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.
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.
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.
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.
