Thyroid Surgery Possible Cancer

[mygfworld]

I've been having thyroid problems for over a year now. It looks like the dr will be removing my throid. Cancer is suspected. I'm waiting for the official test results. I already have Celiac and Hashimotos. It seems other autoimmune diseases have started up too. Feeling like I'm falling apart. So depressing.

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.

How bad is the surgery?

What is the most helpful thing for recovery?

How do you cope?

Thanks!

[Jestgar]

Surgery is basically nothing. I stayed an extra day in the hospital because of parathyroid issues, but most people are released the next day. Pain was minimal, went away quickly, and most people don't realize I have a scar unless I tell them.

[StacyA]

I've known two people who went through surgery - both with flying colors. This may sound terrible - but if you could choose a cancer, doctors say thyroid cancer is one to choose. And one friend was soooo worried about a scar - but the doctor hid it in the natural wrinkle of her neck.

Big thing: check with the hospital kitchen ahead of time about if they can accommodate your diet if you have to stay there overnight. Otherwise pack some food or have plans for people to bring you food if you have to stay overnight (but most of the time it's an outpatient procedure, as far as I know.)

[celiac-mommy]

  On 4/7/2010 at 1:42 AM, StacyA said:

I've known two people who went through surgery - both with flying colors. This may sound terrible - but if you could choose a cancer, doctors say thyroid cancer is one to choose.

I was going to say the same. I've had the surgery twice. Once when I was 8 and the other a few years ago. Every test I had before each surgery was inconclusive for cancer (multiple tumors all over the gland). The only issue I had with the first surgery was a possible complication of having my vocal chords severed. The post-op report (I obtained later) specifically stated that my chords were complete and intact. I had a voice, but it was really raspy for quite a while and I didn't completely get my full voice back for about a year. Later I was diagnosed with "exercise induced asthma" because I couldn't breathe when I ran at all, but inhalers didn't help. When all the tumers started growing again in my 20's, I saw some fabulous Dr's, and the surgeon who was going to remove the other 1/2 of the gland wanted to make sure all the vocal chords were intact so he sent me to an ENT dr to take a look. My left set of chords are severed and are wrapped around 1/2 of my trachea, paralyzed, so I don't have full expansion of my trachea when I'm breathing hard--exercising. It opens into a "D" shape instead of a complete "O" They had to be super careful during the 2nd surgery that they didn't injure or cut the other side, otherwise I'd most likely have a trach' for the rest of my life, but the 2nd surgery went totally smooth, and although they told me I'd probably never be able to run a mile, I've been running for years now and have completed many long distance runs since--I just know my limits

I'm not telling you this to scare you at all, as far as the surgery goes- super easy, just be aware that there are some possible complications. No regrets either, if I had to choose between having cancer and severing a set of vocal chords--cut the chords any day!

[wjp]

I also have Hashimoto's and my right thyroid was removed in 2007. Just diagnosed with Celiac 1/10. As far as the surgery it was not bad. I stayed over night and even though they suspected cancer, it was not. My right thyroid was extremely inflamed (part of the Hashimoto's) but I did feel a lot better after the surgery. Voice raspy for about 1 to 2 weeks but was fine after that. Hope everything goes well for you.

[one more mile]

I had the surgery two years ago. I held it off because of fear of the scar. But the doctor did such a good job that most people do not see it till i point at it. It is in a natural neck crease. It looked really bad at first.so I wore a scarf for a few weeks.

The hard part was the biopsy they did before the surgery to look for cancer. They had do to that because the surgery is a little different if you do have cancer. They missed my cancer because it was tiny. Basically the size of a pencil point. It was fully encapsulated so I had the option of chemo. The doctor was leaving it up to me, which I though was a bad choice. So I leaned forward and asked if I was your sister or mother what would you tell me. We spiked the chemo. He just watches the blood work.

I feel so much better two years latter. sounds odd but My allergies are so much better after my thyroid was removed. My energy level is much more consistent day to day.

[masterjen]

I feel for you. I don't have thyroid issues, but I have neuro. and autoimmune issues going on that I am getting checked out. I know what you mean about feeling like you're falling apart: up until such a short time ago I was so vital and energetic and now I feel pretty pathetic.

[georgie]

My Goitre and nodules disappeared after using Armour thyroid medication ( old formula)and avoided surgery. Scan before and after showed they had disappeared. I now take T4/T3 synthetic combined treatment. Even now if I do not have enough T3 ( Cytomel) I can feel the thyroid swelling again. My TSH stays at 0.01 for safety.

[marwinbruck]

  On 3/31/2010 at 2:44 AM, mygfworld said:

I've been having thyroid problems for over a year now. It looks like the dr will be removing my throid. Cancer is suspected. I'm waiting for the official test results. I already have Celiac and Hashimotos. It seems other autoimmune diseases have started up too. Feeling like I'm falling apart. So depressing.

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.

How bad is the surgery?

What is the most helpful thing for recovery?

How do you cope?

Thanks!

I had thyroid surgery this past December after two years of telling my primary I did not feel well. They ignore you when you are over weight and over 50!!! I was lucky, they only had too remove half of my thyroid and it was not cancer. The worst part was the dressing they put over the incision. As I have been told, it will take months to get the medication correct. If you don't feel well after taking the medication for 3 months. Go back to the doctor and demand they test your levels again. When I went back to my endo and requested to be retested - he looked at me like I was crazy. I had my new primary do a blood test and my numbers are still low and my liver enzymes are way up. Listen to your body.