Thyroid Cancer Support Group
Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. There are four forms: papillary, follicular, medullary and anaplastic. If you or anyone you know and love is affected by thyroid cancer, join this community to lean on the support and experiences of others.
I am a 58 yr old female.. They said they don't know if I have cancer until they do the surgery. I live alone and have knowone to help me after surgery and you all make it sound like I won't be able to do anything. I just thought you had thyroid removed and take your meds and all will be fine, but from what I hear that is not the case.. Do I need to get someone to help me after surgery? I had gastric bypass surgery over a year ago and lost 80 lbs and hearing I will gain weight now upsets me.. I hate to sound like a wuss. I just want to be prepared.. I help homeless people get off the street and I need to get back to helping them as soon as possible.
If they find that you do not have cancer then it may be as easy as getting your meds adjusted. If you do have cancer then things get more complicated. Depending on how far the cancer has spread they may want to do a 2nd surgery or they may want to do (RAI) Radioactive Iodine treatment. With the cancer you also will need to have follow up for the rest of your life. Having cancer changes your life but it does not mean that your life is over.
As for the weight gain. The times it has been a problem for me was with the RAI because they took me off my meds for over a month and it took 6 months to recover from that I have had it done twice each time I have gained over 40lbs while I was Hypo (off my meds) the 1st time I was able to lose it again and 60lbs more, the 2nd time I am still working on it but I have had other problems as well.
I guess the big secret is to learn to go with the flow, in many ways my life has been changed by this cancer, I have the scar from my TT and the scar from my Neck dissection (when the cancer came back) running from my right ear to the thyroid bed, The mussels of my neck have been scarred by all the radiation I have taken, I get regular Cat scans, MRIs, PET Scans, Blood work, see Doctors I am a widower and it certainly make it more difficult trying to date someone when they find you have cancer and the waiting to see if the last treatment worked can be a killer. But this is my life and I still do my best to live it.
I hope you get good news when they do the operation.
Odell.
None of us can tell you not to be scared. What you are going through is very scary and most likely we were all just as scared! I would encourage you to talk, talk, talk to anyone and everyone to help you deal and learn from what you are going through.
Each of us experience things differently and while some sail through this others have more difficulty. I was fortunate and mine went very well. Yes, there was some discomfort from healing but nothing intolerable. By the end of the first week, the surgery portion was almost a faint memory. Your body most likely will react in unique ways and you may not recognize yourself for a while. That is why I say talk to anyone and everyone. Especially your doctors. Don't be afraid to tell them your fears, weird feelings etc. They are experts and professionals and are there to help you through all of it.
You can do this! I joined this group to be able to share and read experiences of others. I got to a point where I needed communicaiton with others going through what I have. You'll learn to appreciate everyone on here because we all have been where you are now. So you are not alone...
Best of luck and keep us posted ~
Try not to worry so much. My FNA was inconclusive and they had to go in and do surgery. Recovering from the surgery was not bad at all. I never needed pain pills. My voice was fine and I could eat solid food the next day. I did run a very low fever for a few hours after coming home. It would be good if you had someone who could check on you for a few days.
I actually have lost weight since the surgery and I am trying to gain it back. My doc. says I am too skinny.
Keep us posted and ask any questions you want, OK?
Joseph
Truely is easy to tell you not to worry but I was scared to death! I am 1 week post op now. I had my total Thyroid removed last Thursday. I had biopsy's done on 3 large nodules and came back good but had sooooo many, like tons, that they could not biopsy they all. So we decided best to come out. Am waiting now on the results on the biopsy of the whole Thyroid now. But the surgery is very fresh to me.
I went in and was totally scared. I don't do well with the anistisia at all....makes me very sick. Was told it would take about 2 hours in surgery and 2 hours in recovery....only too 1 1/2 in surgery but 3 1/2 in recovery.....woke up sick...yuk! Took me to my room and I refused any pain med as they also make me sick and would rather hurt than be sick. The pain was definitly tolerable and did develope a fever that night but took some tylonal and that was fine. Blood work was good so they let me go home the next day. Slept alot the next 2 days and have been fine since. Did not lose my voice, thank god...what would I do...lol....was hard to swallow first 2 days but am doing very good now.
Now I just wait for biopsy to come back to see which road I take next.
People tell me I am a wimp so if I can take the pain and do pretty good......anyone can. It is ok to be scared....we all are...ask a friend to stop in to check on you a few times. And make sure to call Dr if you have any medical worries at all.
I will pray for you, I will pray for strength and fast recovery.
Good Luck
Marsha
Hi to all the friends I found on here awhile ago!