult to surgery how it works/
I had a total thyroidectomy on March 25th. I am 45 years old...I have never had any medical procedure done before ever...other than giving birth to my daughter.
I was terrified. But I had some things going for me...People out here were great...my doctors and my surgeon explained things in a reassuring and in a way that I could understand and then I came here....The C word was mentioned and I was in a panic.
When I had my surgery, I pretty much went to sleep and woke up groggy and it was done ...I really did not feel as bad as I thought I would...I was tired..my throat did not hurt terribly...I did take pain pills for a couple of days, but it was easy for me to get off of them...there was the incision, which looked like a really nasty and long paper cut...mine was not stitched. I had a weird bandaid that peeled off in a couple of weeks. I was off of work for 10 days. It's taking me longer to get my energy back than I thought it would. And sometimes I seem a bit more emotional than I used to be, but basically I just felt like me...just more tired.
I'm on meds...every day.
Right now it's 7 months later...all of my blood levels are where the dr's want me to be. Cancer is not showing on my scans and I am starting to go to the gym...It's time to start building up again and trying to tone down...I still seem to have to build some strength up...
If you need to talk, just come on out...there is always someone here to answer questions and get you thru the rough moments. There is life after a thyroidectomy and once you get your levels right, you might even find yourself with less of the ups and downs that you had before....
I was terrified. But I had some things going for me...People out here were great...my doctors and my surgeon explained things in a reassuring and in a way that I could understand and then I came here....The C word was mentioned and I was in a panic.
When I had my surgery, I pretty much went to sleep and woke up groggy and it was done ...I really did not feel as bad as I thought I would...I was tired..my throat did not hurt terribly...I did take pain pills for a couple of days, but it was easy for me to get off of them...there was the incision, which looked like a really nasty and long paper cut...mine was not stitched. I had a weird bandaid that peeled off in a couple of weeks. I was off of work for 10 days. It's taking me longer to get my energy back than I thought it would. And sometimes I seem a bit more emotional than I used to be, but basically I just felt like me...just more tired.
I'm on meds...every day.
Right now it's 7 months later...all of my blood levels are where the dr's want me to be. Cancer is not showing on my scans and I am starting to go to the gym...It's time to start building up again and trying to tone down...I still seem to have to build some strength up...
If you need to talk, just come on out...there is always someone here to answer questions and get you thru the rough moments. There is life after a thyroidectomy and once you get your levels right, you might even find yourself with less of the ups and downs that you had before....
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