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So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/28/2014 4:40:26 PM   
LafayetteLady


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From: Northern New Jersey
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Just five days from today, I will go to the hospital so they can slit my throat and remove my malfunctioning thyroid and at least one malfunctioning parathyroid.

As some of you know, I made this decision after gathering a lot of information and I still believe thyroidectomy is the best way to go. I have visited endless websites (there is actually a site called parathyroid.com!) So I'm confident I have learned all I can handle learning about these two insidious organs at the moment.

I've spoken to the doctor and the nurse regarding my anxiety issues, and steps that can be taken to help them stay manageable (including a note from my psychiatrist, who basically tells them to just pump me full of Xanax while in the hospital, lol).

I even had the occasion to meet the nice young ladies who will likely be my nurses while I'm hospitalized (good friend was in that ward), which adds to easing my anxiety

The doctor told me I can administer my own medications (mainly insulin) as opposed to having some hospitalist mess with the dosing schedule my endo and I have set up. This is because I've read that when diabetics on insulin go in the hospital, the staff doctor (my endo is not doing the surgery) tend to ignore what protocols are in place in favor of what they want to do. My insulin schedule is a combination of advanced carb counting and flex schedule, so other than my endo and I, no one knows how it works. Besides hospitalists aren't diabetes specialists.

So anyway, 5 short days before I go in for this procedure and I've "armed" myself with every bit of information I can to keep from it sending me into a very bad anxiety attack. Still, the anxiety is starting to climb already. I keep thinking of what I have to pack for the hospital, deal with my transportation (which might get complicated), what to bring to entertain myself ( I know I won't be able to access this site).

Then I worry about the things out of my control. How bad will my voice be after, and how long with that last, what kind of food will I be allowed to eat? Will they accidentally paralyze my vocal chords or damage the remaining parathyroids so I will have calcium issues for the rest of my life? While we regulate the new thyroid medicine will those damned hot flashes come back (that could make me homicidal).

Yes, I'm worrying about things I shouldn't be, and I'm trying not to, but I just can't seem to stop myself.

Any suggestions for keeping my head from exploding?

< Message edited by LafayetteLady -- 9/28/2014 4:41:07 PM >
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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/28/2014 4:50:47 PM   
subrosaDom


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Joined: 2/16/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Just five days from today, I will go to the hospital so they can slit my throat and remove my malfunctioning thyroid and at least one malfunctioning parathyroid.

As some of you know, I made this decision after gathering a lot of information and I still believe thyroidectomy is the best way to go. I have visited endless websites (there is actually a site called parathyroid.com!) So I'm confident I have learned all I can handle learning about these two insidious organs at the moment.

I've spoken to the doctor and the nurse regarding my anxiety issues, and steps that can be taken to help them stay manageable (including a note from my psychiatrist, who basically tells them to just pump me full of Xanax while in the hospital, lol).

I even had the occasion to meet the nice young ladies who will likely be my nurses while I'm hospitalized (good friend was in that ward), which adds to easing my anxiety

The doctor told me I can administer my own medications (mainly insulin) as opposed to having some hospitalist mess with the dosing schedule my endo and I have set up. This is because I've read that when diabetics on insulin go in the hospital, the staff doctor (my endo is not doing the surgery) tend to ignore what protocols are in place in favor of what they want to do. My insulin schedule is a combination of advanced carb counting and flex schedule, so other than my endo and I, no one knows how it works. Besides hospitalists aren't diabetes specialists.

So anyway, 5 short days before I go in for this procedure and I've "armed" myself with every bit of information I can to keep from it sending me into a very bad anxiety attack. Still, the anxiety is starting to climb already. I keep thinking of what I have to pack for the hospital, deal with my transportation (which might get complicated), what to bring to entertain myself ( I know I won't be able to access this site).

Then I worry about the things out of my control. How bad will my voice be after, and how long with that last, what kind of food will I be allowed to eat? Will they accidentally paralyze my vocal chords or damage the remaining parathyroids so I will have calcium issues for the rest of my life? While we regulate the new thyroid medicine will those damned hot flashes come back (that could make me homicidal).

