Having surgery in 3 wks. few questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Having surgery in 3 wks. few questions
9
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 11:41am
Hi my name is Natasha 26 mother of 3. A few months ago I found a huge lump on my neck. I went to my Dr. who refurred me to an Endro. Well I had an ultrasound and the mass is 3.8 cm on my right side and there is 1cm on the left side. My biopsy came back but didnt show anything. I had my blood work done but the test show that my levels are fine. Here are my questions. Im having sympton of Hypothyriod...sluggish, achy, dry brittle hair and nails, no sex drive (which is killing my DH) and constipation. Could me being on Birth control pills made my results come back normal. My dr and that they will probably only remove the big goiter and only both if it comes back cancerous. Should I go ahead and just get both removed and take meds to help with the Hypothyriod if that is what I have. Sorry if I sound a bit confusing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks
Natasha
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2007
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 12:11pm

Hi Natasha,

I've had the same surgery as many on this site have as well. Can I ask a question? Has your doctor stated that you have a "goiter" and not a "nodule(s)"?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 12:18pm
He told me that it was a goiter. Is there a huge difference between the two?
Natasha
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2007
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 12:43pm

Hi Natasha,

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland and a nodule can be similar to a cyst which may be inside of the thyroid.

Either way, It's important that you communicate and ask questions of your endocrinologist AND of your surgeon, as well, so that you feel more comfortable when making your decision. I was diagnosed with a nodule and with hashimoto's disease. I ended up getting part of my thyroid out and then later, as a result of the more in-depth lab tests, went back in for another operation to remove the rest of my thyroid. I'm now on synthroid and have been since Feb. of last year. This month is the one year anniversary of my last surgery.

Natasha, in order to make the decision about whether to have a sub-total thyroidectomy (half your thyroid out) or a total thyroidectomy (entire thyroid out), may I suggest that you make an appointment with your surgeon or if you cannot get in before your surgery, call their office and insist that the surgeon call you back as you have some questions. If you feel confused at this time, may I suggest that you sit down and write down a list of things that are making you feel confused re: the surgery, actual benefits/drawbacks of going half vs. total thyroidectomy etc. and communicate each point to your surgeon and ask for their response/opinion.

I know that something like this causes anxiety but what I discovered, and this entire experience (pre and post-op) is a discovery period for you, is that knowledge is the best medicine. My boyfriend told me that I was reading too many books on this subject and researching on the net and that it was making me more anxious and nervous. However, I was able to learn more and ask the questions that I felt that I needed to ask of my GP, my surgeon and my endo. (both pre and post op)

Hope this helped....

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 2:14pm
Thanks so much for your input. Actually first I was told it was a cyst after my ultrasound then after the biopsy I was told it was a goiter. But I called my surgeon left a message that I had some questions. He is gonna call me back. Thanks so much for helping me.
Natasha
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-13-2007
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 2:43pm

you're welcome!

And please know that this site is a source for support for you both before and after!

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 02-15-2007 - 11:37pm

Hi Natasha,


Welcome to our board.


I would echo what gal_deedee2 has said.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2007
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 4:16pm

Hi Natasha,

Sorry to hear your feeling yucky!... but the BC would not have anything to do with your levels. I had a partial thryoidectomy on Jan 18, 07. I had a 3.0 cm nodule removed with the lobe and a remaining 1.7 cm nodule with a cyst on the left lobe. Yes they will only take half if benign on the table, I had mine removed at the Mayo Hospital with some of the finiest Docs in the world, they dont like to remove the whole thing unless neccesary. Mine was benign on the table and final path report was completely benign, so I listen to them and all is good.

My labs prior to the surgery were always normal as well, yet I experienced some of your same symptoms. I would say just do the half, whole you can live a normal life but on meds forever, which is not bad it regulating them that is the bummer. So I live with my left nodule still in and will continue to monitor , but that nodule turning cancer is very rare since my other was benign. However this is such a personal choice, I wanted you to hear a story from someone who has walked in your very shoes, may help in your decision.

I wish you the best of luck with your decision, the surgery is not bad at all!! you will have a sore throat stiff neck really tight feeling... like it has been sewed on..lol =) true! but there is no pain in the incision. Recovery is fairly quickly you will be feeling much better within 2-3 days!!!. so please dont worry about the surgery.. and follow your heart with the decsion or trust in your doc, to make it for you. Wear you double smile with pride as it has become for us who have lived through this our symbol of life =)) God Bless... YOU WILL BE GREAT.

Kelly~

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2007
Sun, 02-18-2007 - 7:36pm
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. I talked to my Dr and we're only gonna remove half. I was wondering if you experienced in difference in the symptoms you were have like if they went away or stayed. Thanks in advance.
Natasha
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2007
Tue, 02-20-2007 - 7:02pm

I still have them.. though the weight of having the surgery over and knowing the results has certainly helped and relieved some of them ! so I think the weighing of the mind plays such a huge role in our health and well being!. I reached out to everyone on the boards the night b4 my surgery and asked for some prayers, as though we can never have enough.. with the huge response that I received here and on the other board .. sent me to surgery with such peace and serenity.. that I sailed right through it! So dont forget to reach out for some xtra support and prayers I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for good health and speedy recovery. God Bless & Good luck, let me know if I can be of any more help~

Kelly~