Hello

Hi Gil

sorry to hear you having such extreme issues with your calcium.

I have papillary thyroid cancer, diagnosed after a selective neck dissection 6 weeks ago. A thyroid nodule and enlarged lymph node in my neck were picked up at an mri scan for something completely different (which was fine!). but all the scans, tests and fna biopsies were inconclusive, so the only way to get a decent biopsy and diagnosis was surgery.

It is a rare cancer, but I do know someone that was diagnosed last year after finding a neck lump, whereas I never felt anything abnormal. It was my daughter’s boytbrorhet at 32 years old.

I am having a total thyroidectomy next Monday, 21st at St John’s Hospital in Livingstone, Scotland. I am in the Scottish Borders, and that is the specialist ent centre for South of Scotland.

Didn’t find the neck dissection painful at all, tight and felt very strange tho! Still have a bit numbness but decreasing .

The head and neck cancer nurse suggested joining The Butterfly Cancer Trust , which I did- their cad is very good. I have also joined a thyroid cancer Facebook page, where people share their experiences.

Hope this helos

Avril

Hi Avril

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I wish you all the best for next Monday. You will be in good hands and I hope everything goes well with you post surgery. 
The waiting is not easy always. I hope you are able to keep busy. Thanks so much the the recommendations, I will check them out. 
Best wishes 

Hi Gil

where are you being treated? Don’t know what I am going to do to keep busy this week- trying not to have unnecessary contacts with people in case I get Covid! 
have already tidied and cleaned the house and done some decorating. Keep thinking I have come through this since July, only another week! 
It is difficult not really knowing anyone else with the condition/- I haven’t followed the ‘normal’ path at all- everyone else seems to have found a neck lump.

Luckily, I have a great family all fairly close by. Hard not to see the grandchildren this week as they are all within a mile of me.Shall have to ask them to save up some very gentle cuddles for next week

Hi again 

It sounds like you’ve been very busy and productive. It is definitely best to stay safe this week prior to the op and presumably your pre op covid test. 
I’m in Lancashire and one of the hardest things was that there were no visitors allowed on our ward - understandable but it does make it even harder. 
It’s good that your family are close by for afterwards.

How long were you in for? Had my pre op assessment today and was told I would just be in overnight if everything was straightforward. Same ward as I was in for neck dissection so will be good to have some familiar faces around.

My husband went to Dunelm to buy a V pillow for me post op whilst I was at assessment. Not sure what visiting rules will be like next week as Covid numbers are rising fast. 

I ended up being in for  five days due to my calcium levels. 

The V cushions are brilliant for afterwards. 

I have started using mine already!

so many people seem to develop calcium issues- parathyroids seem to be very sensitive. .Just have to wait and hope mine are ok! Hoping to be discharged day following op as we are farming and start lambing on 25th. Don’t expect I’ll be doing much this year- usually in sheep shed 10h+ per day , but it is a 2h round trip to hospital for visiting, which would be a lot for my husband after a long day