Scared of what's to come!

[candycloud]

hi I'm booked in for a hemithyroidectomy next Thursday (18th July) as they think it's likely I. Have cancer in a lump. I'm due to go on hols 12 days later and I'm worried about the op itself and also if it will restrict swimming etc with the kids? Please can u help with what I should expect? X

[Tatty10]

Hi i am waiting for my surgery date for a total thyroidectomy, and am also waiting to read what replies you get , feeling very scared and apprehensive about what will life be like after surgery

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Tatty10]

H

If it any help to you my sister in law had a TT almost forty years ago , she had a lump on her thyroid that turned out to be malignant. She also had radiotherapy. Since then she has one a university degree, taught science, brought up two kids, gone rock climbing, serious hill walking, mountain biking, swimming, camping, yachting - they have been living on their yacht for about five years now and was last heard of in the Caribbean on their boat. She pops home every now and again to visit her doctor and gets enough thyroxine to keep her going for long periods of time.

Her life after surgery has been very good so hopefully yours will be too. Good luck,

Liz

[PinkNinja]

I'm afraid I've never had this procedure so I can't really help. I wonder if you could contact your doctor and ask then, if they are helpful.

Hopefully someone who has been through this will be able to respond soon.

All the best for the op. I hope it goes well and doesn't spoil your holiday.

Carolyn x

[shellybelly_71]

I had my first hemithyroidectomy last May then the next half in June. I found my first surgery easier than the second if I am honest. The recovery for me was good. I was off work for 3 weeks but really would have been back after 2. I am a hairdresser so a physical job. I cant remember when I took the sterile strips off but am sure its wasn't as long as a week. You wont have outside stitches it will be all inside. Dont try and peel off the sterile strips until there falling off really. This will help with your scaring. My scar is great, would have been better if it hadn't been opened twice. I would say by 12 days after you should be ok for swimming as you will be showering or bathing. You don't have to keep it dry. Think I would have been in the shower maybe 2 days after. You will need to protect your wound from the sun thou so as high a factor as you can. Or cover it if you can.

I to had my hemi done because of a lump in my neck. The 2 biopsy weren't conclusive so out it came. Thankfully it did as I had follicular cancer. Thou the tumor was small. I was given the option of keeping the other half with yearly check ups or take it out. I said take it out. It was then found I had a micro cancer of the papillary variety. My oncologist said that that would probably never have caused me any bother. I am glad its gone thou. I also had the option of radio active iodine therapy which I took. But if I had known then what I know now I wouldn't have had it. I think we panic when its cancer and don't always think things thoru. They test your blood for thyroglobin which should show if there is any thyroid showing in your blood. Which is what they use for keeping a check of the cancer.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you that it all goes well. If you have anymore questions just ask, only happy to help.

Shellybelly x

[ThyroidHell]

No need to worry , I had my right removed 30 years ago. I didn't go on any medication. It was a huge nodule and then on 24/6 I had my left removed. I also found that the 1st op was easier but then again I was much younger. I am off to Ibiza tomorrow :o) .