Hello

Hi . Can I offer you a warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community? I’m sorry to read about your diagnosis but I’m glad you’ve found us.

My cancer is different, but a cancer diagnosis of any kind makes us ask lots of questions, causes confusion, stress and probably emotions we’ve never experienced before. To be able to talk to other people who are in the same situation will help you get through this. 

The Macmillan Community is organised into dedicated support hubs. You’ve joined our Thyroid cancer group, this will be a good place to meet up with others making the same type of cancer journey. I'm sure someone will be along soon to answer your questions. I hope all goes well with your operation and you make a speedy recovery.

It’s always helpful to others if you write a little something (or a lot) about yourself and your journey to date. You can enter it into your profile (click on your username and select “Profile”) It’s helpful to other members with a similar diagnosis who can then hopefully answer your questions. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. You can amend or update it at any time. 

The Macmillan Support Services also provide lots of information, support, financial guidance or just someone to listen.

Most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

Sending you welcoming hugs B xx

Hi Sophie Lou

I had the same surgery in 2014, I was in hospital fir ten days. If you have staples dont let the look of it worry you, it settles down quickly enough. I was back to work in around ten weeks because the thyroxine I was given at first did not suit me. Once I was on Levothyroxine I was good.

Please do the neck excercises that physio will give you, it is very important.

I met a little Shrilankan doctor who told me if I wanted to get better I had to get out of bed and make myself better so I started excercising that day, I am sure it got me through it.

If you are happy with your own company RIA is easy. I went bright red like sunburn but that faded very quickly other than that I never had any problems. You probably wont have it for a few months after the operation. I was operated on in August and had the RIA in November.

Give yourself time and be kind to yourself, it's tough. Dont worry about the scarring, I was given something to put on the scar. Mine just looks like another wrinkle now.

Let me know how you get on?