Hi, Ruby in Reno here, letting everyone know that it has been one month since the thyroidectomy and I feel 150% better. All thyroid tissue with the exception of a minute amount left to protect the laryngeal nerve, was removed. My calcium levels were low shortly after surgery and I was sent home with instructions to take 1500 mg of calcium 4 times each day. After labs at the 3 week mark I was instructed to reduce to 3 times per day. I have hopes for continued improvment, if not, yeah for tums! I was started with 0.112 mg synthroid, but felt it was too much and was allowed to cut in half and work my way up. My endo will most likely wait for labs after I have been on the full dose for awhile, I am fortunate that he prefers to treat "symptoms" and "numbers". A curious note, he insists that I melt the synthroid tablet under my tongue, and then of course, all the usual restrictions that all doctors/pharmasist say, ie, on empty tummy, no food for 30 minutes and 4 hours away from antacids and calcium, ect…
My scar looks great, I actually went to have a calcium lab drawn and the lab tech recognized my surgeon’s handiwork. I had 2 weeks off from my job, and the first week back I was very tired at the end of the day, but it wasn’t that utter exhaustion that I felt prior to surgey. I feel that the cob webs have been cleared from my brain, though, I am still having a little trouble remembering long mental lists. So if I really need something from the store, I write it down. I have not started exercising yet, too much company and traveling for me to start a new routine. Over the three years of trying for remission with methimazole, I have gained 45 pounds. I have lost 5 and I am sure it was mostly fluid because my face and fingers are not so puffy, I can actually slide my wedding band off my finger without tugging. I feel the rest of the weight gain will come off when I start exercising. It is so nice to have a resting pulse in the 60’s and low 70’s. Prior to surgery my morning blood sugar was averaging 123 and now it averages 99. And the joy of having a normal bowel movement–laugh if you want, but if you have graves you KNOW what I am talking about. Why did I wait 3 years after diagnosis to have surgery? I, personally waited so long because I was just stubborn and uneducated about my illness. I just "knew" I would go into remission…and, for me, it was just a wish. I was sure that eating a better diet would stop the antibodies in their tracks and that did not happen either. I tried all sorts of vitamins and supplements held on to the power of positive thinking, hoping for remission and I continued to feel crazy. The day I drove home from work thinking my car should just go thru the guardrail was the day I knew I could not try for remission any longer… I needed to get off the rollercoaster. I was not suicidal by any means, just that angry that I couldn’t stop those crazy feelings and emotions, I am still astounded that I could make it through my work days. But, my job of waiting on customers and answering numerous phone lines kept me from dwelling on things. Then the ride home came and all the emotions I had been shoving back all day, would come undone. I find it interesting that I haven’t had a single craving for alcohol since having surgery. Everyone has to handle their treatment in the way that feels best to them. I personally had to make a decision, and then turn it over to a higher power, and just "know without a doubt" that if it was the wrong decision, it would not come to pass. I am at peace with things now. Thanks for listening and sharing all your insight over the past couple of years that helped me get to here today.
and go see my endo on the 15th. He put me on PTU the day after the RAI. I think that’s helped me "keep my cool" while all this is going on. I do think I’m starting to feel better and that’s the best feeling. I’ll post more after my labs and drs visit.
” title=”Smile” />
