Jem123,
My surgery was in October this year. The first couple of days I ran a low grade temp for which they couldn't find a cause. I had a chest x-ray which was OK. My calcium levels dropped right after surgery as well, but they came back up after a few days. I guess that's pretty normal. It also took me awhile, maybe a month to be able to walk very far or up stairs without being out of breath. But that has greatly improved. Now I have occasional swelling and pressure around my windpipe which is also apparently common for the first couple of months or so, Otherwise I am much better and back to working full-time.

Hang in there, our bodies all handle this stuff differently - give yourself time to heal.

Tamara

Jem123, I think what you are experiencing is completely normal for the type of surgery you have had. Just relax and try to think ahead of how it will be... you can expect normal like before you had the thyroid trouble, just without your thyroid. I am just over a year (surg. 9-09) and once in a while I feel the breathlessness still (like once every month or two). What you have had done is really major (as opposed to what they will lead you to believe), your body can adjust, it will adjust, but you need time. I agree with tutorsmith, I remember being breathless for quite some time following my surgery. Keep a journal or calendar, and track what you feel and you will be able to see face to face how you heal so much every day. I thought of how I felt 100% better each day that passed. It was reassuring.

As far as the low calcium, me too. The nurse at the hospital said that you can feel low calcium by tingling in you lips, tip of nose, and tip of tongue. She told me if I felt that feeling (which I did) take some calcium or eat something with calcium. It will eventually level out.

Bless you as you try to understand the new normal. Hang in there, eventually, it won't seem so strange. k

I had surgery on Dec 20th. I am also very tired and short of breath. I do not know if it is due to the actual surgery or if this is the absence of a thyroid.

This is my story to a tee same thing here my surgery was in aug of 2006 and I felt the same way almost thought I was dying lol my tounge swelled up cause of low calcium and stuff wow long story lol but it is completely normal you just had tramatic surgery in your neck so it will feel like that for awhile just do some breathing exercises and it will make it be better faster. If you need any advice or have any questions feel free to message me I been through the same I have the same exact cancer and it has been hell so I know exactly what your going thru I hope all is well for you!