New, Nervous and Surgery -Bound

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2006
New, Nervous and Surgery -Bound
7
Sun, 08-13-2006 - 9:40pm

Hi All,

First let me say how helpful you all have been so far. I have been on the internet over the last few nights and found this site tonight.

In June, I found a golfball sized lump in my neck. I didn't even know I had it until I was on the phone at work and rubbed my hand over the right side of my neck! I freaked out and went to Urgent Care right away. They in turn, referred me to an ENT doctor. Had to wait a week to get in. He was very reassurring, but told me he needed to start at the beginning and rule out all the bad first. So, I was scheduled for an ultrasound & needle-aspiration biopsy (5 weeks later, talk about excruiciating!).

I just had that done on August 1st. The radiologist showed me the "golfball", a fluid-filled cyst and the nodule behind it. He looked at the left lobe and saw smaller nodules and cysts. My left side was 1.9 cent. just over the required size for the biopsy. The doctor told me it is actually a good sign that I have more cysts and nodules because typically cancer presents with one. So, I suffered through the biopsy and drove myself home. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone!!! I have no family here except my children and I didn't know what to expect and they were already scared enough.

My ENT doc called a week later and told me my biopsy came back with folliculat cells and that he didn't want to take a chance and wants to do surgery. Folliculat cells are normally associated with goiters (which my grandmother had), but can be cancerous. To be honest, when he said surgery and cells, I blanked out. I had to ask the nurse when she called back to give me the date of my surgery.

I have done alot of research and I am staying positive. I have two teenagers and I know they are already worried. I overheard my 13 year old son tell one of his friends that I mught have cancer and I just broke down and sobbed like a baby. My bloodwork was all normal from the draws at the biopsy, but I have to go have more done next week.

Can anyone tell me what I can expect from this surgery? Pain? Recovery time? Will I be able to talk?, What kind of scar will I have? What if it is cancer?

I really appreciate any help.

Thanks!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 12:54am

Hi Julie!
I've just been through this in the past couple of months and I know how you are feeling! This is all very scary, so I'm sending you many cyber hugs!
I'm not sure I understand what folliculat cells are...At my biopsy, they found papillary cancer cells--after the radiologist who did my biopsy told me that he was sure that everything looked fine and that he felt I was one of the 95% who have benign nodules! Quite the shock to go to the ENT a few days later and find out it was cancer!

I'm assuming that your surgery is having your thyroid removed--or is it for another biopsy? I had a complete thyroidectomy done on July 25. I'll try to answer your questions. In my post in the next section, I described the whole procedure. To be totally honest, the worst part of the whole thing was the anticipation and waiting for surgery. I worried about every stupid little thing. I worried about my doctor and how qualified he was, I worried about not being able to talk, I imagined all kinds of horrible scenarios...everything! Try not to do this to yourself! This is a very common surgery.

PAIN: I did not have a whole lot of pain. I was uncomfortable a bit, but mostly it was because I always become nauseous after being sedated. I actually threw up a little, which stressed the sore muscles in my neck. They gave pain medicine and honestly, I can't say that I was ever suffering. Sleeping the first night was tricky, but each day, I felt better and better. I used the pain medication they offered and continued to take it at home--typically when I went to bed, as that was the most uncomfortable time for me, but again, the whole ordeal was not terribly painful.

TALKING: I was able to talk as soon as I woke up. My voice wasn't affected at all! This was one of my biggest fears because it was listed as a risk factor in the information the surgeon gave to me. I think that if you have an experienced surgeon, the risks of having your vocal chords damaged is very small.

RECOVERY: I stayed in the hospital for 2 days. They wanted me to go home the next day, but I fought it a bit. I was a little nauseous, too, so they let me stay! When I came home, I pretty much laid on the couch for another 2 days. Each day was better than the one before. It was tricky taking a shower those first few days...and I had to be careful what I did. My mom came and stayed when my husband wasn't there and I really did need the help. (I have 2 young children) Take all of the help you can get that first week or so! I felt much better when they removed the stiches a week later (that didn't hurt at all). I didn't drive for 2 weeks, and I would REALLY recommend that. I've noticed since I started driving this week, how much you turn your head when driving and I would have really hurt myself if I had done it sooner! Also, you'll have to be careful not to lift anything heavier than 10 lbs. I'm not working right now (I'm a teacher) but I would say that you'll probably need to take 2-3 weeks off. I got tired during the day and fortunately had a lot of friends who made meals for my family and me.

SCAR: The scar really isn't that bad. Mine is still healing, but people are always surprised to see that it isn't worse. I have to use sunscreen on it or cover it in the sun, but it is healing much faster than I ever thought. While in the hospital, one of the nurses told me that she had a partial 10 years ago and I really had to look to see her scar!!! I also found out that 2 of my co-workers have had this surgery, and to be honest, I never ever noticed a scar on either of them! I'm going to really have to look when I see them again! Even now that it is summer, I find that most of my shirts cover my scar, unless I am wearing a v-neck shirt...

