Thyroid cancer?

michelca

Hi all,

I've just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The good news is that it's completely curable! However, I'll have to have a total thyroidectomy within this next month, and though I know in general what to expect, I'm still a little nervous. Has anyone had experience with this? How long did it take to recover? How long did it take to find the right synthetic hormone balance?

Any help would be appreciated

CJK1959

My dear, I am so sorry for your misfortune, but it's great news that they can cure it! They must have caught it very early. My mother didn't have thyroid cancer, but she did have abnormalities that required removal of half. They were able to find the right hormone pretty quickly and she hasn't had any problems. Not the same, but hopefully it will help. Good luck to you.

dkvote

My husband was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 12 years ago when he was 29. Add me if you like and I will try to help you answer all I know...he had to have numerous surgeries and it was tough at first to get him on the correct medicines..ask away! I am here for you!

deb968

I just had my 5 year checkup. I would say that it is not bad. Just that you do not want to do anything for about 3 weeks. Then they will get you meds going for 30 days. After that they take you off of Synthroid and on a different med so that you can have your treatment. It is a 30 day diet with no Iodine. It is a struggle for a bit. You will be very tired. Take it one day at a time. Add me as a friend if you want.

Blessing,

Deb

MamaDee2

My mom had thyroid cancer an it did taae some time but they did get her meds all regulated and she is doing great. Had the surgery about 7 or 8 years ago. Good luck to you!

nikwhyte

I underwent the surgery for a total Thyroidectomy on June 30th, 2011. I also have/had I'm not exactly sure how they class it once the surgery is complete papillary carcinoma. The Surgery wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. I was in the hospital overnight and although I had not voice (laryngitis) for approximately 1 week after the surgery it really wasn't that bad. My incision is very small (about 2 inches long, with 2 very small holes below from the drainage tubes) and my doctor was able to ensure it was placed below my t-shirt line, as it heals he tells me it will become a faint line on my neck. The Pain of the surgery was well managed with Tylenol within about 2 days. I have been very luck in regards to my medication, I am already pretty regulated. When I received my first prescription of Synthroid my pharmacist made it very clear to me that the medication works the best if you take it every day at the exact same time, about 1 hour before you eat anything and with lots of water. So I have trained myself to take my medication every morning at 7am, with a bottle of water. If I deviate from this time, sleep in, or decide to take the medication later, I feel off all day, I'm not really sick, but I do feel kind of funny almost like the beginning of flu like symptoms. I am currently waiting for my referral to Princess Margaret Hospital to see if /when I will need to undergo the Radioactive Iodine treatments.

Add me if you want to chat:)

gkclay

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year, and had a total thyroidectomy at the end of October 2010.

I was in the hospital for 3 days afterward. I had two rounds of radioactive iodine. My most recent whole body scan came back clear. My right vocal chord was paralyzed for about a month and a half afterward, but is mostly normal now. The pain from the surgery wasn't really that bad, I just took the Tylenol with codeine that the doctor prescribed for a couple of days.

As for getting my synthroid (meds) regulated, it has been an ongoing battle, I'm up to 250mcg of synthroid daily, which is a very high dose, but what it takes for me for whatever reason. If you are trying to lose weight (like I am), make sure you get your meds checked regularly, because weight loss will affect the dosage you'll need!

Good luck with your surgery, and feel free to add me if you'd like!

michelca

Thanks everyone for your responses. I feel a little better prepared now. Your support is wonderfully appreciated

ukjohn

Hi, I hope all went well for you.

I was diagnosed this time last year with Thyroid Cancer after a chance conversation when at my doctors about another unrelated issue, that I had a small lump sometimes and only feel it now and again. He had a rummage around my neck and throat and confirmed that i had a small lump and would refer me.

The consultant landed the news on me that I required surgery as the lump was cancerous (he never directly said i had cancer). My surgery was completed in April '11 with an overnight stay. i was initially only going to get a left side thyriodectomy unless the surgeon decided otherwise when in surgery. When I woke I found out I had a total removal as my thyroid was 'rotten' and that small lump was just the tip of the iceberg so to speak.

I also had radioactive iodine treatment and have had promising scan results and blood tests since. My only issue I have at the moment is getting my thyroxine levels sorted. I'm now on 325mg daily to find a good slightly overactive level to suppress any natural production of tissue. Still not there with it yet.

Personally it is a journey that I think only other unfortunate folks who have dealt with it can only understand. The feeling of 'can't be bothered' and worry about it's return as well as weight gain, more than 10kgs for me to add to the general feeling of struggling, but the only positive that I worry about is that I'm still here to see my son grow up.

I often wonder where i'd be now if I had not mentioned it to my doc as I was there anyway, as being a guy I don't think i would have went to him specifically for it as I had no pain or discomfort from it. Thats what really frightens me about it.

I'm now trying to get back into MFP to get motivated to get fitter again. First step is to get rid fo the 10kgs since last year.