Yes, I'm worrying about things I shouldn't be, and I'm trying not to, but I just can't seem to stop myself.

Any suggestions for keeping my head from exploding?


Sort of. The most important variable here is your surgeon. There aren't that many thyroidectomies performed per year per surgeon (80K-100K or so, depending on where you look), so the average general surgeon does 3 or 4 a year. The average otolaryngologist does maybe 3 every 7 or 8 years! Now, this doesn't speak for your particular case. What is most important here -- and, really, this is incredibly important -- it's not just this surgery but heart bypass, etc. You don't want a tyro messing with you.

So do you know precisely who is performing the surgery? Do you know how many thyroidectomies s/he has performed in his/her career? How about every year? If you have an ENT who has done 4 a year for 10 years, that's whom you want. If you have a general surgeon who's done 3 in 10 years, sorry, no. It is worth having -- or postponing your surgery -- based on this.

While no one can predict individual performance, the statistical correlation between experience and the most successful outcomes is strong. Look, even famed orthopaedic surgeon James Andrews had to start somewhere. But it needn't be with you. So if you don't know this information, get it. You have every right to it. Make your decision based on that.

Good luck.


_____________________________

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

- Nietzsche

(in reply to LafayetteLady)
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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/28/2014 7:58:07 PM   
LafayetteLady


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From: Northern New Jersey
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Thanks. I actually switched surgeons because I didn't like the first. My current specializes in thyroids and oncology, and had several awards for exellence. So I guess I'm starting out right!

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/28/2014 8:02:14 PM   
shiftyw


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Best of luck!
I think you've done your homework!


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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/28/2014 8:07:05 PM   
PandoraFoxxx


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From: San Mateo, CA
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Well wishes and breathe deeply! Have you stocked up on Netflix watchlists and books to keep you occupied in recovery? :)

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/28/2014 9:29:01 PM   
subrosaDom


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Joined: 2/16/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Thanks. I actually switched surgeons because I didn't like the first. My current specializes in thyroids and oncology, and had several awards for exellence. So I guess I'm starting out right!


Then you did the right thing. You have maximized Expected Value :) And after all, who cares if the first surgeon didn't like it. That's not the one operating on you!

You will do great and come back to the forums where we can argue politics. Good luck!

< Message edited by subrosaDom -- 9/28/2014 9:30:31 PM >


_____________________________

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

- Nietzsche

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/29/2014 7:10:05 AM   
satw


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Joined: 9/17/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Just five days from today, I will go to the hospital so they can slit my throat and remove my malfunctioning thyroid and at least one malfunctioning parathyroid.


I had my thyroid and some lymph glands out just at a year ago. This is one of the safest surgeries there is. Expect to have a sore throat (sorry if that's too obvious!) and be prepared for it to take your endocrinologist some time to get your synthroid dosage right - there may be some tweaking and adjustments before you get things right and you're not running too hot or too cold.


quote:


Any suggestions for keeping my head from exploding?

http://www.thyca.org/ is a wonderful support site specifically for thyroid cancer, but the surgery is the exact same surgery. Try there. Or message me, we can exchange emails if you need a wailing wall / sympathetic ear / someone who has been there, done that.

(in reply to LafayetteLady)
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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/29/2014 9:06:21 AM   
LafayetteLady


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From: Northern New Jersey
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Thanks to all for the supportive words. Yes, shifty, I'm pretty sure I'm research out, lol.

I do like my current surgeon a lot, so we will see how that goes.

satw,

I am expecting it to take some time to get the dosing right, that part is the most annoying. I'm not really the patient type. But I do have an endocrinologist who will work with me, which is a bit more comforting. As I mentioned, we handle my diabetes a little differently, with me making many of my own adjustments with his consent and support, so while I won't be self adjusting this, I've no doubt he will keep changing until we get the right dosage and type.

The idea that getting these two things (thyroid and parathyroid) fixed will make me feel so much better, less pain, better sleep, more energy, etc. is both overwhelming and exciting, but I'm not getting my hopes up too much, lol. Of course, either one could have the biopsy come back malignant but I haven't even given that a thought because of the rarity of it.