WHAT IF IT'S CANCER? Well, I think it depends on the type of cancer...but keep in mind that most nodules are NOT cancerous, and if they are, it is usually one of the easily treated types. If it is, they will probably remove your thyroid. Then you'll have a Radioactive Iodine treatment (I will be doing this in a few weeks) a few weeks later. My doctor who found my lump told me that if you have to have cancer, this is the type to get because it is very easily treated and slow growing. There is lots of information on the internet about thyroid cancer.

I wish you lots of luck! Soon this will all be over! Take everything one day at a time, and don't worry about the "what ifs". If there is anything else I can answer for you, please ask and I will do my best to help! Please keep us updated.

Claudia

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2006
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 8:28pm

Hi Claudia!

Thank you so much for the quick response! You settled my uneasy mind quite a bit!

I woke up this morning with my "golfball" back! The radiologist said it could quite possible fill up again, but this time it is painful. I called my doctor and he told me that he expected this to happen and that the pain was from my biopsy (we think the radiologist hit a nerve) and not to be worried. Unless, I have trouble breathing or swallowing, I have to tough it out. Did you have any pain before your surgery?

My surgery is a partial at this point. My doctor explained that they will do a section and freeze it and do a quick test to see if it presents cancerous cells. If that is the case, he will remove the entire thyroid, he may do it even if not, do to the growth on the left lobe. It will be a surprise for me when I wake up!

Folliculat cells are common to goiters. It basically is a follicular cell that overproduces and grows a goiter. It can be cancerous in about 5-10% of patients. Since I have other things growing on the left lobe, my ENT feels it's best to be preventative. And, my radiologist told me the same thing, that everything was fine!

I don't have family here, but have great children (16 & 13) and wonderful friends that will be with me at the hospital. What bothers me the most is the effect it may have on my kids. I have been very honest with them (although I downplay the cancer stuff) and I know they are scared. I plan to bring them to meet my doctor, so he can explain it to them. My biggest fear is leaving them before they are ready to be on their own. As a Mom, I know you understand! But, when that fear comes to the surface, I push it back where it belongs.

I have had two surgeries in my whole life! A tubal ligation and knee surgery. Luckily, I didn't have a bad reaction to the anesthesia, but I have a hard time with pain meds, they made me sick.

I will be off work as long as it takes, luckily I am the boss and already have clearance from my boss! I am hoping to be back to work a week or so after, but however long it takes. I never thought about the driving! I guess that would be difficult!

I am relieved to know I will most likely be able to talk! My children, on the other hand, may not!! I planned on buying a loud bell to call for them!

I wish you luck with your treatments, I don't quite know what that is all about, but from what I have researched, it looks like it is all very curable.

Please keep writing and let me know how you are!

And thanks again, Claudia!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 08-14-2006 - 9:46pm

I'm so glad I was able to help! I thought about you a lot today! It is still so fresh in my mind how scared I was before the surgery, and I so hate for anyone else to have to go through that!

I know exactly what you mean about being scared about leaving your kids...I had the exact same feelings. Mine are still so little that I worried that they wouldn't even remember me! But like you, I just tried as hard as I could to push the feelings away...and it all turned out fine for me--and it will for you, too!

I think it's a great idea that you are taking your kids to the dr. If they have any questions or fears, they are sure to have them answered! My 3 yr. old doesn't understand, but my 6 yr. old was soooo worried about it being cancer that we decided to tell him that it was not cancer and that the drs. just had to remove my thyroid like they removed his adenoids. That seemed to put him at ease! At this point, he is very upset about my being isolated after the RAI treatment. I won't be able to see my kids for at least six days after having the radiation! It's going to be tough, but when I think of how much worse things could be, it puts it all into perspective.

I am so sorry that the "golfball" is back! I actually had no pain before surgery, although my biopsy was a bit painful, too, and I hardly had time to get over that before I had the surgery done! I am sure that they hit nerves when they were doing my biopsy, too! I had such sharp pain in my jaw and up the side of my head during the procedure. It wasn't horrible because of the anesthetic, but it was uncomfortable and my neck hurt for quite a few days afterward.

I will keep you updated about me, and you do the same! I will be thinking of you and praying for you that all works out for the best! I keep thinking about the days that I can put this all behind me and it becomes just an unpleasant memory! :)

Claudia

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-15-2006 - 9:25am

Hi Julie,


Welcome to our board.


You have read some great information from Claudia who has been through this so recently.

 

Calley7

Avatar for daggs170
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 08-16-2006 - 10:17am

Julie, to introduce myself, I am Bea and had a partial first and 6 months later had a Total. The biopsy that they do while you are on the table may or may not tell the whole story, but the pathology report that they get a week later will tell it all. It would be nice to get it all over with in the first surgery and be done with it. However, I must commend Claudia as she did a wonderful job in telling you what to expect. I had my Total 10 years ago, and to be honest with you, I was definitely told also not to drive for 2 weeks. By that time you will feel pretty good, it's a day by day procedure and you will notice that the next day is always just a little better than the day before. The "no driving" is because of how you have to turn your head, and if you ever had to turn your head fast you could cause some damage--so it's better to be safe than sorry. Also, your scar will probably fade away in due time--they usually try to cut in a crease in your neck so that eventually it just sort of blends in. It's true, many people don't even notice it if they don't know, but once you've been through it yourself you will find yourself looking at people's necks!!!

