I had a nodule that was 10.5cm, I think. Anyway, the tumour was 6.7cm and there was also some benign tissue or whatever.

In my case, it was cancerous, but I didn't have any of the problems you are having. I honestly didn't even know it was there until a doctor mentioned it. I can imagine not being able to breathe properly must be really scary.

I will tell you about my experience, in case it helps. I had my thyroid removed in January 2020, along with all the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck. I was in hospital for nearly a week, although I felt pretty much fine after a couple of days. My calcium levels did fall and I needed to take calcium supplements for a couple of months after the operation, but they returned to normal after that (mind you, it was the following June or something when I got them checked, because of coronavirus and GPs not taking routine appointments which "my doctor said they should normal and I am no longer having any symptoms but can you check my calcium levels just to be sure they've completely recovered?" kind of is.

I went back to work after a month and felt pretty much back to normal, except that my voice was a bit weak and I had some tingling in my neck. The latter is still true sometimes, but other than that, I'm fine.

I had radioiodine treatment the following May, as they found cancer in 8 lymph nodes and the tumour was so large. That's no big deal though, just kind of annoying as you have to isolate afterwards because you are radioactive. It didn't cause any discomfort or pain or anything though; it was just a matter of swallowing a capsule.

I now have to take medication every morning to make up for the fact I don't have a thyroid, but all that means is swallowing two pills.

Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Thank you so much for your reply and I am so glad to hear you are doing better now!
Thank you for sharing your experience!
If you do not mind me asking, how long did you have to wait before you could get the surgery done?
I am a little concerned with how long it is taking with processing my results, I wouldn't want the situation to get worse...

And what was your experience with the surgery and your voice? 
I have heard some very sad stories about people having permanent issues with their voice after the operation, which honestly scares me quite a bit

I don't mind you asking at all. Ask anything you like.

It was about two months after I got my diagnosis that my surgery was done, but this was in Ireland and private so probably different to your situation. It was probably 3-4 months after the doctor first noticed a nodule, but to be honest, the nodule had been there at least 4 or 5 years and even when it was diagnosed, the consultant's comment was that it wasn't going to do anything in the immediate future but psychologically, it was better to remove it quickly, so I didn't have to worry about it. Of course, your situation is a little different as it is causing you problems, which mine wasn't.

My voice is absolutely fine and was mostly OK the day after the operation. The issues I had were that it got kind of weak after I talked for a long time and that I couldn't really raise my voice too loud for...maybe 2 months after the operation. It is hard to know as these issues really only arose at work. I am a teacher and while my voice was fine for most normal situations the day after the operation, talking for a full class period tended to take a bit of a toll on it and calling across the yard - for example, telling students it was time to come in after break - was more than I could manage. Coronavirus hit in just over two months after the operation, so it was the following September before my voice was tested to that level again, by which point it was long since back to normal, so I don't really know exactly how long it was a bit weak for. Maybe three months?

Hi there, I am currently having the same symptoms and wondering how you are getting along. I am hoping you got your situation sorted and you are doing well. Any reply would be so much appreciated! Sabrina

How did it go in the end? Are you ok?

Hey Nivea, 

I noticed you were hoping to hear back from Mearn_.

Unfortunately they haven't returned to the forum since making their post back in September last year so there's a chance you may not get to find out what happened.

I really hope that won't be the case but if you don't receive a reply you're welcome to reach out to other members on more recent discussions about this topic or you can start your own. 

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator