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Partial thyroidectomy and so many emotions

Chilts79
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Hi lovely people

After months of tests, waiting for results, inconlusive results, 2nd opinions and finally having my case referred to the MDT I am finally awaiting a date for a partial thyroidectomy.

I have a 4cm nodule in the right lobe of my thyroid which has been classified thy3 following 2 inconclusive biopsy’s and an iodine uptake scan. The nodule has a mix of cystic tissue and solid tissue with blood flow. The surgeon has decided that there are some suspicious features and has recommended a partial thyroidectomy to take a closer look. If it’s found to be cancerous he will do a 2nd procedure to remove the rest of the thyroid.

My thyroid function is by all accounts normal, and the surgeon has advised me that if they only remove half of my thyroid I should not need any medication. He claims that we only need 1/8 of the thyroid for it to function normally. This seems to conflict with a lot of what I have read about people being on lifelong medication following a partial? Does anyone have any experience with this?

I am also a little concerned about my recovery time. He tells me he will sign me off for 2 weeks after the first surgery which should be adequate recovery time. I am just a little concerned about how much time I might need in total of further surgery is required as I only get 1 months full pay and live alone with my 2 children. How quickly will they do the 2nd operation if required? Can anyone shed any light?

I cant even begin to get my head around my emotions about possible cancer diagnosis because I am so anxious about the practical/financial implications I need to consider. When I try to talk to my partner about these things he tells me to stop worrying until I know there is something to worry about. He himself had surgery for testicular cancer 2 years ago. He was very brave and matter a fact about the whole process and I feel like I need to be the same but am struggling to be so calm about things. He is also in the British Army so was off for 3 months on full pay so finances were not a concern for him.

I would be very grateful for any advise or to hear from anyone with similar experience.

TIA

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    Hello Chilts79, 

    The last few months must have been nerve racking for you with all these tests, inconclusive results and I hope that you won't need to wait too long now for your surgery. 

    We have information on the partial thyroidectomy here which I hope will be helpful to you. I thought I would also mention another of our members [@SophieN]‍ who had half of her thyroid removed last year and who will I am sure be able to tell you more about what to expect and perhaps share her recovery experiences. 

    I can imagine that those financial implications are also adding to the stress of it all and I hope that you will get some answers on this. Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 if you wanted to talk things through with them - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I hope that you will hear from someone else who has had a similar experience before. Wishing you the very best of luck for your surgery and a full and quick recovery. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Lucie

    Hi, 

    I had my partial op last January. I found recovery time to be quite good. I was doing the school run by myself the week after. I was quite tired though. I have other health conditions so I can’t say for sure if the tiredness I still feel is due to partial loss of tyroid. My function levels are normal. 

    My cancerous nodule was 2.8cm. The team at the MDT meeting decided it’s best if I kept remaining lobe in although I was given the choice. Unfortunately after a year, a nodule on the other side has continued to grow so I should be getting that out soon (completion surgery) 

    I hope you’re feeling ok and feel free to ask me anything. 

     Xxx 

     

    Xxx 

     

  • Offline in reply to SophieN

    Thank you for your reply. It is very much appreciated. There is something about hearing from people with similar experiences that is very reassuring. 

    I thought that having a partner who’s beaten cancer would make this all easier but I’ll be totally honest, it’s had the opposite effect. Don’t get me wrong, he is a wonderful partner who I know will take amazing care of me. But he was such a little trouper when he was having his treatment. He literally just got on with things and took everything in his stride. Now I feel like I can’t talk about my fears with him. I feel this pressure to be as brave and fearless as he was. Can’t wait for this all to be behind me. Thank you for the information xxx

  • Offline

    I had a very similar diagnosis with a large (5cm) multi density cyst to my left side. After nine needle biopsies, removal of two blood clots and draining twice the consultant suggested removal and hemithyroidectomy. The surgery was no worse than having a wisdom tooth out. I was up and walking around with no pain relief within an hour or so of returning to the ward. I was kept in for 24 hours for observation but was fine. The following week I did very little as it became sore as the bruising came out but within a week I was doing everything I could before my op except driving which took a little longer. I returned to work after two weeks but I do get a bit more tired than I did previously. I hope this puts your mind at rest regarding surgery and I understand your concerns as I felt similar - I even updated my will and life insurance "just in case"!! Take care

  • Offline in reply to k-dur

    Reading this thread has been very helpful. I had half my thyroid removed 2 days ago after finding a 5cm Nodule. I'm surprised by how quick I have recovered. I'm a 33yr old male in decent health. I was wondering if any of you have noticed any changes in ability to exercise? Do you find it more difficult than you did before to go for a run or a long hike? 

    I'm worried I won't be able to exercise like I used to. Or see the results in terms of keeping the weight off.

    Any info would be most welcome :)

    K

  • Offline in reply to ChuBear

    I had my full thyroid removed and am on thyroid medication, so bit different, but no, I have not noticed any difference in my ability to exercise, except possibly being a bit more energetic. I don't get as tired walking up the steep hill to work, I don't think. And I have lost about a stone in the year and a half since the surgery. 

  • Offline in reply to ChuBear

    Hi just read your Post I am having a partial thyroid removal in September I have a multi goitre with over 30 nodules the biggest being 5cm that is substernal a little bit so I am worried but I feel a bit more inspired Reading you have had this done recently.

     

     

  • Offline in reply to jeny54

    I had a right side Hemithyroidectomy on 19th July due to having past history with Breast Cancer and the concern that this may also be a cancer.  I had a swollen Goitre with a 3.3cm nodule and right thyroid gland had a 1.5cm nodule too.  After 2 indeterminate biopsies we all agreed to do a partial thyroid removal.  I was very tired at first and then my energy levels came back and the interest in wanting to go walking again, do housework or generally to do anything came back in abundance. 

    I now though seem to have hit a slump and have started to feel very tired again although bloods are normal.

    Maybe it is due to the nights getting darker and the feeling of tiredness more.  I hope it goes soon as tiredness is the worst feeling and general fatigue :sad: 

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