The THYROID Thread

[luvmarypoppins]

squeegee - thinking of you and hoping the diet is going as well as can be. I actually liked it at first but in the end I was getting weary. Hang in there.

macraven - is your surgery soon? Wishing you all the best. I know you have been through so much too lately.

singing mom - know you are getting ready for your dd graduation.

I am dising when I should actually be writing minutes from my meeting yesterday and then I need to start some trip planning. My dh hates the heat and then I see its Gay Days, SWW etc. So extra crowds in the parks are not going to make him happy. I know we were actually there once before with the ds many years ago during this time (we usually do 3rd week May). I am going to look at easy wdw for a touring plan reccomm. We have seen it all so its ok but dealing with alot of crowds in the heat is ugh!! Bad enough we deal with pop warner and cheerleaders when its not even hot too.

I havent even made any adrs save 2 and 1 I cancelled because we had to change the date of the trip. So I need to pin dh down for sure asap. I think we will go the end of May into the lst week end of June so far.

Next week is crazy my bday, our anniv and ds3 graduating from nursing school. (the next degree). I see alot of celebrating in our future!

Everyone check in when you can.

 

[macraven]

just a quick drive by to say i had the surgery tuesday morning and home now.
i know many of you have gone through surgeries so you know how i feel.

lousy, achy, miserable and yucky.

my incision was only 5 inches long so i'm glad it wasn't longer.

i'm only out of bed for a short time today but will return later this week.

hope all are doing fine.

hope LMP has a great birthday next week!
and wonderful anniversary and fantastic time at son's graduation.

May is your busy month!

 

[squeegee]

Glad your surgery went well, and I hope recovery is quick and uneventful.

I'm struggling more with the diet this time than I remember last time, but then I may have just blocked the memories from the last time around. Lol.

I'm starving constantly. Constantly. Pain in the stomach, shaky starving. It doesn't seem to matter how much I eat, food only brings the pain down to a tolerable level. On top of that, I feel too groggy to get up to get food. Lol. I had 4 carrots for breakfast because I could grab them straight from the fridge. Lol.

My aunt has come to stay with me to help out, but she had some appointments of her own today and has been gone all day. She'll be back in about an hour. DH just got home an hour ago, too, right before I started to lose my mind. Lol.

I'm thankful it's only two weeks. Almost halfway there. I can do anything for two weeks, right?

 

[macraven]

squeegee, i wish i lived closer to you and in better shape where i could help you.

i know the one time people need lots of help is when they go through something like you are going through.

i know it will be difficult, but you will get through this.
it will all be a past memory 2 weeks from now.

but for the meantime, it is painful for you..

 

[squeegee]

squeegee, i wish i lived closer to you and in better shape where i could help you.

i know the one time people need lots of help is when they go through something like you are going through.

i know it will be difficult, but you will get through this.
it will all be a past memory 2 weeks from now.

but for the meantime, it is painful for you..

Thank you for letting me gripe. I try not to make it a habit. I've felt worse than usual today, but I will get through it. And then when I'm done (but hopefully before I lose my sense of taste), I'm having chicken in butter-lemon-caper sauce over vermicelli, half a cheesecake, and two giant glasses of whole milk!!

 

[macraven]

Thank you for letting me gripe. I try not to make it a habit. I've felt worse than usual today, but I will get through it. And then when I'm done (but hopefully before I lose my sense of taste), I'm having chicken in butter-lemon-caper sauce over vermicelli, half a cheesecake, and two giant glasses of whole milk!!

your wait will be well worth it !!!


me, i would hold out for ice cream and carrot cake.......

the chicken dinner would come in last on my list.....hahaha

 

[macraven]

i have a question for all of you that have gone through neck surgeries.
if you can, please let me know about the swelling you went through and how you handled it.

my incision is 5 inches long. (could be a bit longer haven't mearsured it since he told me 5")

from even to the ear lobe to the middle of the neck/throat.
i stopped the ice packs after 48 hours per doc request.
but the swelling is growing.
i don't have a chin, lol......
i'm swollen out all the way and have to move my shoulders/body in order to see something next to me.
neck too big and can't turn the head now.

did any of you get huge swelling right after surgery?
besides pain meds, and diuretic, what did you do for comfort?
swelling increased in the incision site once the drainage tubes were removed on wednesday.

