I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer today.

[mrsklamc]

I really do wish I knew if I were going to lose/gain weight. I would go shopping for larger or smaller work clothes so I didn't have to worry about it later.

 

[Christine]

I really do wish I knew if I were going to lose/gain weight. I would go shopping for larger or smaller work clothes so I didn't have to worry about it later.

Back in the dark ages (14 years ago when I was diagnosed), they did not have Thyrogen for scanning purposes. So before each scan and/or treatment, you were removed from your medication for approximately 6 weeks. During those times, I would put on up to 10 lbs, but it quickly came off when I resumed my medication.

As for the rest of the time, the use of Synthroid has not had an effect on my weight at all. There were times when I got too hyper and I *might* have dropped 3 lbs at most. My weight is very stable.

 

[Laurajean1014]

My prayers are with you OP.... stay strong and think positively..... )

 

[mrsklamc]

Thank you so much everyone, you have been more helpful than you may know.

I was all used to the idea of the thyroidectomy, and then when I went in on Wednesday she said she will also be removing all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Did anyone here have that done? She said it will be 2 weeks before I can drive because I won't be able to turn my head.

If you are one who prays my surgery is the 22nd and I would be very appreciative of any prayers!

 

[S. C.]

Thank you so much everyone, you have been more helpful than you may know.

I was all used to the idea of the thyroidectomy, and then when I went in on Wednesday she said she will also be removing all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Did anyone here have that done? She said it will be 2 weeks before I can drive because I won't be able to turn my head.

If you are one who prays my surgery is the 22nd and I would be very appreciative of any prayers!

Prayers said

 

[Christine]

Thank you so much everyone, you have been more helpful than you may know.

I was all used to the idea of the thyroidectomy, and then when I went in on Wednesday she said she will also be removing all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Did anyone here have that done? She said it will be 2 weeks before I can drive because I won't be able to turn my head.

If you are one who prays my surgery is the 22nd and I would be very appreciative of any prayers!

I did not have that done but back in 1995 that was not standard procedure then. It pretty much is now and it sounds like you have a good surgeon. They want to get an idea if it has spread and they need to remove the surrounding nodes to see that.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thank you so much everyone, you have been more helpful than you may know.

I was all used to the idea of the thyroidectomy, and then when I went in on Wednesday she said she will also be removing all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Did anyone here have that done? She said it will be 2 weeks before I can drive because I won't be able to turn my head.

If you are one who prays my surgery is the 22nd and I would be very appreciative of any prayers!

I thought I wrote something to you before but guess it didnt post, sorry. I dont know if you have followed any of my stuff on the cb but you could do a search I guess. I am not the normal thyroid cancer pt. that is for sure. My tumor was 12.5, huge they say, its papilary, but unfortunately has the rare and agressive columnar cell variant.my original surgery was 4 hours for the thyroid removal and 2 hours for the neck dissection. They did the neck dissection because he could see, the ENT surgeon, that at least one node was positive (cancerous). He took out 47 and 7 tested positive for cancer. They said this is a good count. I still have problems turning my neck. Also he had to cut some nerve permanently so all this surgery resulted in a frozen left shoulder. I was working on that in pt, but have had another surgery, actually 4 more lately, (none of this is related to cancer, PTL!!!). I also have some vocal cord damage which is the least of my worries right now, this wont happen usually. My iodine treatment was 200, the max I think. I decided to stay in the hospital overnight. My dh deals with radiation and said it was better. The rad. onc. says most people dont do that however. The LID I was on was stricter than the thyca one. For the diet I lost 20 lbs. in 2 weeks. I really didnt eat much. I felt like I was turning into a bunny, too much lettuce, or a monkey, because I usually only ate a banana for breakfast, (I hate oatmeal!!). The lst thyrogen shot was ok. The 2nd one was horrible and gave me a terrible headache and nausea, so I just didnt eat then etc. All my blood tests, nuclear scan ultrasound etc. have all come back as undetecatable and cancer free right now. I only needed 1 med. adjustment. My original synthroid was 150 postop but now its always 200. I only take the brand name, If you do generic make sure your pharmacy can guarantee you will only get it supplied from one supplier etc. My stage is stage 4 due to age and spread. I thank God for everyday he gives me. A trip is great to plan. We are going dec. 9-15.Best of luck, ask any questions you want and will keep you in my prayers.

 

[mrsklamc]

I thought I wrote something to you before but guess it didnt post, sorry. I dont know if you have followed any of my stuff on the cb but you could do a search I guess. I am not the normal thyroid cancer pt. that is for sure. My tumor was 12.5, huge they say, its papilary, but unfortunately has the rare and agressive columnar cell variant.my original surgery was 4 hours for the thyroid removal and 2 hours for the neck dissection. They did the neck dissection because he could see, the ENT surgeon, that at least one node was positive (cancerous). He took out 47 and 7 tested positive for cancer. They said this is a good count. I still have problems turning my neck. Also he had to cut some nerve permanently so all this surgery resulted in a frozen left shoulder. I was working on that in pt, but have had another surgery, actually 4 more lately, (none of this is related to cancer, PTL!!!). I also have some vocal cord damage which is the least of my worries right now, this wont happen usually. My iodine treatment was 200, the max I think. I decided to stay in the hospital overnight. My dh deals with radiation and said it was better. The rad. onc. says most people dont do that however. The LID I was on was stricter than the thyca one. For the diet I lost 20 lbs. in 2 weeks. I really didnt eat much. I felt like I was turning into a bunny, too much lettuce, or a monkey, because I usually only ate a banana for breakfast, (I hate oatmeal!!). The lst thyrogen shot was ok. The 2nd one was horrible and gave me a terrible headache and nausea, so I just didnt eat then etc. All my blood tests, nuclear scan ultrasound etc. have all come back as undetecatable and cancer free right now. I only needed 1 med. adjustment. My original synthroid was 150 postop but now its always 200. I only take the brand name, If you do generic make sure your pharmacy can guarantee you will only get it supplied from one supplier etc. My stage is stage 4 due to age and spread. I thank God for everyday he gives me. A trip is great to plan. We are going dec. 9-15.Best of luck, ask any questions you want and will keep you in my prayers.

