[Queen of Chaos]

Three weeks ago yesterday I had to have my thyroid surgically removed. Five rounds of ultrasound along with accompanying nuclear uptake scans over 2 1/2 years (every 6 months) and immeasurable blood tests indicated I had a couple of growing nodules and a few new ones developing so sooner or later I'd have to have surgery. I decided to proceed.

My thyroid was three times bigger than normal and the surgeon said it was "filled" with nodules, cysts and cancer. He thinks he got all the cancer but I'll have labs in a few weeks to find out for sure.

Because the surgery was so much more involved than expected, I ended-up with all my parathyroids wounded (for lack of a better word) so instead of coming home right away, I had to stay in the hospital four more days for IV calcium.

I feel better but woefully tired. I'm on a low dose of thyroid hormone replacement but it'll be 3-4 more weeks before they even begin trying to prescribe the optimum dose for my body.

I've missed following everything at PsychCentral. If my concentration was poor pre-surgery, right now it is almost non-existant! Everyone keeps saying I'll eventually feel better - I hope they're all not just trying to humor me!!

[Perna]

Oh, I'm sorry you're going through this right now; I hate that tired feeling! My aunt had hers removed but without complications. I just take the replacement hormone, don't have any nodules or anything that I know of. It can take awhile to get the amount balanced and all, hope the rest of your recovery goes smoothly.

[Fresia]

I am so sorry to hear you have had to go through this and are not feeling so well yet. I am hoping for the best, that they got it all, and for a speedy recovery. I know for a friend, who had hers out recently as well, it has taken a bit to get her supplemental hormones leveled out, so to stay on top of symptoms and in close contact with the doc. Sending good wishes your way meanwhile.

[wackywidow]

I am keeping you in my prayers, and at the same time I am asking you to remember me because I am following in your footsteps ... I am afraid. I have an appt with a Gen Surgeon on Nov 29th reagarding a large cyst on my thyroid gland along with several smaller ones. The biopsy came back neg but the cyst is pressing on a nerve and causing some distress.

I am a breast cancer survivor, so I am being very cautious at this time. I am also dealing with several abdominal cysts as well, which are suppose to be benign by ultrsound standards. My cancer doctor is ordering some CT scans instead. I am not sharing this with you to make you feel worse; I am trying to find some support somewhere. I fear once they take a look at the thyroid gland, it will probably come out. It is going to be a long three weeks of waiting and then scheduling surgery if that is the route that is deemed necessary. Patience is not my strongest virtue.

Keep me posted when you can. I wish nothing but the best for you.

[ECHOES]

What you are going through sounds very rough. This is a good time to just focus on resting and recuperating. I can imagine how weary you must feel after having surgery, learning of the more extensive involvement than you expected, and having your thyroid hormones out of balance. So many physical and psychological stresses. Take good care of you!

[wackywidow]

Hope that today finds you a little bit better.o not overdo it. These things take time to heal physically and psychologically. You were hit withseveral surprises.

My apologies, if I seemed unsympathetic to you in my previous post. It was unintententional but I am very scared myself right now and there arre a million and one things running through my mind as I can imagine are running through yours. We both need to control those thoughts, which is difficult to do. You have my empathy more than you know. My prayers are certainly with you in the hopes that your recovery is a steady one and a positive one.