thyroidectomy substernal

[bo62]

hi everyone!!! I finally got my enlarged thyroid removed on 8/1/24 and all went well, thank the Lord ! And my wonderful surgeon and support staff! I have to say the thyroid was quite large to say the least, waiting on pathology reports. Some pain immediately postop but feeling much better now, more of a bruised neck and shoulder feeling. I did have somewhat of severe muscle and joint pain and discomfort and found out it was due to low calcium level, 7.6, normal low range 8.8, my PTH was 6.4 as well which is quite low. So lots of daily tums and calcitrol for me ! Also started on synthroid 0.137 mcg daily as well, this is the beginning of a new journey so I will try to update as I find out more but if anyone has any info that would be helpful that would be appreciated as well! My thyroid was evidently growing to the backside of everything in the neck and it was growing upwards towards under the chin and then also downward under my collarbone. I don’t have the exact measurements at the moment but the pic the surgeon gave me has a ruler beside it and it looks like it was close to 14 cm across, left lobe probably about 6ish cm and the right lobe was about 10ish cm long , isthmus was about 1.5-2 cm, and the widths of the lobes were quite wide! Any input on the size of this monster that was causing havoc in my neck and throat? Actually my body I’m assuming as well cause I feel so much better since it’s removal, I’m sure I have a long road ahead of me but at least I have a starting place now instead of all of the confusion that I had in the beginning not to say I’m still not confused lol , endocrine is so complex and complicated! Thank you for all your input earlier on enlarged thyroid gland and the possibility of having thyroidectomy. Now it’s a wait and see if the pathology report will come back benign or not, praying 🙏 for a clear diagnosis. You guys have a wonderful week and God Bless everyone!

[Brightness14]

Hi I am so pleased that your TT went well, it's a bit daunting especially one your size. I had mine removed back in 2015 and started medication for the first time the next day.

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[bo62 in reply to Brightness14]

Thank you and yes it was very scary but I was very glad to have it over! Yes and I started meds the following morning as well, I thought I would be waiting a few weeks from reading literature so I’m happy he started me immediately! I set a tell the difference in my neck and throat with it gone as well as swallowing a pill and breathing. Thanks again for your support!

[Brightness14 in reply to bo62]

Your welcome.

[Laidbacklettuce]

Hi there. I had a large 12cm substernal lump on my left lobe removed this April. However they left the right lobe. Mine sounds very like yours, it had been growing towards the back of the neck and then into the chest under the collarbone. For the first couple of months after surgery I felt rather sore and tired but feeling pretty good now, even without any meds. Just had my bloods done and the remaining half is coping ok at the moment. The pain, discomfort and not being able to breathe/swallow before surgery was awful. Also felt totally exhausted, unwell and basically missed out on a whole year of life. It took them a while to locate it as initially they thought it was a smaller nodule but then the Cat scan showed most of it was hiding behind and in the chest

Going forwards it was thankfully all benign and although I’m still quite tender on the left side of the neck/throat, doing well. My soreness is probably due to my left vocal cord being damaged by the surgery unfortunately. The nodule was pushing on the left vocal cord even before surgery. Now 3 months on, my voice started getting weaker rather than better and this week it was confirmed the left vocal cord needs treatment. Looking at speech therapy and probable injections. But even with this complication, it’s such a relief to have the lump removed, it made me feel so poorly, whole left side of neck/throat/jaw was inflamed and was being choked! I’m back doing things I enjoy even though I have a weak voice. Luckily I don’t need it for my job. Hope you continue to heal up well and get good news regarding your pathology. Best wishes!

[bo62 in reply to Laidbacklettuce]

Laidbacklettuce, thank you! Wow, sounds so much like me! Hopefully you do get your voice back and recover completely! Bless your heart. Thank you for your kind words and I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers too ! Have a blessed day!

[bo62]

update on pcp visit Thursday august 8, 2024. Labs drawn, calcium now 9.7 range 8.8-10.3. Headaches! BP 150/100, started on HCTZ 25mg, did not effect BP and I broke out in mild hives! I have my appointment with the surgeon this Wednesday the 14th, I sure hope I’m not going to be on a roller coaster! Pathology report in and he will let me know Wednesday! During all of this and prior for months my blood count has been abnormal, wbc low, preop wbc 2.7, low range 5.2, my past several labs have been low as well, no answer to reason. Neutrophils 74 range 50-65, lymphocytes 12.2, range 20-40. Monocytes 11.7, range 0-10. Eosenophils 5.9, range 0-5. Basophils 1.2, range 0-1. Rbc3.86, range 4.2-5.4. WBC 4.1range 4.8-10.8.any ideas or input? These lab results have been happening prior to my TT. The wbc did go up postop from 2.7 to 4.1, I’m afebrile.

[bo62]

Update on my TT, my pathology report was Benign!!! Multinodular Goiter with multiple colloid type nodules noted. Weighed 120 grams. Surgeon has released me to my pcp to manage unless problems. I’ve sent a message to the hematologist about the abnormal blood counts so waiting her response. Thank the Lord no malignancy! Have a blessed day!