Upcoming Surgery Tuesday - 8/19/08 - nervous and scared

[Louisiana_Kim]

Hello everyone..  Thank God for this board.

I'm having surgery to remove half (maybe all) of my thyroid.  FNB came back as "worrisome".  I'm just really nervous about all the "what if's" and I can't sleep at night.  One question I have is ....If my nodule is malignant, wouldn't my lymp nodes be enlarged and I would be able to feel them under my jaw/neck?  The other question I have is ....do they usually catherize you during this surgery?  I really dread that part if they do.

Thanks so much for being here.

Kim

[peggy64]

HI, Kim,

Please update us on your progress. Praying all went well.

Waiting to here from you...........Peggy

[kamvick]

My prayers are with you all through your surgeries. I had mine on August 6 and I am doing well. I didn't know the Drs. use superglu to close up the incision. My surgeron said they do that so you won't have any scares. Anyway, I am still recovering, it's only been 2 weeks and a day but I feel pretty good and go back to the Endocronologist on next Thursday to see what type of meds I will need if anything. Please pray for me in that area. My surgery was successful, no cancer, just an enlarged goiter 3 times the normal size per the surgeon

[speechie603]

Your in my thoughts and prayers. I do hope all goes well.

[Backgammon48]

Hope this post finds you back home and on your road to recovery.  Lots of thoughts and prayers going out for you.

[Red2008]

Your in my thoughts and prayers. Best of luck -  Julie

[abean]

I had the exact same issue- several biopsies came back pointing to cancer and even though i had just gone through and not recovered from major neck surgery, they insisted i have the thyroid surgery The good news is that it was so easy,  and not nearly as bad as i had anticipated! I am a big wimp, so when i tell you it was fine, it was! I was driving carpool in two days and had mild neck soreness. I had a catheter and did not have any discomfort or pain. I also had a smart husband who came with me and insisted at pre-op that they give me something to calm my nerves- maybe versed?- anyway it was fine. I really hope you have good news as i did that it was benign. try not to worry- it is not a rough surgery. The worry is worse.

[mommy2two2008]

Thinking of you and wishing you well! ~Kim

[helsurf]

good luck hun!! you'll do fine, let us know how you get on :) x x x

[nellster]

Best wishes.  I will be thinking of you and knowing that all will be well!  You will be home before you know it!

Patty

[ChitChatNine]

We will be thinking of you every step of the way ... let us know how you make out after the surgery .. Cheryl

[Louisiana_Kim]

After reading all of your post, I am really feeling more confindent about the surgery tomorrow.  I so appreciate all of you sharing your experiences.

To speechie603:  I am having my surgery done at Lafayette Surgical Specialy Hospital.  I will have to stay overnight and should go home around noon the next day.  

To Lil_Lilly:  I'll let you know how it goes.  It will be your turn next week.

Hugs to all,

Kim

[speechie603]

I hope all goes well with your surgery. I, too, am from Louisiana and am having thryoid problems. I'm waiting on the results from my FNA as we speak. Do you mind me asking where you are getting your surgery done? Please let us know how it goes.

[Backgammon48]

I had my right thyroid gland out at 20 and on 7/29 I had a TT.  No cath.  Both times, I was worried  but needlessly.  You go in and wake up later.  It is not a minor surgery but it is one of the better ones to have.  I had a colon resection two years ago and thought I would die before I recovered.  Get yourself a neck pillow and a bag of peas, don't worry, be happy.  Will be thinking of you.

[utahmomma]

To all with upcoming surgeries - you'll do fine!  I enjoyed it so much that I did it twice!  :-)

Okay, they didn't find the cancer until after they closed on my first lobectomy then I had to have the other half out a year later but, still, I had it twice.

Quite and easy surgery.  No cath (either time).  Talk to the anesthesiologist about using a small tube so your throat isn't too sore.

As for whether or not it's cancer - you're taking the right step in getting rid of it!  Tell your surgeon to grab it out, drop it to the floor, stomp on it, then toss it across the room.  :-)

Deal with whatever the diagnosis is after the surgery.   There are 4 of us in my family with papillary carcinoma.  Two of us needed followup treatment - two haven't needed anything additional, the surgery was enough for them.

HUGS my surgical friends!

