hi! I am an R.N.(but have only OB experience) and had a total thyroidectomy in '98. I had two surgeries bc I had a neg. biopsy on my right nodule in my right side of the thyroid; however it came back pos. for a small papillary cancer so I was scheduled for the 2nd surgery the next day(the reason being they try to save if possible some thyroid tissue-the thyroid is one big organ which goes to both sides). I did not have pain postop, but did experience the calcium low which is common from having the parathyroids "paralysed" basically from the surgery itself on the thyroid...my symptoms were tingling fingers and toes, and tongue otherwise didn't feel anything. I received IV calcium, which didn't bother me at all either...I've had several different surgeries and found this one the easiest to recover from, if that helps you...have you checked out the thyroid sites such as: thyroid.org,thyca.org(specifically about thyroid cancer), allthyroid.org,thyroidtalk.com,thyroidabout.com? Better to educate yourself so you are ready! God bless and I;ll be praying for ya as you face this...your friend (been there I understand!)

Hi, pepy!

I just had a total thyroidectomy Sept. 25. My experience may not be the norm, but I got along very, very, well.

My surgery took about 3 hours. No real pain after, just dry mouth from anesthesia.

My incision (which looks pretty good already) is about 3 inches long. I had a couple of lymph nodes removed, but the para was okay.

You will have a drain (I had two) coming out from underneath your incision. Sounds scary, but really just uncomfortable.

I had my surgery on a Tuesday, home on Wed., doing laundry (happily) on Thurs. I had two incredibly good days since. More energy than I've had in years. But overall, I'm cold and tired. But if you expect it, you can plan out your day so you can get the most important things done. Don't stress-just know that what you are feeling is normal, and it' not going to last forever. It's all part of the healing process.

I have not been on my Synthroid since the surgery in prep for the RAI. and that is as far as my recovery has come.

I wish you all the best. Write any time. Let me know how things go for you. My prayers are with you!

My thyroidectomy was last December. My scar is about 5 inches long, and I'm lucky because he had to do a lot of work throught that little hole. I scar badly, and when I told my ENT about that, he made a special closure so it whould look better. If there is a para problem, they will look at it then. Generally they try to keep your parathyroids in tact, but i don't know what they suspect of yours. They will check all local lymph nodes to make sure they look and feel good, and may remove a few. I did not feel well for a while and was on pain meds for a couple weeks - I didn't really expect that. I did not have a problem talking or eating as I kind of thought I might. I am on Synthroid every day for the rest of my life, and I feel much better if I take it as suggested (first thing in the AM, lots of water, don't eat for 30 minutes. If I don't drink an entire bottle of water, I gag and throw up sometimes) I recovered from the surgery pretty quickly, but then I was hypothyroid for a long time to get ready for RAI. My old Endo made me stay hypothyroid for much longer than most people I talked to and for a lot longer than my new doc would have. He wanted me to wait until my TSH was 85, but my new doc only says 35. I was hypo for over 8 weeks and could barely walk or see by the time I was done. When I was at 35 the second time, I was so much better, just tired and achy. By the way, if you go on walks when you are hypo, even if you don't really feel good enough to, you feel better longer.

thank you grey, suzi, mama and everyone else that has sent me messages explaining their experiences. i will take everything into account that you all have told me and will keep you informed. incidentally, i now have a definite date for surgery. it is booked for sat 17 nov. they will be doing the breast at the same time and i know it sounds crazy, but i'm actually looking forward to having it all done, cos i can then move onto the next stage, the tx. the info you guys have shared is really appreciated and i thank you from the bottom of my heart. i will let you know how i get on. in the meantime, i hope you all have a great week:)

Hi,

I just thought of something else that might be helpful to you. I was told about a book that gives alot of good info in a way laypeople can understand. The name is 'THE THYROID SOURCEBOOK' by M. Sara Rosenthall. I have found it invaluable and refer to it often. You might think about checking it out.

Suzzieq

thanks suzi. you have been a real friend:)i have taken a note of the book and will look for it in the shops.