I had only one nodule when I went in--but my big mistake was I was told in the beginning it was nothing to worry about and then 14 years later it started to swell up and bother me. When tested it was COLD and HARD, signs of possible ca. If it is fluid filled, it sounds like it might be alright, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Recovery time is not as long as you may expect, but I would definitely stay out of work for at least 2 weeks. Your vocal cords hopefully won't be affected, I think the surgeons are more aware of this problem now--and also ask your surgeon how many of these has he performed and what kind of a surgeon is he. The best is a thyroid oncologist surgeon, but they aren't always available. My throat was so numb when I came out of surgery that I didn't have any pain at all, I could eat anything (slowly), and will warn you that if the whole thyroid comes out you will probably notice in due time that the food seems to have a tendency to go down once in awhile before your ready to swallow. I still find a juicy orange or even an apple with juice will choke me. I've also had to learn to sleep a little different as far as fixing my pillow a certain way--if I lay too flat or head too high it seems to pull--you will adjust to all this in time.

If it is ca, do not worry about it, as it is the best kind of ca to have and to cure. You may be in for a treatment or two after the surgery, and if this happens, do not be alarmed, just be happy that they are taking the extra precautions and you will be a happy mom and person that you are doing this and will return to good health again. You MAY have to go on thyroid meds after this if it's a partial, you definitely will have to go on thyroid meds if it turns out to be a total. Do not despair, this is better to be caught now and not left--which was the biggest mistake I ever made. I ended up with pappillary with follicar variant, but was also told it was well encapsulated. But it turned out to be much larger than what any tests had shown and the tests before the surgery did not show ca at all. So, you are doing the right thing.

Please keep us informed, many here can help you with the little things that will crop up and help you handle the day to day. Claudia has done wonderful, and you two are sort of going "neck and neck" so to speak, and no pun intended. I wish you well, prayers, hugs and love coming your way. Please keep us informed as you go along with this procedure. Bea

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2006
Sun, 08-20-2006 - 9:46pm

Hi Claudia!

Sorry I have taken so long to respond, I had a computer crash, no access llowed from work, a laptop that was ancient and woldn't let me log on and finally, tonight I was able to get things working!

I m anxious to know if you have had your treatment yet? I hope you were able to get all the info you needed. I thought about how I would handle the same thing and it would be so difficult! Anyway, I am praying for you!

I had my blood drawn on Thursday. The girl did a horrible job and I am bruised, on BOTH arms. She even took blood from the middle of my arm! From what a friend of mine in the medical field told me, that is unheard of! Usually it is the plce they try to get a line in if you are coding!!!! Anyway, at least that part is over!

My "golfball" is playing games with me, it is large one day and smaller the next, definately a fluid-filled cyst. The nodule is not sore anymore, just in time for ny surgery! I feel pretty good, just tired.

I am trying to stay positive, am anxoious to get the surgery over with! I worked a 7-day week to try to get caught up a bit. I am a Property Manager and run three properties, so it is always a ton of paperwork. Also, we are getting a new Regional Manager, so it has been VERY stressful, no one is sure if we will be let go. Just what I need, right??

I bette get going, my son wants to watch "Shrek". He is 1, but sometimes the little boy comes out again! He races motocross and has been gone all weekend, as has my daughter! She isn't back yet, so he gets me all to himself.

Take care and write when you can!

Julie

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-13-2006
Sun, 08-20-2006 - 10:02pm

Hi Bea!

Thank you so much for your responses. You answered so many of my questions and helped to calm my fears!

My blood was drawn on Thursday, so that is done. I am trying to keep busy and not dwell. Work is crazy right now, so that helps keep my mind off of the surgery. Night time is the worst. Sleep has been elusive! But, I am off tomorrow after 7 days straight of work, so maybe I can nap!

I have a good surgeon, highly recommended,been doing this for23 years! One thing I like is that when I have a concern or just a question, I call his office and get either an immediate response or a call back in a short amount of time! I wish I had the choice of hospitals, but that is ok. I can cope with that.

My children are doing better with it. My son is 13 and he hides alot of his concerns, but we had a long talk and I was completely honest about all the possible outcomes and I had hem read some articles and these correspondences from you and Claudia. It made them feel better too!

My only fear now is the unknown, I guess I will have to look at it as it will be a surprise when I wake up from surgery, as to what he actully does!

I will keep you updated as I go. My surgery is next Weds (30th), still don't know what time yet. So, until then, have a great week and we will talk soon!

Thansk you, Bea!

Julie