Hi All, 

I thought I would create a post detailing my journey after I found a lump in my neck. I think this will be useful to people as I was constantly trying to find out information and resources when I began this journey. 

In November 2018 I found a lump in my neck. My original post can be found by searching "Lump in Neck". People ask how I managed to find a lump, mine was visible when I looked in the mirror. I could also feel it in my neck. I believe that you know your body better than anyone so by regular checks for lumps you won't miss them, so don't be worried about not noticing lumps and bumps.

After finding the lump I went to the doctors and had some blood tests to check my thyroid function. After these came back fine we ruled out overactive/under active thyroid and other such complications. 

After my blood tests I had a ultrasound. From this the doctor believed that my lump was benign. It was 2.5cm buy 1.5cm in size and diagnosed as a U2 thyroid nodule but with further follow up recommended. There is a rating system based on U1-U5 with U1 essentially being nothing to worry about, this can be found by a quick google search. 

I was referred to a consultant at the hospital as my lump was quite large and I wanted it removed. At the hospital I was referred for a biopsy on the lump. After my biopsy I was diagnosed with a U3thy3 nodule. My biopsy results were inconclusive. 70% chance the nodule was benign. 

(side note: I thought I would add a little about the biopsy procedure. I had mine done at hospital in the X-ray department. I wore leggings on bottom and a hospital gown which was pulled down just below my collar bones. I had 2 needles in my lump without any numbing agents. I was covered with a white sheet which had a hole where my lump was.  The first needle I honestly barely noticed, less painful than taking blood. The 2nd needle was a bit more uncomfortable but only about the same pain as a blood test. I was only in the hospital about an hour.)

I was then given the option to be put on a waiting list to have it removed or wait and have another biopsy to see if the results were more clear. I opted to have an operation due to the size of the nodule and discomfort. 

This weekend I had my operation ( only 3 months after finding the lump). I had the left half of my thyroid removed and the nodule. The operation went well. I was put to sleep for the operation and it lasted approximately 2 hours. When I woke up I had a drain in my neck to catch the excess blood. I was in hospital for 2 nights but this was because of the drain, some people only stay for a night. 

I have a small scar in between my collar bones. The stiches dissolve in about a week. Since leaving hospital I have been a bit sleepy and sore but nothing major. I also haven't been able to shower properly or wash my hair yet (you have to wait a week) so I would recommend dry shampoo and baby wipes! 

I have a few weeks off work to recover which is ideal. Once my stiches fall out and everything heels I plan on using bio oil and lots of sun cream to help protect my neck and help the scar heel. 

I am now waiting on results to see what the lump was caused by. I would be lying if I said I wasn't stressed but the odds are in my favour. I have to wait approximately 6 weeks for the results. If the lump was benign there is not further treatment. If it was cancerous I believe I will be having the other half of my thyroid removed. They avoided removing the whole thyroid in the beginning as after that constant medication is required. 

I will keep this post updated with any information that I think might help people. 

Hannah.

Update 1/3/2020: I have pretty much been eating normal food since hospital. My meals have been essentially the same. I originally bought a lot of soup but I haven't really eaten it. The hospital pretty much enforced solid food so don't worry about that either!

Update 16/03/2020: Hi all, 3 weeks after my surgery and I have heeled nicely. I just received a letter from the hospital for my next appointment and to receive my results. I have also just received a letter for an appointment to have a scan on my chest and neck. I have automatically in my head decided this means that I have cancer and the doctor wants to see if it has spread but I am probably just overreacting and the truth is I still don't know!  Fingers cross the scan is for nothing serious and the doctor is going to give me the all clear at my appointment. Keep safe all, especially at the moment. X

