Papillary thyroid cancer and lymph nodes

Hi Mollyb

you can read my story in my profile. I am now two years post surgery and have recovered really well. Due a check up in May. Thyroidectomy posed no problems at all. Meds work fine and you will be well checked throughout and post treatment. RAI went fine and no problems with that.  do get tired more easily but apart from that I’m glad to say feeling great. The neck dissection and lymph node removal was a bit trickier for me as I still have slight swelling where the nodes were removed but nothing too major. Small price to pay for the excellent treatment I received. I think a positive mental attitude most definitely helps throughout your journey. Let us know how it all goes and I wish you the best x

Hi Mollyb and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you find yourself here at such a young age. I have medullary thyroid cancer which is treated a bit differently, so my neck dissection experience probably wont be so helpful but I'm sure more with PTC will pop on soon to share theirs. I have found though that there are quite a few of us on here coping with fatigue post op, so don't underestimate that and just listen to your body and rest when you need to. I've found that quite frustrating as I was very active before. This could be while they get the thyroxine right, it isn't always as simple as it seemed! We are all so different it varies from person to person and it seems to be a bit of trial and error. Alot of people are lucky though and it comes right quite quickly and they are fine, fingers crossed that's the case for you. You need to be pro-active with your blood tests ongoing to check your TSH, T3 T4 levels, usually tested every 6-8 weeks. Mine have all been done by my consultant's team and my specialist nurse has been fantastic with answering any queries, so if you have any questions make sure you ask your team.

There are other young people on here with thyroid cancer so hopefully they will reply too, unistudent2002, Abbey01, Pinkbluepurple spring to mind but I don't know if they had neck dissections aswell as TT or how active they are on the forum.

Last but certainly not least Macmillan have many useful resources and offer mental health help. Again just be aware how having a cancer diagnosis can affect your mental health, you are so young I'm sure you will bounce back but know that they offer free counselling sessions if you do want it. I've actually found this forum my best help, just to be in touch with others that are going through cancer treatment or have been through what I was and could share truthfully how it went was invaluable and you can speak without fear of distressing your family and friends!

I hope your op goes well, do let us know how you're getting on and no question is silly so just ask away x

Hi Molly. Sorry to hear you are going through this. I’m 52 so much older than you but I too am having a TT, bilateral and central neck dissection on 2/4. I can’t give you any advice I’m afraid but will be thinking of you on the 27th.