how long did it take your swelling to start to decrease?

any info is appreciated.
i go for a post check due to swelling on tuesday.
doc said that swelling can be an issue with this surgery.
i'm becoming impatient.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

squeegee - you can gripe to us anytime you want. I feel so bad you are having all those symptoms. Being hungry is enough but the pain and shaking. I never had those but I did get a thyrogen headache and nausea for 2 days.
Maybe you can keep things in the refrig for grab and go or quick heat up. Like put some peanut butter in the refrig and dip the carrots in them, more protein???
I also made some steel cut oatmeal in the crockpot. I actually found the recipe on the budget board here. I think it lasted a few days but did make it with apples and cinnamon. But since I hate oatmeal so much, just the cooked kind. I had to add stuff like walnuts,pecans,raisin and maple syrup just to get it down.
I actually only ate bananas for breakfast. I am glad I did not go to MSK cancer center in NYC. They absolutely forbid bananas on the lid. Gheesh!

Maybe keep the popcorn ready in a baggie too? Hang in there! You can do this!!!

Just wondering if they are dead set when you are having the rai, like what if your tsh is already at the right number before they say you are getting it. I think that did happen to someone who posted here before. I cant remember who. think they asked for a blood test ahead of time since they felt horrible etc. from the withdrawl.

Maybe you can speak to someone on call at the dr. and see what advice they can give you. Hugs.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

macraven - I am so sorry you are going through all this post op stuff too.

I did have alot of swelling but I had the drain kept in for like almost 3 weeks I think.

I would call your dr. and speak to someone and see what they say today or else its going to be a long, long week end for you and you should not be suffering like that. It would not be beyond me to send them a picture of the swelling. (The nurse actually put me on the phone with the surgeon rre surgery so he could listen to me breathe once, lol. He could tell the tumor was crushing my trachea). This is your health and body we are talking about here!!

So no ice or heat now?????

For comfort it was like 4 pillows in bed and then staying upright in the recliner. Also trying not to move my neck much since that just made it worse.

How about swallowing? Are softer foods better?

Sending you hugs and hope your symptoms are manageable and you can get some relief. Hang in there!

 

[squeegee]

macraven - I am so sorry you are going through all this post op stuff too.

I did have alot of swelling but I had the drain kept in for like almost 3 weeks I think.

I would call your dr. and speak to someone and see what they say today or else its going to be a long, long week end for you and you should not be suffering like that. It would not be beyond me to send them a picture of the swelling. (The nurse actually put me on the phone with the surgeon rre surgery so he could listen to me breathe once, lol. He could tell the tumor was crushing my trachea). This is your health and body we are talking about here!!

So no ice or heat now?????

For comfort it was like 4 pillows in bed and then staying upright in the recliner. Also trying not to move my neck much since that just made it worse.

How about swallowing? Are softer foods better?

Sending you hugs and hope your symptoms are manageable and you can get some relief. Hang in there!

I did not have a whole lot of swelling in my neck, but more around the collarbone area. Turning was difficult, but they didn't recommend ice or heat until several weeks had passed. They did suggest gentle massage, to encourage fluid drainage and prevent scar tissue adhesion. They also said I could wrap with slight compression. Never did, though. Don't let it get too far out of hand. Better safe than sorry so soon after a surgery, especially.

 

[squeegee]

squeegee - you can gripe to us anytime you want. I feel so bad you are having all those symptoms. Being hungry is enough but the pain and shaking. I never had those but I did get a thyrogen headache and nausea for 2 days.
Maybe you can keep things in the refrig for grab and go or quick heat up. Like put some peanut butter in the refrig and dip the carrots in them, more protein???
I also made some steel cut oatmeal in the crockpot. I actually found the recipe on the budget board here. I think it lasted a few days but did make it with apples and cinnamon. But since I hate oatmeal so much, just the cooked kind. I had to add stuff like walnuts,pecans,raisin and maple syrup just to get it down.
I actually only ate bananas for breakfast. I am glad I did not go to MSK cancer center in NYC. They absolutely forbid bananas on the lid. Gheesh!

Maybe keep the popcorn ready in a baggie too? Hang in there! You can do this!!!