Update 13/04/2920: I had my hospital appointment on the 9th. I found out that the tumour I had removed was cancerous. There are a few types of thyroid cancer, I have papillary thyroid cancer, this is a really treatable type so that was a big relief for me. It's also actually more common in women aged 30-50, as I am 24 this doesn't seem too far off to make me more susceptible. My CT scan does now show any visible spreading of the cancer yet. I believe there is something like an 80% chance my fist operation to remove half my thyroid removed all the cancer. However, the CT scan will not show cancer at a cellular level and therefore I am going to have a second operation to remove the remaining half of my thyroid and possible iodine tray emend after that. Prior to COVID-19 I would have been on a waiting list for 1-2 months however now it's looking like 6months- a year. This is so all critical cancer patients can get life saving operations done. I think this is the correct system however it causes me to worry as if the cancer wasn't all removed in the first tumour operation  it now has possibly a year to spread. These are very sad and worrisome times, I am going to try and forget about it for now, which of course is easier said than done, and just think if the consultant was that worried about the spreading he wouldn't make me wait, and I'm sure he knows more than me! I hope you are all keeping safe and that this post helps some of you on your journey. X

Update 06/05/2020: I just got home after my 2nd thyroid operation. A couple of days ago I was offered an operation for 04/05/2020 to remove the remaining half of my thyroid. The operation went well. I had a drain in for a couple of days but that is now out and I'm feeling a lot better. The worst part about the operation this time was the tube that was down my throat cut my lip and tongue when coming back up and and now I have a fat lip! I'm feeling quite sore after this operation. I am not sure if this is because my first scar wasn't fully heeled or if this operation was a bit harder, I was in theatre for a bit longer. I have been sent home with 100mg of Levothyroxine to be reviewed in a month. My Calcium levels seemed normal in the hospital so I was not given any calcium tablets. I will get results of my operation in about a month and then it will be time to discuss iodine treatment. I'll keep updating this post as always!

Update 09/05/2020: I thought I would write a little about how I'm doing 6 days after surgery. I have noticed that I have had a more difficult time this time round. I think this a culmination of things. First, I have had surgery on my throat two times in as many months and I think this has made recovery more difficult. Second, I feel very emotional, I think this could be the related to the medication. My fiancé said my mood is like I am pregnant! I've been sleeping a lot, I feel exhausted most of the day. I've been sore on the neck but that's to be expected. I have quite a flemmy cough but it's getting better as my voice returns to normal. Last time my voice was normal within a day, now I notice it breaks often and isn't quite right yet. My GP called me yesterday to fill in a medical exemption certificate which was helpful and something that everyone should do if they have this surgery. Finally, after both my surgery's I became very constipated (sorry, but maybe you guys should plan for this), I would recommend getting a stool softener just incase! Any questions just ask! 
 

Update 28/05/2020: Hi guys, me again! Had a hospital appointment today. Good news for me! The cancer hadn't spread to the other half of my thyroid! Weirdly, in the operation the surgeon found another lump in my throat, they removed this and it has been tested. Thankfully that one came back as benign, but the surgeon said it's lucky they found it then or I would have needed another operation later when it grew!

So, now what? The cancerous tumour I had was in a capsule, which is really positive. Sadly the capsule had started to open and I think the surgeon said it was opening into the blood stream. So, I've been referred to the Radio Active Iodine (RAI) team to discuss this. Obviously there are some pros and cons to this treatment, I will be discussing this with the doctor before I make my decision. I will update you after my appointment! Stay safe all and here if you want to chat about my story or your story x

Update 14/05/2020: I had a hospital appointment last week on the 10th, I have a date for my radioactive iodine treatment (02/06/2020)! Not a huge wait at all and I'm very glad about that! The process is quite laborious, so on the 30th June I will have an injection in the morning, on the 1st July I have an injection and blood tests and spend the night in hospital, on the 2nd July I have the idodine tablet and then I will be in hospital for a couple of nights until my radiation levels decrease. Everything I take into hospital I have been told will have to go in the bin so I am currrently trying to find activities to keep me busy! I have a couple of books and some colouring! When I come home I have to stay 2m away from anyone else for 4 weeks!