[Lil_Lilly]

Hi Kim,
I will have the same surgery one week from Tuesday. Same dx as you. Half for sure maybe all will be removed. FNA came back follicular neoplasm (suspicious). I had the same questions as you and this thread has really helped. Please post how it went for you. Good Luck -- all will be well

[kipland]

I also wanted to wish you the best of luck on Tuesday.  I know full well what you're feeling, as I was in the same spot a year ago.  Scared!!

I had papillary carcinoma, and no ~ my lymph glands were not swollen, nor could I feel them.  I didht have a cath either.

Had I known then what I know now, I probably wouldn't have been so nervous.  Like the other posters, I was so scared of them cutting my neck.  But I can tell you that I never once felt pain with the incision.

I have to agree with Liz......the "cocktail" was wonderful.  One minute I was complaining that I was cold, and they started putting warm blankets on me, and the next I was waking up in my room.  I don't even remember the recovery room.  I swear, I wanted a doggie bag of that stuff to take home with me!!!!

My thoughts and prayers go out to you.  Please post when you can and let us know how it went.

Lori

[Mystee73]

I'm going for full removal on Tues too.  We're surgery buddies. :)  My FNA was like yours but my Endo thinks it's VERY likely to be cancer so I'm going for the whole removal.  I asked about cathing and was told likely not to be cathed.  If the surgery goes long they "might" in and out cath me but would all be while I was out so no pain involved .  Hope all goes well for you.
Cindy

[blksapphire]

I just want to wish you the best of luck.

I had hot noudule, but I did not have surgery.  I had the RAI treatment therefore:I can't really answer your question about the nodules, but hopefully someone else can.

Big Hugs to you Kim and I will keep you in my prayer.

We are here for you.  Take care and try to get some rest and keep us up to date.

Terr

[Louisiana_Kim]

Thank you so much for all the information and encouragement!

Kim

[mommy2two2008]

Hugs to you Louisiana Kim from another LA Kim - I am sure you will do fine and I will be praying all comes out wonderful for you!  ~Kim

[Deborah34]

I was scared too, it's completely normal.  But this is a straightforward surgery and you'll be fine afterwards.  Like Liz94 I was terrified of someone cutting into my neck, but really - it was OK.  It will be painful to swallow for a few days but that's from the breathing tube.  I was able to swallow solid food again after about a week, but that's when I was most comfortable doing so, not because of pain.  My biggest difficulty is getting my hormone levels adjusted again.  

My advice is to do some very gentle neck rolls - from side to side - when you come home.  This will help to relax the muscles that were cut into during surgery and make them less stiff.  It seems like the opposite of what you want to do but it does help. Just gently and at your comfort level.

I'm glad you're here.  This is a wonderful site. It's been a big help to me and I know it will for you too.  You're among friends!

Good luck and please keep us posted.

XOXO

Deb

[Liz94]

Don't be scared, it really isn't a horrible type of surgery to have.  My hysterectomy was much much worse!  I went in scared out of my mind because I just couldn't not fathom someone cutting my neck. Made me sick to think about it. Then I woke up from surgery and thought "that's it??"  Little sore throat from the breathing tube and some mild soreness for a few days.  Nothing to worry about!  The best part for me and something to look forward to......that awsome few minutes right before surgery when they doc comes in and gives you the "cocktail" in your IV.  One minute your nervous, next minute you are happy as can be, then you wake up and it's over!

[lilypad300]

Best of luck with the surgery.
I just had a total thyroidectomy on 8/4 and other than calcium issues, the 1st week, I feel that I am recovering well.  
They did not catheterize me, and the main discomfort I had post-op was a sore neck/throat and some tingling/numbness die to the calcium issue.
Rest up & relax.  Although I'm new to all of this, i you have any other questions just ask.
The people here are awesome!
I

[mags59]

Good Luck with your surgery.  I just had a PT on 8/6.  They don't catheterize you (at least not that I'm aware of!).  They will, however, use a breathing tube, which will only give you a sore throat afterwards, but that goes away in a few days.  Otherwise, just expect a sore and somewhat stiff neck.  I was nervous too, but it actually wasn't all that bad.  The first day or two it was hard to sleep only because I couldn't get a comfortable position where I wouldn't be putting pressure on my neck (I can't sleep on my back due to scoliosis).  And actually, the hardest part I've found is getting your hormone levels adjusted after the surgery.  Like Thypatient said, just try to relax and get some rest.  We're here for you!