Partly diagnosed

Hi

sorry to read your news, I’m currently waiting for some results myself. I had the right side of my thyroid removed on the 7/1/20 the operation was fine and I was home the next day I did struggle with physical symptoms such as tiredness, my neck was very tender and still is now. I would suggest getting help with the kids for the first two weeks as I wasn’t allowed to lift my 2 year old for 2 weeks which was a struggle my other 2 are 8 and 6 so understood quite well what was happening as for explaining to your children I can’t really help with that I wish you all the best for the op x

emz 

Hey there Italiangirl,

Welcome to the forum, though I'm sorry you need to be here too.

The operation is fine. You go in when you're told to be there, probably starving, then you hang around and wait for your slot. You get changed into a gown, and then you're taken down to the theatre and given the anaesthetic. Next thing you know, you're awake and it's done. You'll be on some painkillers when you wake, so you shouldn't be feeling any pain - I was fine on paracetemol and ibuprofen, but everyone has different pain thresholds, so if you feel like you need some more painkillers then don't feel afraid to ask. You'll have a scratchy throat from being intubated, and you'll probably find you'll have a cough. Totally normal, just cough the gunk up from your lungs and keep your fluid levels up.

Different hospitals and surgeons will close your wound up in different ways and use different bandages, so I couldn't say what will be going on with your neck, but don't freak out the first time you see it. It'll look a mess and there might be pen marks, iodine, and dried blood around it. After you're allowed your first shower, it'll look SO much better, honest!

So, once you're home you're going to be knackered, and you're going to tire easily. So make sure that you can sit down for a good 15 mins every couple of hours and support your head when you do so that your neck can rest. Also, build a slope in your bed so that you can recline to sleep on your back rather than flat out, it'll be much more commfortable and you'll sleep better. So if you're the cook in the house, I'd def advise doing some batch cooking and freezing it before the op so you just need to defrost and reheat, alternatively, ready meals. You won't be able to drive or pick the kids up for a couple of weeks, so think about that and make any arrangements you need to. The same goes for your work, I'm presuming there's lifting of patients involved in your job? If so, you'll need a minimum of 2 weeks off to make sure things are fully healed. Beyond that, it really depends on how you heal and how you feel. Oh yes, and do take paracetemol and ibuprofen - if you're able to - regularly for the first week. Don't wait for the pain to come on and then take it, as then it doesn't work as well. After that first week you can evaluate and see how you're doing and if you still need to pain killers.

I think those are the key points you need to know. But please do shout if you've any other questions at all and we'll try and help!

Lass

xx

Thank you so much! I had my pee assessment letter through today and all of a sudden i feel scared, worried and anxious. like its actually real now. 

I shall make sure i start batch cooking now ready for when the time comes. Although my husband does cook but he will be busy with the kids and looking after me lol. 

Yes my work is very heavy, no light duties there. And at the moment full of aggressive people so will be taking extra time off. 

I never even thought what my neck would look like after! Been too busy thinking about everything and everyone else! So thank you so much! 

We shall also stack up on paracetamol. 

Thank you so much for your help. 

Xx

I have got children, but they were 12 when I had my operation. I didn’t let them visit the evening of my operation, personally I didn’t want to scare them. I was in for 2 nights and they came the second day.

One thing which I found very helpful was online shopping. It saved my husband having to do it, and once delivered to the kitchen I could unpack it. I didn’t feel very hungry afterwards, and enjoyed eating easy food like soup and rice puddings. Batch cooking will make th8ngs much easier.

All the best x

That was the other thing I meant to do! Lol

https://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/s-201-children-and-young-people.aspx

That link will take you to the Macmillan booklets on talking to children and young people about you having cancer. You can either order them if you want a physical copy, or you can download them to read. It's lots of tips and advice about how to talk to kids about what's going on.

Personally, and I don't have children, I'd just say something like 'Mummy's not very well, but the doctors know what it is and how to fix it. So I'll need the bad bit taken away in hospital, and then I'll get better'. Keep it simple and positive for them, especially at that age. But def have a read of the booklets and see what they say.

Stock up on ibuprofen too, if you can take it, as I'd say it's more important than the paracetemol! lol

Lass

xx

Hi, mummy of two small kids ( baby and toddler) I've already had my first operation and awaiting my next. I would first ask your surgeon when you can lift your kids again I'm still not allowed to lift mine he has advised 6 weeks and I will stick to it because I still can't fully turn my neck or drive yet due to swell along my collar bone though I am back to work. Everyone is different so don't put pressure on yourself to fit other people's moulds. I sat down and explained to my toddler the I would get a cut and it might look scary ( first week mine had Frankenstein staples- 4 wks post and it looks brilliant already). I did warn her I couldn't pick her up but thankfully she remembered from my csection so took that we'll on the day of the op I sent her a picture of the arrow on my neck and me smiling before surgery so she wasn't worried. She already has been told I will have a matching cut on the other side and is prepared for round two. Good luck and just be honest to your little one before the surgery, your oncology nurse can help break the news to kids as well. Good luck for your surgery, after day 3 you'll be feeling like new.

I had a hemithyroidectomy in mid-January 2020. Although the surgeon told me that pain is minimal afterwards and recovery usually fairly quick, I have a REALLY low pain threshold so was quite worried. I am also a super-anxious person which I know doesn't help when it comes to managing pain!

He was quite right though. Apart from the first couple of hours after I woke up (I was given pain relief intravenously for that, which worked really quickly) there was almost no pain. I took paracetamol on days 1 and 2 but nothing after that. And after 3 or 4 days I felt almost normal (and a bit guilty for not being at work!). 

An itchy wound (ice packs helped) and a bit of a dip in my mood after about 5 days were the "worst" I experienced so I was very pleasantly surprised. If I need the other half of my thyroid removed, which is a possibility, I don't think I'll worry at all. 

You may already have had your op. If so, do hope all went well. 

Hello, this is very good to know and glad you're feeling good :) I had my pre assessment today, and they've now found a heart mermer so i have to wait for a heart scan then i can have my operation. More waiting. been such a nervous wreck! I just want the operation now so i can hopefully stop feeling so nervous. xx

Yes the waiting is very tough!

Good luck with your heart scan. I felt the exact same waiting for my first op, totally think it's the though of your neck being cut ( my brain beforehand made it way worse than reality )hopefully they can scan you quickly xx