Hi,
I had a total thyroidectomy last week. I had multi-nodule goitre. Completely normal thyroid levels, although @radd had pointed out that some were low in the percentage scale. At one point one of my antibody panels was off but then completely normal on the next test.
Two of my nodules were larger - 3.2 and 3.8 cm -and in a difficult placement. On either side of my trachea and esophagus.
At first, after biopsies on those two (five or six modules in total) came back okay, I was more than happy to simply watch it all over time. And do nothing. I mean all my numbers were fine. Why take it out?
My health was awful. Intense fatigue, could hardly walk well when I could walk hours on end, wheezing, shortness of breath when hardly doing a thing, cognitive issues, issues with swallowing at times.
A ton of symptoms.
But at the same time about three years ago this fall, I had found out that I was b12(103) and d vitamin d (19/7.6) deficient. This was after telling doctors over and over something was not right. But I had had sepsis twice and been caregiving for four years straight. And then mourning. So although I knew my own damn body, I started to think I was creating something through exhaustion and mourning.
----
When I started my b12 shots many of my original symptoms disappeared. I had about thirty of them. I made the assumption that those remaining were just b12 low levels being left so long and might heal in time - or not. As once again my thyroid panel was normal.
So why did I change my mind and get a thyroidectomy?
Last summer two things happened. One, I almost drowned. I am a crazy strong swimmer. I jumped into the lake off a boat, without anything but joy in my mind and heart. I came up, the water was a bit rough and my sister's boat was nowhere near me. She had lost her anchor and a current had taken her way back.
No problem. I will just casually swim in her direction.
Within minutes I was drowning. Minutes. Seemed like seconds. I was actually calm thinking my goodness, this is how I go.
It was crazy and obviously I made it. I calmly told them to turn on the engine and get the boat back to me. In a much shorter sentence of course! They tried a noodle out at first but I had nothing in me to even get near it. They had no clue what I was facing as I am strong swimmer and drowning is very quiet and still.
I still did not put anything together in my head. I simply thought that I did not see swimming as exercise and you are still recovering.and chalked it up to you swam too hard, too quickly in rough waters.
And left it.
And then there was my first endocrinologist appointment. She said can you do me a favour? Put your hands over your head and slowly lower your chin. I thought nothing of it. Okay, no problem.
Umm problem! Immediately I could not speak or breathe.
So I thought about the mechanics of the front crawl and about how I sleep. Hands over head and chin angle not controlled.
Surgery was now my choice, in one instance. I knew some formation of the modules was creating this issue of a lack of oxygen and strength.
I waited and waited. And finally surgery was here.
Nope. Omicron was. All of our hospitals closed down. And I found out that mine was closing, on Christmas Eve.
When we opened you have no clue where you are now, on the list - as potentially more serious cases have come in to be triaged. So I said I will take anyone's cancellation at any point. No matter the late notice.
And they heard me! The greatest miracle in itself.
So days before the surgery, I claimed last Wednesday. Thank you to whoever cancelled.
I have sailed through this thyroidectomy, so far. In shock how well at this point. Some tingling and numbness. Some discomfort. But everything completely and utterly manageable. Never even took a painkiller. Filled them but never took them.
Medication. Due to all of your guidance I talked openly about starting not too low, based on weight.
But I was scared because of the Synthroid stories on here and t4 in general.
But-
It is like someone has given me something I have needed my entire life. I know that makes zero sense as my thyroid numbers were fine and it is not supposed to make a difference for weeks. And part could be new oxygen levels, due to removal. But within days I felt entirely different. I had hunger. I have not had an ounce of hunger pain in years. My legs feel less heavy and concrete and more viable. I can raise myself up easier. My head feels clearer. I do not think I have missed a word in this post. Maybe I have but that would happen every other sentence in these last couple of years. The inability to even edit well has been so shocking and saddening for me.
Anyway, I am at a total loss why a functioning thyroid would feel life- changing coming out, but it most definitely has felt that way. And the most perplexing part is I know part of it is the medication.
Yes it is early. But I did not anticipate these positive changes.
Thanks for listening to my story. And thank you for all the time and insight you all provide. Someone suggested I pop on over from the Pernicious Anemia section on here, over a year ago. And boy am I happy I did. And a special shout out to Radd. Radd ,you made me believe I was not cuckoo for cocoa pops at times on here. Great role! And skills. Feeling cuckoo is not pleasant! Insert great big smile. Thank you.
Thank you everyone. You all do such a good job of sharing your insight and time. I am very appreciative.
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