Partial Thyroidectomy what to expect??

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Partial Thyroidectomy what to expect??
5
Fri, 07-14-2006 - 11:44am

Hello everyone I'm new here and I hope someone can calm my fears. After my doctor found a nodule on the left side of my thyroid, I was sent for a FNA which came back suspicious. I was then sent to a consult with a surgeon who recommended a second FNA, which came back suspicious as well. July 3 the surgeon informed me that I should have a partial thyroidectomy and when the frozen section is done in the OR if the results come back mailgnant then I need to have a total. I am looking for any advice or insight from anyone with a similar story on what to expect. My surgery is scheduled for Aug. 8 and I am very anxious and nervous.

Kim

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 07-14-2006 - 2:00pm

Hi Kim


Welcome to our board.


I can understand why you're feeling anxious about the surgery and possible cancer.

 

Calley7

Avatar for daggs170
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 1:46pm

Hi Kim,

Your story sounds just like mine--started out with left side nodule, a partial thyroidectomy, and then the surgeon told me I HAD cancer but not to worry that it was all gone. Six months later I had normal routine testing and found out that I still had cancer so had to go back to have the other side out and RAI treatments to make sure it was all gone. From my experience, they don't usually find the true dx until the final pathology report comes in and that is about a week after your surgery, so if they suspect that there are ca cells there and are hesitant about what they see while you are on the table, they will give you the final pathology report about a week later. And that will determine if you need to have a TT or not.

Normally, if they find you need to have a total in this week's time, they will probably try to get your right back in for the second surgery as it's really better than waiting the six months. With me, they cut into the same scar, so I have only one scar. They usually try to cut into a "line" in your neck so that it won't be too noticeable after the healing process. Whether you have a partial or a total, they will undoubtedly tell you not to drive for at least a week, preferably two weeks, because you won't be able to turn your head fast enough from side to side looking for traffic. If you are found to have ca, and they do a total, they may present you with RAI treatments which they will explain to you at that time. Normally, probably only a small one the first year and then they will see what happens after that. It all depends on what they find, how big, how much is involved, etc. I did end up with a paralyzed vocal cord because my tumor was wrapped around one cord, also a shoulder strap, and I lost 2 parathyroids.

Questions you could ask are:

Do you think my parathyroids would be affected, and if so, what then? (Most people are born with 4)

Do you think this will harm my vocal cords?

If it turns out to be cancer and I have to have a TT, will I also have to follow up with RAI?

How many surgeries do you perform or have you performed relating to this issue?

Is he a thyroid oncologist surgeon?

Will you be under an endocrinologists care after this? (Most people do get an endo as they are a specialist in this field)

This is just a few things for you to be thinking about. I hate to jump ahead, but these are all things that you have to think about, and add any more questions you can think of, because sometimes dr.s and surgeon's don't tell you the whole story and they inform you as you go along on a need to know basis. Also, a suggestion is that whenever you have lab work done to get a copy of it in print for your own records. You will be learning all about TSH levels, T3 and T4 and many other things related to the endocrine system and your thyroid.

I wish you good luck. I had my TT almost 10 years ago--on July 31st to be exact, and I feel good and I know that you will too no matter what they find and what treatments you have to go through. It's just something that we hate to bother with because who wants to take time out of life for things like this, but it's worth it for the good health you will have afterwards. Life does get normal again. My prayers and hugs to you, Bea

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-14-2006
Sat, 07-15-2006 - 9:19pm

Thank you so much for all of the information especially from you Bea!! I already have the answers to some of the questions that you suggested but there are others that I had not asked or even thought to ask. Especially the follow up with an Endo., my surgeon has not mentioned seeing an Endo., maybe he will after surgery, but I will be asking prior to. The surgeon I am seeing is not a specialist, he is a General Surgeon but assures me he has performed this operation many times. He explained about the parathyroids, and the possibility of vocal cord damage as well. He also told me about the RAI if I have cancer. At this point my first biopsy could not rule out Papillary, and the second couldn't rule out follicular so who knows what's going on in there. My nodule is 1.5 cm, so if it is cancer hopefully it's early enough not to have reached anywhere else. Anyway I'm rambling, so many questions and just overwhelmed with this I guess. Thank you to those who responded I will keep you updated on my journey.

Kim

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2006
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 10:42am

Hello

I am new here as well. I was recently diagnosed with a nodule on my left Thyroid lobe. On July 13th I had a partial lobectomy done. It was a fairly simple proceedure. A small incision was made in the crease of my neck. The left lobe and the area known as the isthmus was removed. My doctor used surgical adhesive to close the incision. There will be some difficulty swallowing, some soreness in the neck. But overall I am felling much better. I have not gotten my pathology results back yet. Hopefully there will be good news as my biopsy results showed atypical cells present. You will most likely be prescribed pain medication and antibiotics. Keep the incision dry for three days, eat only soft foods that you can tolerate and plenty of rest. I was afraid in the beginning but now that it is over with I feel much better. If you have any more questions fel free to ask. Hope I have given you some helpful information.

Best of luck to you;-)

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2006
Thu, 07-20-2006 - 2:24pm
hi kim,
everything will be ok. it sounds like your doc is doin gthe right thing. i had symptoms and the big lumps on the right side for almost a year before i could get a doctor to take it seriosly because my thyroid numbers were always 'within the normal range'. my voice had changed, the knots were visible in my neck, i had pain throughout my body, skin and hair changes- you name it. i had to fight for an ultrasound and that is when my doc decided that i needed surgery because they were solid masses and had invaded into my throat and were interfering with my ability to swallow and breathe. no biopsy because they were gonna have to go anyway. i had a partial on the right side and he removed four large nodules from the right side. turns out that my right thyroid was the size of a lime. the day after my surgery he diagnosed me with cancer and 3 days later i was back in surgery getting a complete through the same incision. a month after that i had to go into isolation in the hospital( because i have 6 children) and have the radiation treatment. i am now on 150mcg of synthroid, which is the 3rd time my dose has been increased, and i am still feeling pretty bad. my levels are still not good and there is talk that i may have to do another round of radiation or maybe even go for chemo.
but i think in your case you have docs that are listening to you and your body and are concerned and are taking no chances. i will be praying for you and don't you worry, things will be ok.
cathy