Post Neck Dissection Surgery Advice

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Hi all,

I hope you are all well today.

To cut a long story short, this is my story so far;

Partial thyroidectomy 2012 (Papillary Thyca diagnosed)
Total thyroidectomy 2012 (left side vocal paralysis complications from this surgery)
RAI 2013
Recurrence surgery 2023 (following a very long watch and wait)
Left neck dissection & removal of nodual to right front trachea (5 days ago)

Having had four surgeries so far, I find I am struggling more this time round with much more swelling and pain. I know it is early days yet, but I was given exercise instructions before leaving hospital and I am finding it impossible to do any of them due to the swelling and stiffness in my neck. Sleeping upright propped up each night is also uncomfortable, I am just shattered.

The swelling is right over my collarbone that I can no longer see the bone structure. I am having lots of throbbing pain and find in certain positions I get pain that radiates from my neck to my ear, and to the side of my head, which is agony until I alter my position. I have never experienced any of this with the previous surgeries and was wondering if anyone else has had this?

Also, I was wondering if anyone could tell me how long after neck dissection they was able to return to work?

Any useful tips to a fast recovery would be much appreciated.

Thank you

latchbrook 17 days ago

Hi BlueButterfly83 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be. It certainly sounds like you've been through a great deal.

I’m Anne, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community and, although I'm not a member of this group, I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

I'm sure it won't be long before other group members pop on to share their experiences with you.

Wishing you all the best.

"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"

Izzy1984 3 days ago

Hi BlueButterfly83.

Although my story isn't very similar to yours if I can remember correctly I went back to work after 3 months, and then was off for few weeks after RAI. I wouldn't rush to go back, I went too soon, my body wasn't ready. Everyone is different, just listen to yourself.

You have posted 17 days ago, hopefully the pain and sleep improved by now. Triangle pillow is very good to get to a position you're comfortable in. The excersise advice: don't do them if you're not well enough. I know nurses always try to cheer us up to go out there, move on, etc but unfortunately sometimes that advice is just rubbish! Do it when you feel you can.

And when they told me to massage my scar, I wasn't able to touch that side of the neck for months! Not because of pain, but literally a mental block. I just found it disgusting, still not the best of feelings, but can touch it if I must.

Take care x

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