I'm sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. It's understandable that you may have many questions and would like to connect with others who have experience with the same diagnosis.
We have information about thyroid cancer on our website which you may find helpful as well as a team of nurses that you can call to talk with. It can often help to chat things through with someone, and I'm sure that they will be happy to offer any advice, information, and support that they can. If you'd like to chat with them they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040.
We do have quite a few members here on the forum who have been through treatment for thyroid cancer. I'm going to tag in [@MargaretMary] as I know she is one of our regulars who often replies to others who have been diagnosed with the same. Hopefully, she'll see your post and pop along to say hello and share her experience with you.
I hope that you don't have to wait too long for your surgery date. Keep in touch with us here on the forum and let us know how you're getting on.
Hi. As Jenn has said, I had thyroid cancer just under two years ago - this time two years ago, I was awaiting a biopsy. I don't know what form of thyroid cancer you have, but most are comparatively mild. Obviously, nobody wants to have any form of cancer but papillary thyroid cancer is very rarely life-threatening and is usually just treated by removing the thyroid.
The anxiety really is the worst part. Other than that, I had my thyroid an something like 58 lymph nodes removed about six weeks after my diagnosis (but this was before coronavirus set in, which could cause delays) and was back at work a month later.
I now take medication every morning to do what my thyroid should do. It is literally just a case of taking two tablets each morning.
I also have radioiodine treatment, but whether you have this or not will depend on whether you are considered at much risk of reoccurrence. It's really only a nuisance anyway. It is just taking a capsule but you have to remain in hospital for a few days afterwards as you are radioactive.
Thank you so much for your reply, you make it sound so easy. Mine has spread to my lymph nodes too and need a neck dissection with a total thyroidectomy.
I've just received my operation date of 24th November, already had pre op, and having another biopsy tomorrow. I'm 59 which is older than most I feel.
Thank you for your reply, not long for your operation now, i really hope it goes ahead, my fear is that the operation will be cancelled. Mines 24th November
I did have a date for the 2nd November but got transferred to another hospital because I needed a neck dissection, I'm having another biopsy tomorrow.
My operation finally went ahead on 14th December. I had my thyroid removed plus tumors and although I've not had results yet because of Christmas, I believe a lot of lymph nodes were removed. I've got quite a large scar running from behind my ear right up to my other ear. Just wondering if anyone can give advice about the swelling afterwards.
Hi, my surgery went ahead on 15 November. I had a TT and central neck dissection. 25 of the 28 lymph nodes taken out were cancerous. I have RAI on 28 January. How are you doing? I hope your recovery is going well
I don't really have any advice, but at least in my case, it pretty much sorted itself out. It's now two years since the operation (in three days) and mostly, people don't even notice the scar. By the time I had my radioiodine treatment, the following May, even a doctor had to search for the scar.
If there is a lot of swelling along the scar, it may need to be drained. The doctor will probably do this if necessary when he gives you the results. Or you could call your GP if you are worried about it. They should be able to check if it needs doing.
I also used bio-oil to reduce the scarring, but I don't think you are supposed to use that for a number of weeks after the operation - maybe 6? So best to check about that with the doctor too.
You're a month ahead of me, are you still very swollen. I seem to be going back to the hospital every 10 days. I've not received my results yet due to Christmas. I'm due to get results 11th January, my surgeon said he had taken everything, like I said my scar is ear to ear.
Again thanks for your reply. I hope your RAI treatment goes well
