Well......the doctor just called.....

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

....and he wants to remove my thyroid.

I've been battling this "nodule" on my thyroid for the last couple of years. He's had me on medication that was supposed to shrink it, but instead it keeps getting bigger. They've done skinny needle biopsies and they have always come back negative for cancer - whew!

But the last couple months it's actually been bothering me whereas before I never even knew it was there. It's getting to the point where sometimes I choke on my food - Terry is always on the ready to do the Heimlich maneuver on me, and my boss is also looking at different/cheaper insurance. My insurance right now is through the IBEW (electrical union) and it's the absolute best insurance I've ever had in my life! So, all these factors taken into consideration, I asked the doc if he'd do surgery now - to make me feel better, to eliminate the choking and to keep my portion of the cost down.

He reviewed my file and said with the history of the lump, the surgery would have to be done someday anyway because it's not responding to the medication, so might as well be now! He will remove the entire right thyroid and part of the left. I guess there's a small nodule on the left one, but it's not anywhere near as bad as the right side. They'll preserve the para-thyroids and I'll have to take medication for the rest of my life - which I would have to do anyway.

Ok, ok, I know I asked for it, but now that he agreed, it's sinking in....what have I gotten myself into?

He said it would probably be sometime in November - I'm hoping for the week of Thanksgiving - and I will go in early the morning of surgery and have to spend the night.

The phone rang while I was typing this. It was Terry and if I think I'm at this decision, he is 10 times worse! He's such a worrier....but at least it'll get his mind off the hydraulic leak in the motorhome.

Anyway....I guess this has been in the works for the last couple of years, and the time has come.....

[Ally Cat's Mommy]

Gosh Debbie - what a scarey decision to have to make (even although the insurance situation does make it a logical choice).

If it's any consolation, a dear friend of mine had the same surgery, and it was a great success. Her only regret was not doing it sooner.

She also had some special tape and cream to apply to the operation site, to minimise scarring - has your doc made any recommendations with regards to this?

(((HUGS)))

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Is right!
I have no advice to give since I'm still hanging on to my gallbladder that probably should have come out years ago.
But will be offering lots of prayers for you and Terry too, when you go through the surgery.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Terry ... He's such a worrier ...

It's *nice* to have a Worry-ier on your Team!!

Relax - an let Terry and the rest of us do the Worryin!

Kinda a strange way to get out of cookin a Turkey ...
but whatever!

TRY Hard not to fret about it ... We'll start Talkin to God!

{{{HUGS}}}

[lizbud]

Wow. I don't know anyone else who's had that surgery.How long is
your recuperation time for this surgery? I do hope all goes well for you
and this cures the problem.


ps. Are you all still having a leak in the new motor home?

[Freckles]

My left thyroid had a lump and was removed about two years ago with no complications. The scar is right at the crease in the neck so it doesn't show much. Mine is hard to see now. Some Dr.'s call it day surgery, but mine had me stay overnight which worked the best for me. Any other questions?

[slick]

I've just sent you an email Debbie.

{{{hugs}}}

[Craftlady]

Sounds like your doctor has a good plan. I would feel better staying overnight after surgery. So many times the surgeries are done and they shove you out the door half out of it. Insurance plays a big factor they dont like paying for anything considered extra's. By the way, good way of getting out of cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

[RICHARD]

He's such a worrier....but at least it'll get his mind off the hydraulic leak in the motorhome.

That is not a fair statement!!!

If my SO started to leak hydraulic fluid I would be worried...

Liz,

LOLOLOL,
That's why the BR is in a motorhome, to take care of the leaks.

--------------------------------

Compared to a few years ago, it's a fairly routine surgery.

2 week of recoup time, paid.

The toughtest part is knowing how long to milk the attention during recovery.

[finn's mom]

wow, that is pretty scary! I'm sure you will pull through with no problems, though, and, be so glad that you did it when all is said and done. it's so good that you're getting it taken care of, though, good for you! keep us posted, and, good luck...

[beeniesmom]

Hi, I'm so sorry that you have to have surgery. If it makes you feel better, my mom in law had the same surgery about 6 months ago and she is doing great. You can't even see a scar or anything and she recovered very quickly. I hope you go through this as easy as she did.

[luvofallhorses]

that IS scary. My thoughts and prayers are with you. ((((HUGS)))

[Laura's Babies]

Regina (my son Eddie's wife) HAD thyroid cancer and they took it out. She said the worst part of the whole orderal was the recovery.. (Because of) Eddies nursing skills were not the greatest and he would ask her if she wanted something to eat, she say "yes" and he would bring her a piece of cake or a piece of pie... That was "food" to him and he couldn't understand what was wrong with it, why was she complaning? It didn't sound that bad if that was all she was left to complaine about from the whole ordeal.

[K9karen]

So sorry to hear you have to have Sirjury, Deb, but it sounds like it's for the best at this point. Sounds like you have a very trustworthy doctor. No surgery is fun but I also have a friend who had her thyroid removed and she's fine. The best part, if there is one, is "milking" it to the max! I'm wishing you the best and prayers for a speedy recovery!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Debbie, I'm sorry to hear that you're going to need surgery but I'm sure that everything will go well and then you won't have to worry about this later on down the road. I also hope that you'll have a speedy recovery too. You can make Terry wait on you and you'll have also have your two fuzzy nurses to help comfort you. Please continue to keep us updated and please take care.