Question for nurses or others about thyroid

[WCisBS]

I need some information if any of you will help me.
I have a SIL who has to have her thyroid taken out. She has had many test and from what she has told me is that there are a lot of dark spots on it and you can feel the lump in the area of the throat. She lives out of town and I haven't seen her.
How serious could this be for her and what could she be in for as far as living afterwards? I imagine she could lose her voice or ability to talk...right? She has been a heavy smoker all of her live and she is about 50 now. I hope she isn't ate up with cancer. I know nothing about thyroids. Any information about this would be most appreciated....good or BAD.

WCisBS
  

[Tuffy]

WCis bs, I have hyperthyroid ( Graves Disease ) Had radiation therpy to kill my thyroid, s It did most of the job, still have some thyroid tissue left, then after RAD went Hypothyroid ( under active ) I now take a thyroid med which I will be on for the rest of my life. There are many good sites on the web for researching Thyroid diseases and forums also. There is always the chance with surgery that they coul nick the Vocal cords, but it does not happen frequently. I would suggest asking the sergon how many of these surgerys has he performed?. after surgery she will be monitored with blood tests and placed on a thyroid med which will be taken forever!. It is no picnic, a smoker , after having thyroid surgery or RAD is prone to develope TED ( Thyroid eye disease )

I did some never do and others like myself will, This is something Drs don,t often tell the patient,about TED. There will be constant blood tests to monitor thyroid function the rest of her life and her neds adjusted according to her labs. A good Endocronaligest is a must . Hope this helps, Tuffy

[Guest]

I wish your sister the best of luck with her surgery. Hopefully, it will go smoothly for her and she can recover as pain free as possible.

[punk]

Thoughts and prayers for your sister WC. Tuffy is right...she'll be monitored very closely for the rest of her life and on meds. They will adjust meds according to lab values and such. I've helped a few patients after thyroid surgery...the main this is to be careful that they not nick the vocal cords. If that is done she could loose her voice or part of it. At the least it would be changed. Also, they'll be looking at bleeding in the immediate post operative period....like with any other surgery. An endocronologist is an absolute must....this isn't something to be taken lightly and therefore requires the services of an expert! I'm sure she'll do fine if she's in otherwise good health. It seems that there's more and more thyroid disease out there than there was say 15-20 years ago, don't know why, but there is. Which is a good thing, I suppose if you look at it this way, because that means all Dr. are having to be aware of signs, syptoms and treatments that are available when treating for any other issue the patient may have. The thyroid can do some heavy damage if not treated properly! LOL It's one of those little tiny systems that are fine when they aren't messing up, but let me tell you....when they mess up...they do it right!! I think that was the toughes subject in nursing school for me!! Endocronology.....sucked, but I made it and now have a whole lot of respect for it!!! LOL
Good luck...I'm sure all will be fine but sending thoughts and prayers anyway!!!

PS: Love your avatar!!! Is that you now or years ago? LOL
(Kidding)

[WCisBS]

Thanks to both of you for your helpful information. I will have a talk with her this evening and pass this information on to her. She is sooo scared that she is going to die it isn't funny. I have looked up some on the internet and it pretty much says the same as you have told me. Tuffy I hope you are doing well and I'm sorry you had to go through this.

Punk I am so happy with my new teeth. Now I can have a smiley face like the others here.

[Spring]

WC..My Mom had her thyroid taken out many years ago (30?). Due to growth. And was told she would be on medications for it for life. She did take the medications for many years and did have all the blood work and just out of the blue the blood work started showing normal fuction. She hasn't had to take the medication for I am guessing about 15 years. The body sure does funny things. She did fine with the surgery...no voice problems or anything. She does have a huge scar across her throat. But I'm sure they have improved the surgery since those days. I wish your sister the best. Spring

[Babebahn]

My thoughts & prayers to your sister. Your friend will be monitored for the rest of her life. Maybe consider doing some research on hyperthyroidism.




Babebahn...("Tongues don't have erasers!"

[Pooh]

Remember those that have their thyroid remove will become hypothyroid - so that is also something to research as tuffy mentioned. There are symptoms that come with that such as fatigue, hair loss, etc.

Good fun things ....... but things to watch for if her meds arent working right.

Meds should be taken same time each day on an empty stomach - morning before breakfast if probably the best

This will help keep the thyroid meds at a even level hopefully.

I just had my first 3 month blood work done for hypothryroidism and ready to go back to PCP for referral to endo. so now comes the fun stuff with more blood work etc I am sure. Main concern was getting the med into the blood stream and getting some of the symptoms under control first.

[WCisBS]

Update after speaking with sis in law.

She lives 2 1/2 hours in a small town from the hospital where the surgery is to be done. The doctor told her that (because of insurance) he will keep her 23 hours for observation and then have to send her home. Say what?????? Basically cutting her throat from ear to ear taking out her thyroid and kicking her out of the hospital.....all I can say is WOW! The doctor also said that she will only have to be off work for 10 days.

If there is any cancer like they think there is, she will have to go through chemotherapy and radiation. This sounds like a work comp claim but it isn't.

Thanks for everyones help and opinions.

WCisBS

[Pooh]

WCisBS

There are alot of IC that are cutting back on costs by limiting the amount of time that one can spend in the hospital. So basically they are doing this surgery on an out patient basis it sounds like.

Now on the other hand - if there are any complications at all - all it takes is the doctor calling the IC and saying we need to admit the patient and since she is there at the hospital and they have to admit them (or should) because of the liability that the IC could face if they don't allow the patient to be admitted in mu opinion.

My health insurance has similar restictions for some surgical procedures so the amount of time that I can be in the hospital, but at the same time if complications they can not deny admittance.