I just wanted to say good luck! I can't believe you will have two surgeries at once! I'm a little behind maybe and I'll go read your profile, but are the tumors in your breast related to the tumors in you thyroid? I only ask because I had some metastisis to many lymph nodes, including in my chest cavity, and I know we have lymph nodes in our breasts.

thanks for the good luck grey:) sounds like you've been having a hard time of it yourself. yeah two surgeries at once, but i'm pleased cos i will only have one recovery and i can then move onto the treatment side of things from there. its a straight road all the way then..... i'm a pretty positive person and look on this op as a good thing only. i'd rather get whatever they have to do done asap and move onto the next stage. dont know if breast and thyroid are connected for sure. will have to wait and see when they send the tissue taken during surgery to the lab.
thank you everyone for your information, advice, words of encouragement and good wishes. i feel much better about the whole thing after reading what you all have to say.
hope you all have a good weekend and a wonderful week to follow:)

Hi. I just had my surgery on Fri., 10/26 and came home yesterday. The wound up having to take some lymph nodes and some of the parathyroid too, so looks like I'll be headed for a RAI treatment soon enough. I slept pretty much all day and night when I got home yesterday and feel a little more rested today. I'm going to take advantage of family and friends who offer to help. I'm wishing you all the best and I'm sure you'll do well.

hi ceedee
glad your op is out of the way and you are on the way to recovery. hope each day gets better for you:) sorry you gotta have RAI but i guess if its needed, its needed and all helps towards a full recovery. i wish you all the best in your recovery and thank you for your kind words:)
AND yeah, let the family pamper you. just sit back and concentrate on you cos this is your time. take care ok and let us know how you are doing:)

Hi pepy- Please read my journal for detailed info about the surgery, etc. I haven't been online very much, haven't posted here in a long time. Best of luck to you, you will get thru this :-) cherrycheesecake

thank you cherry:) your journal is very informative. now i'm really not looking forward to it. lol..... one of my tumours is big too and they think i have parathyroid probs. wont know exactly what they're gonna do other than a complete thyroidectomy til the incission is made and i guess they'll tell me afterwards. i am reassured with the survival stats and consoled by the fact that i will be on my way to recovery this time two weeks from now. i have a v positive attitude towards all thats going on and i think thats important. hope you continue to do well cherry:)
you have all been very supportive and i thank you for that. dont know what i would have done without the encouragement and advice from all my DS friends.
have a good weekend and a wonderful week to follow:)

Eight years ago the doctor told me I had a golf ball size tumor in my throat. I had a chronic cough with blood. I told the doctor he was ugly when he would not do a biopsy. He told me i was fired and was happy when my new doctor ordered a biopsy which came back Papillory carcenoma stage 2. The surgan told me i had a golf ball size tumor and I told him he was ugly in which he replied that he was the one who was going to cut my throat. He told me I was going to need radiation after the surgery and I said I knew a good radiation guy. Clark Kent. I also drew a dotted line across my throat just to be safe. The surgery went well, very little pain and very little scar. I was fatigued until they got my Synthroid levls right. But walking around without thyroid hormone I was slurrying my speech. A pastor asked me if had been drinking. And I said, "Have you"? So hang in there, keep your sense of humor, pray, meditate and eat lots of ice cream. I will be praying for you special delivery. God bless. Been there. David

thank you david for all the info and advice. i'b beginning to question if the hospital knows what they're doing lol. i went to my pre-assessment appt yesterday and guess what????? they couldnt assess me cos they couldnt find my notes! now thats a surprise. hope they dont take my tonsils out again instead of my thyroid. lol
anyway david, it seems you need to concentrate on getting you better right now. stay positive my friend and keep smiling.
thank you to all on DS just for being the ppl you are and being so supportive and helpful
have a good weekend all.
luv ya

pepy- How DARE you imply that trained medical professionals would remove your tonsils again instead of your thyroid tumor?!? Your tonsils are perfectly safe....but you can kiss your nipples goodbye!!! LOL, hope you appreciate my warped sense of humor. Not making fun of you or your situation at all, just tired of all the dufus doctors and hospital/medical mistakes I keep hearing about. BUT.....I've also been treated by many good docs/nurses/etc. on my journey. The best thing is to have someone in the hospital with you if possible to help you advocate for yourself. hugs, cherry