Just wondering if they are dead set when you are having the rai, like what if your tsh is already at the right number before they say you are getting it. I think that did happen to someone who posted here before. I cant remember who. think they asked for a blood test ahead of time since they felt horrible etc. from the withdrawl.

Maybe you can speak to someone on call at the dr. and see what advice they can give you. Hugs.

It seems like my stomach is growling no matter how much I eat. My aunt is here to fix things for me, and all I want is food, food, food. I know it will pass, but I'm going to be a zeppelin by the time it's done. LOL. At least it's healthier foods, veggies, oats, fruits - she makes me spinach salads with homemade balsamic Vinaigrette and fresh mushrooms every day.

They've got me scheduled for bloodwork to check the TSH next Wednesday, and that will have results overnight. Then it'll take a day to get insurance preauth, then it's weekend, so Monday it'll be. I'm sure my numbers are up there. They want something in the 30's IIRC, and last time I was in the 130's by the end.

 

[macraven]

It seems like my stomach is growling no matter how much I eat. My aunt is here to fix things for me, and all I want is food, food, food. I know it will pass, but I'm going to be a zeppelin by the time it's done. LOL. At least it's healthier foods, veggies, oats, fruits - she makes me spinach salads with homemade balsamic Vinaigrette and fresh mushrooms every day.

They've got me scheduled for bloodwork to check the TSH next Wednesday, and that will have results overnight. Then it'll take a day to get insurance preauth, then it's weekend, so Monday it'll be. I'm sure my numbers are up there. They want something in the 30's IIRC, and last time I was in the 130's by the end.

happy to read your aunt is there with you now and can take care of your food needs.
nothing worse than having to do your food yourself

hope your new tsh labs have good numbers!

keep us posted on how your are doing.

 

[macraven]

macraven - I am so sorry you are going through all this post op stuff too.

I did have alot of swelling but I had the drain kept in for like almost 3 weeks I think.

I would call your dr. and speak to someone and see what they say today or else its going to be a long, long week end for you and you should not be suffering like that. It would not be beyond me to send them a picture of the swelling. (The nurse actually put me on the phone with the surgeon rre surgery so he could listen to me breathe once, lol. He could tell the tumor was crushing my trachea). This is your health and body we are talking about here!!

So no ice or heat now?????

For comfort it was like 4 pillows in bed and then staying upright in the recliner. Also trying not to move my neck much since that just made it worse.

How about swallowing? Are softer foods better?

Sending you hugs and hope your symptoms are manageable and you can get some relief. Hang in there!

thank you LMP.
i have to sleep sitting in the recliner with pillows, can't lay flat.
if i have to use the bed, i have 5 pillows so i'm propped up.
did talk with the surgeon yesterday and he said he expects excessive swelling.
said besides the gland and all the ducts, he removed tissue and something else.
the something else went over my head.......
told me to be on pedialyte sp, liquids, pudding, yogurt etc anything i can swallow but to avoid chewing for 2 more days.

since only 30 ml drained out in a 24 hour period, he said to have the drain removed.
a nurse came to my house to take care of that and then gauged the hole.

surgeon said i need bed rest and no more movement for today.
he is on call for me this weekend so if the swelling doesn't slow down, i will be making a trip to see him.
he did tell me to be in his office tuesday for a look see due to swelling.
i didn't think of sending him a pic of the neck.
that is a brilliant idea you stated.
thank you again for your thoughts.

i know when the swelling decreases i will feel better.
but, i'm inpatient and want to feel better now......

 

[Christine]

Good morning all! Squeegee and macraven--my heart goes out to you. Here's hoping for things to be on the UPSWING starting next week.

LMP - Happy Birthday and, as usual, I am green with envy over your trips! I haven't been to WDW since 2012 and I am dying to go back but it seems that it's not happening soon. Believe it or not, my DOG is stopping me now. She's 15 years old and, while her arthritis is starting to really kick her butt, she's pretty healthy. But, there's no way I can leave her and I don't really have anyone to leave her with. She's very anxious when I'm out of her sight and I think she'd be a real burden to stay with someone else. My son is home from college now. He's a great kid but he brings a lot of stress for me. He got sick during finals, came home and tested positive for mono. Then, on Wednesday evening, he apparently had an abscess on his tonsil, which burst. Never seen anything like it. He's now feeling 100% better, thank God. But despite studying his butt of this semester, his grades were lackluster so he's made the decision to drop out of his engineering major. That's a lot of credits he is wasting but there's not point in slogging through this. It's kind of depressing and everything is in a state of flux right now. I'm just too old for all this. When I think about all the kid drama I sailed through when I the kids were younger, I realize how *weak* I am now. I just don't handle this well anymore. I think I got spoiled during my partial empty-nest phase. Oh well, enough about me. Bottom line is, for this thread, my thyroid levels seems to be good and on an even keel after 2 years of trouble. I am back up to my higher dose and tolerating it well. Over the last few weeks, I have a few episodes of heart palps so I would guess that my TSH is on the much lower end of things.

Everyone, have a good weekend and to those here who are going through some rough times right now, it WILL pass and when it does you will really appreciate feeling good!

 

[macraven]

LMP

 

[mommasita]

Thank you luv,.. I finally went for my new bloodwork this week.. I see the Dr again the last week of this month.... I never did see the Immunoligist.. I told them I see enough Dr's. They said they understood, and if I feel I want to see them to call back... I am just overwhelmed with specialists right now...Happy Birthday!

macraven, I hope you heal quickly.. gently hugs.

Hi to everyone else..

 

[1Grumpy9]

I am still waiting to start the new Natpara hormone. I have the approvals from the insurance and I am waiting for the medicine to be delivered and my crash course on mixing and injecting...LOL!! I would like to have this done before next week as I am getting ready to start going on vacations. I leave for Nashville on June 9th. I don't want to be 12 hrs from home and just starting a new medicine a week before I leave. This way I am close to home if something would happen at first.

 

[SingingMom]

Happy Birthday LMP!

DD21 graduated from college Saturday! So proud of her! Now we have to plan for our ABD Central Europe trip next month, then get her ready to start her WDW internship in August!

 

[squeegee]

Macraven - how goes it with the swelling?

Just got my lab work from yesterday. TSH is 31, so we're good to go. It really feels like I ought to be over 100 or so by now, though. LOL.

And, my doctor apparently just realized Monday is a holiday, and he and his staff are off.

So, it's been moved to Tuesday admission/Thursday release, which is fine, too, just have to shift around my transportation.

Progress, progress.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

1Grumpy9 - I hope you will be able to get the med soon. I agree with you. I wouldnt want to start it right before a vacation either. I went to Nashville once but it was ages ago. I hope you have a wonderful trip.

singing mom - I hope you have a wonderful abd trip. What countries are you visiting?

squeegee - I am sorry you have to wait another day. But glad your tsh is getting up there. That is always good for sure. Hang in there! You can do this!! The end is in sight!!

macraven - I hope the swelling is manageable and that you are healing

Christine - I am so glad that they found your mil. That must have been scary. My poor aunt is dealing with this with my uncle. But all he does is ask the same things over constantly and he just stays in the house and doesnt know where the rooms are. I dont know how she manages to keep an eye on him either since she is legally blind. I think that the alarms you mentioned would be good.

Well I am almost done planning the trip. Dh has lost his annual pass but I know its linked to the magic band I have from our Dec. trip so I hope that works. If not then off to the tech in the parks etc.

This is the shortest I have planned a trip ever. We will stay at the Swan for 5 nights for free, gotta love dh ff miles except for the resort fee and then talked dh into the beach club garden view room for 2 nights with an ap discount.

I havent done all the dining or the fp stuff but most of it. I just dont want the fp stuff to be messed up if dh has to get a new ap etc.

We are eating at Trattoria Al Forno, Cape May Buffet because dh must have a crab coma, Be Our Guest for lunch, Rose and Crown and Liberty Tree Tavern. The rest I am still working on. With 2 weeks I have to take what is there. We might do Coral Reef, Shulas and Citricos.

And added to the crazy, dh just informed me that he is flying back from Calif. the day before we leave and then the day after we get back he is going to Beijing and Shanghai. So its gonna be the laundry dash too.

Tomm. at ds3 graduation he just informed me that the nursing dean of the college said to call ds up and get him to do a speech and present an award to some professor,???? The dean said I saw this boy at the comm. college graduation and he will be good (Ds filmed a video interview about nursing. Its just so strange as ds I dont think ever met this professor. He did all his classes on line. So funny!!!