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/29/2014 1:07:38 PM   
ResidentSadist


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From: a mean old Daddy, but I like you - Joni Mitchell
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Wishing you a speedy recovery.

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I give good thread.


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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/29/2014 2:29:26 PM   
satw


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Joined: 9/17/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Of course, either one could have the biopsy come back malignant but I haven't even given that a thought because of the rarity of it.



Mine was malignant, but everyone, and I mean everyone, agrees that if you are going to get cancer, thyroid is the least scary. The survival rate is incredibly high. So don't even worry about that at all, even if the biopsy comes back malignant you're fine.

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/29/2014 3:31:11 PM   
LafayetteLady


Posts: 7683
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Northern New Jersey
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Thanks. I have read all about that, so thyroid cancer isn't even on my radar.

What worries me the most is the parathyroid tumor. Not that it would be malignant, but I've read that sometimes after thyroid surgery (and mine includes parathyroid surgery), your calcium levels can be messed up for life, sometimes even requiring IV calcium on a regular basis.

And of course I'm worried about my vocal chords being damaged. I trust my surgeon, and believe everything will be fine, but I guess I just need to worry about something, lol.

Did you find that you were hoarse or your voice tired quickly after your surgery?

Oh, and congrats on the successful outcome!

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/29/2014 6:15:11 PM   
Misspuppygirl


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From: Pennsylvania, USA
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Good luck! Wish you a safe recovery!

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 9/30/2014 6:51:55 AM   
satw


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Joined: 9/17/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

Did you find that you were hoarse or your voice tired quickly after your surgery?

Oh, and congrats on the successful outcome!


My throat was sore, I was hoarse, and I couldn't talk much immediately after the surgery. I would say it was 90% recovered in a month or so. I *still* occasionally feel it when I swallow - it's like there is something in my throat which rises and falls, but is very stiff. Almost like there is a piece of plastic stuck to the front of my esophagus. But that just feels really odd, it doesn't cause any problems.

And thank you, I hope yours is just as successful if not even better!

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RE: So The Countdown for having my neck slit has begun.... - 10/2/2014 12:23:22 PM   
mnottertail


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Well, how did it go LL?, any word on when you will be able to give blowjobs yet?

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UPDATE - 10/7/2014 1:33:11 PM   
LafayetteLady


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From: Northern New Jersey
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So, the thyroid is gone! Of course, my insurance didn't want to cover Synthroid which the surgeon wanted, so that caused some problems, given a weekend discharge.

So it is now Tuesday and I have yet to take any thyroid replacement medication. Feel like shit, although, apparently insomnia at the moment is not an issue for a change. Instead, I can't keep my eyes open, lol.

Spoke to surgeon and endo. Endo chose new medication, but without me driving, getting it has been an issue, so, the surgeon found some pharmacy that is going to deliver it (where in this area will be interesting).

My neck looks as bad as it feels, and so far, no great changes in how I feel (but with med mix ups...), but still I'm hopeful.

Oh and shifty,

I itch so freaking bad it's pathetic! Not the incision, everywhere else.

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RE: UPDATE - 10/7/2014 4:42:52 PM   
kallisto


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Here's hoping that you get to feeling better real soon and for a good recovery!!!!

For the itching ... can your docs get that pharmacy to deliver you something for the itching? That would drive me up a wall.

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RE: UPDATE - 10/7/2014 5:04:41 PM   
shiftyw


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From: The Shire
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I hope they get you some meds soon. No numbness or pain or weird cramps right?

Make sure you a calcium test a few months from now.

im sorry you're itchy, but feel so vindicated, hopefully you have success with the meds.
Well recovery wishes!
If you have any questions feel free to reach out!

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RE: UPDATE - 10/7/2014 11:49:56 PM   
LafayetteLady


Posts: 7683
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Northern New Jersey
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quote:

ORIGINAL: shiftyw

I hope they get you some meds soon. No numbness or pain or weird cramps right?

Make sure you a calcium test a few months from now.

im sorry you're itchy, but feel so vindicated, hopefully you have success with the meds.
Well recovery wishes!
If you have any questions feel free to reach out!


