Thyroid Cancer

I work in a cancer hospital and that surgery is one of the simpler ones. ☺ You'll do great. Good luck. Make sure you keep up with you physical therapy after your surgery.

Sorry you're going through this. Had the same thing last year. Surgery was fine, recovery time was less than two weeks (and the worst of it was just being really tired!), and follow up included just going to physical therapy to stretch out my neck muscles once I was on the road to healing! I did not have to do radiation, but my sister did, and she also found it to not be terrible (you're basically just in isolation for a few days). Good luck--you will do great.

My SIL went thru that. The anxiety before surgery was hard. She opted for radiation after the surgery to kill off any remaining cells. She takes meds,daily but her life is completely normal. Find out exactly what they are going to do and any follow up treatment.

My scar is very large due to having such an enlarged thyroid, however my surgeon tells me it is healing beautifully. If you decide to go with surgery, get yourself "Jason vitamin E" I use the oil and cream. My scar has faded quite a bit and blends in nicely with my neck crease. I had major complications after surgery, hypocalciumea and an infection...however this only happens to two percent of people. (I also have an autoimmune disease so I heal differently than others) I was in a lot of pain, I won't lie but they give you pain pills and those definitely helped. Also remember, everyone heals differently, I cannot stress that enough. Take your medications exactly as prescribed. It's been six months since my surgery and we're still trying to find the right dose of medication. Find yourself a good endocrinologist and never be afraid to get second or third opinions. Honestly, any questions please ask. I've been dealing with thyroid issues for over ten years. I'm sorry for rambling on, I just wish I had personally been able to hear these things from someone before having the surgery. Again, best of luck!

I know cancer is a scary word but thyroid cancer is the easiest of cancers to cure! Majority of people never even know they have thyroid cancer. I had a total thyroidectomy in November (due to other reasons) but they also thought I may have had thyroid cancer. You'll be just fine sweetie! Just research your options and chose which is best for you. Radiation or surgery...surgery has a better cure rate (as in its a one time thing) where radiation could possibly take a few treatments. Best of luck and keep your head up :)

My mom literally just had her last treatment for the cancer two days ago.They took exactly what they're talking about taking on you. She said it was hard to swollow, and that was the worst part for pain. But she handles pain very well.For the first week she was just very tired. She didn't like her pain pills because they made her feel sick. She wasn't allowed to do too much, it is a surgery after all. And she did have a type of chemo after to make sure it was all done. But she really recovered quickly. She said she expected to be in a lot more pain than she was so it wasn't as bad as she thought.

Thanks for the replys, anxiety has really been getting the best of me the past few days. It's good to hear from people who have been through this and feel like it was not that bad to go through. I know it will be ok or I am hoping it will be anyway and I didn't think I would have such a hard time facing it. I just worry about going through the process of having surgery and afterwards getting the RAI medication and adjusting the medications to get the right hormone level having such a large incision and possible complications after surgery. I know it will not  be an easy process but I just have to be strong and fight and get through this. Thanks again for the replys.