wow. 12.5 centimeters?!?!

They didn't say anything about cutting a nerve...they did say there would be some kind of alarm in my voicebox to help keep from damaging it, did you have that?

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Yes I had that. I really am not blaming either of the 2 surgeons or surgeries. They did what they had to do to save my life and cut the cancer out etc. I am scheduled to go for a nerve test on the vocal chords. They said they give you 18 months to get your voice back. They want to maybe inject some foam in my neck to make the voice better. I am not even thinking about that till after new year. Also if you do drive, I would think about getting one of those fluffy things for the seat belt. That way it could help your neck. I keep telling my ds to pick one up for me. Did they tell you you will have a drain in your neck when you wake up. I had 2. I did notice it was better to get a shot of lidocaine before they pull the drain out. The staples out were not bad at all. I was glued inside, then stitched and then stapled outside. I think my nerve got cut because my cancer was just so extensive. I just cant feel up to my L ear, really not a big deal. I do know its harder to sleep on my side now. I need alot of pillow adjustments to get a comfortable position. Also I was scoped again in the hosp. the lst time to check on the vocal cord damage. One was fine, the other is bruised etc. I do think the shoulder stuff might be more common with a neck dissection because my surgeon told me another pt. was having the same frozen shoulder I was etc. Ideally you should get pt right away but I had so many complications etc. The worst also was anyone touching my shoulder. It was so sensitive and they are desensitizing the nerves. My dh is suppose to massage it etc. Its not an easy journey, but I have alot of faith and that is what helps me the most, my family, my church family and the great dis breast cancer sistas too! Its better to ask anything to anyone pre surgery so you can also ask your dr,. etc.

 

[mrsklamc]

They did tell me I would have 2 drains, but they did not mention staples. They said they would draw blood before the surgery to spin into 'platelet gel' to help healing, and the wound would be filled with that followed by stitches and then super glue. It sound like yours was much more extensive than they have described mine as being and I do hope I have not been misled.

 

[claudia]

They did tell me I would have 2 drains, but they did not mention staples. They said they would draw blood before the surgery to spin into 'platelet gel' to help healing, and the wound would be filled with that followed by stitches and then super glue. It sound like yours was much more extensive than they have described mine as being and I do hope I have not been misled.

I was all used to the idea of the thyroidectomy, and then when I went in on Wednesday she said she will also be removing all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Did anyone here have that done? She said it will be 2 weeks before I can drive because I won't be able to turn my head.

If you are one who prays my surgery is the 22nd and I would be very appreciative of any prayers!

I had my surgery 6 years ago and they used the internal stitches and glue, I think it is pretty standard now.
I only had one drain though.....

Removing lymph glands is standard for papillary. When I had mine done the lab diagnosed papillary originally so they removed mine....(after surgery the biopsy showed folllicular)
The only problem I have had since that is that I do get edema in my left (the side my lymph glands were removed from) ankle/foot now.....doctor said it could be related to removing them.
I will be sending prayers your way

 

[pixiewings71]

I have no experience, just wanted to offer up some (((HUGS))) to you.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Thank you so much everyone, you have been more helpful than you may know.

I was all used to the idea of the thyroidectomy, and then when I went in on Wednesday she said she will also be removing all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. Did anyone here have that done? She said it will be 2 weeks before I can drive because I won't be able to turn my head.

If you are one who prays my surgery is the 22nd and I would be very appreciative of any prayers!

Mickayla, I just wanted to say that you will be in my thoughts and prayers this week.Blessings to you.

 

[mrsklamc]

Thank you so much! The last thing I was nervous about (besides the surgery) was the endocrinologist because I couldn't get into the one that is very well known about here. But I saw mine this morning, and he was very nice.

 

[mrsklamc]

Just wanted to update everyone I haven't already chatted with elsewhere. My surgery went really, really well- better than I ever could have imagined. If not for one mishap with a nurse not knowing what she was doing it could have been practically pain-free.

Right now I'm not getting too tired even without thyroid replacement drugs, which I won't be able to take for a few more weeks, so hopefully I don't get too warn out. Appreciate the prayers and didn't want to leave anyone wondering! <3

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

So glad you are home and recovering well. I'm glad it wasn't a bad experience for you and soon you can get your meds up and going to put you back to normal.

There always has to be "one" of those nurses, doesn't there? Mine was the nurse trying to dig to China through the back of my hand to put my IV in.

Take care, and thanks for the update!

 

[minniecarousel]

Glad to hear that it went OK. Scary stuff, huh?! Good to have it over with.

Hang in there.

 

[claudia]

glad to hear that you are home and all went well. Unfortunately there is always "that nurse"....had one myself.