Got the meds late this afternoon. Itching stopped. The surgeon had thought I wouldn't have real problems with levels for a week (he knew about the pharmacy issue). As usual, my body proves them all wrong, lol.

I was low enough I could barely keep my eyes open, walking to the bathroom was a huge effort in balance and (apparently unusual to the doctors) I was also hallucinating (but not exciting ones).

Yesterday, I was running a low fever on and off all day, but had I even gone to the ER they would have told me I wasn't running a fever (my normal body temp is about 97, so when it is 98.9, it's a fever). Surgeon said it wasn't high enough to worry about since it was controlled by 600mg of Ibuprofen.

Calcium Friday night was 10.1 and the resident was telling me how that was fine. Not happy when I told him it was too high. But it was 9.3 when I was discharged.

I feel SOOOO much better than earlier today now that I have the meds, but the freaking insomnia is back (normal for me). I am going for my "standard" blood work either Friday or early next week, then back to the endo. Probably follow up with surgeon next week and go over pathalogy.

My standard blood work is about 8 vials of blood and always includes calcium, vitamins B(s) and D, A1C, blood glucose, kidney and liver function and the endo is sending me the lab script so we can add PTH to it to make sure that is running right now.

No, shifty, no cramping, no odd numbness (a little at the incision which is normal), and no unexpected pain. My neck hurts like a bitch though. Feels like I'm wearing a too tight turtleneck that I can't get off.

Oh, and the glue is starting to flake off the incision. I'm doing my best to leave it alone, but the surgeon told me if I gently peel it away, it's not a problem (so hard to resist that!)

Thanks everyone for the well wishes. It's really hard when you live alone and go through these things. Mainly because when you feel like crap, you (at least I) don't want to make decent food to eat and there is no one to baby you. My travel agent (who I became friends with) actually offered to pick me up and take her to her house down the shore to recuperate, but I didn't see that message until today. I would have taken her up on it.

I am lucky with my downstairs neighbors though. One brought me a food care package (I'm still trying to figure out why she included pickles and olives) and her daughter's boyfriend is taking me to the grocery store tomorrow (the bus would kill me). The daughter is going to come up and help me clean up and brush out my hair for me. Grateful for the length since I get to just braid it and leave it be for a couple of days.

So all in all, doing ok. I just really need to get back on track with my insulin and other meds (which is the other thing about living alone).


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RE: UPDATE - 10/8/2014 12:26:10 AM   
subrosaDom


Posts: 724
Joined: 2/16/2014
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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady


quote:

ORIGINAL: shiftyw

I hope they get you some meds soon. No numbness or pain or weird cramps right?

Make sure you a calcium test a few months from now.

im sorry you're itchy, but feel so vindicated, hopefully you have success with the meds.
Well recovery wishes!
If you have any questions feel free to reach out!


Got the meds late this afternoon. Itching stopped. The surgeon had thought I wouldn't have real problems with levels for a week (he knew about the pharmacy issue). As usual, my body proves them all wrong, lol.

I was low enough I could barely keep my eyes open, walking to the bathroom was a huge effort in balance and (apparently unusual to the doctors) I was also hallucinating (but not exciting ones).

Yesterday, I was running a low fever on and off all day, but had I even gone to the ER they would have told me I wasn't running a fever (my normal body temp is about 97, so when it is 98.9, it's a fever). Surgeon said it wasn't high enough to worry about since it was controlled by 600mg of Ibuprofen.






Think of the upside. You could have Ebola and pass the airport screening!

In fact, I have the same "issue." My body temperature is normally very low, 96-97. If I'm in the 99's, I am sick. If I shoot up to 102 or 103, happens almost never, time to call the coroner.

Some people who don't do well with Synthroid do much better with Armour. The reason is that not everyone can convert t4 to t3 easily. Armour gives you t3 straight. Synthroid is all t4. Doctors I trust (and I am not big on trust based purely on credentials) lean heavily toward Armour. Having said that, if Synthroid works for you, fantastic, and enjoy your new, preferably non-pruritic existence.

_____________________________

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.

- Nietzsche

(in reply to LafayetteLady)
Profile   Post #: 19
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