So impressed with nhs but nervous about op

It's easy to let a bad past experience make you lose some of your trust in the NHS and to make you more nervous about the upcoming op. The good news is that even though you've got cancer (again), it's taken 22 years to make itself obvious so it's hopefully a little lazy lump that won't have got too lively in there.

I don't suppose much has changed about the process in those years - but hopefully, you'll get a more caring doctor this time around. It helps of course that you already know it's cancer and so do they. So none of that "oh, offhand, it's not benign. Oh is that the time? I must be off. Ta ra" which you got last time. 

Main differences from your original hemi? You might be in a bit longer. Typically completion thyroidectomies are 2 days in hospital if your calcium levels give no cause for concern. They can mean a longer stay if the calcium is off-whack or if your neck dissection (I really wish they had a new name for that - it sounds like doing frogs and hearts in school biology) is a bit more complex. 

You'll get thyroxine after the completion - you might even be on it already if your half thyroid needed a bit of help over the years. Just be aware that's to be taken with cold water 30-60 minutes before food or hot drinks. Hospitals have a habit of forgetting to tell you that. And if you do need calcium, give it 4 hours after thyroxine before you take it. There are a bunch of other things that don't mix well but if you have any of those, you can tell us and somebody will know if it's an issue. 

And at any point, you can come and ask anything. We don't know everything but we do know a lot. 

Thank you so much, I’ve been told I’m likely to be in 4 days, so guess it is a little tricky but you’re right dissection sounds dreadful, as if we’re not nervous enough already!! 

I’ve  been taking thyroxine since my last op, but you’re right no one ever says when to take it, luckily I think I’ve managed to take it with sufficient gaps from food and hot drinks. . I’ve been on 150mcg pretty much the whole time (except when pregnant with my 3rd son when they doubled the dose) but my levels had  changed when I went to Drs 6 weeks ago   so am currently alternating between 150 & 125, but realise that might change after the op. Thanks for the tip about timings with the calcium meds too, I don’t take anything else so if I need to take it I should be ok. 

Thanks for the chat, I know I’m in good hands, I just wish I could feel a bit less nervous, it doesn’t help that my  youngest is starting his GCSEs this week so trying to appear calm for him!  Off now to clean the house, work my nerves on that!!