[Gabe]

#1179601

Hi all. Thanks for all the well wishes. Here goes….
Process at hospital was very smooth. By far the worse part of the actual pre-op stuff was the IVs. It took them 4 attempts to find a vein and by the third time I was very anxious. I hate needles. Then they gave me something and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery.

First memory…horrible sore throat, begging for something to drink. Back to my private room and then they allow me to sip. Heavenly but it hurt. Still on IV so they gave me one IV shot of pain killer. Felt great. Ate a big dinner since I was starving…turkey, gravy, stuffing, broccoli, applesauce, graham crackers. No problems swallowing.

Woke up morning of second day feeling pretty good. Ate a big breakfast. That morning they give me my first 50 mcg of Levothyroxine and a pain pill (Vicodin). Discharged around 11:00. Home, settled, and then around 3:00 I’m not feeling so good. Pop a few pain pills and rest. Slept ok first night at home.

For reference I have a very low threshold for pain so don’t go by my need for pain meds since I’m a big baby with pain! Also anesthesiologist gave me two doses of anti nausea medication in the IV so absolutely no issues with nausea.

Today feeling better than yesterday but woke up with jaw, shoulders, and neck muscles very sore. Took two more pain pills and slept most of afternoon. Feeling good enough now to log on here, read the Sunday paper, and ate dinner.

Surprises: 1) that I can eat almost anything, although swallowing isn’t easy, it’s not bad enough to keep me from eating. 2) that I’m so sore all over. 3) not much bruising around surgical site, expected a bigger cut.

So far, so good!
Karen

[karenz516]

#1179602

Karen, so good to hear from you and glad that you are doing well!!!

Karen

[amosmcd]

#1179603

Hi, Karen!

I’m so glad things went well! Swallowing will get better soon. I’m glad you were able to eat and had no nausea–YAY!!

I worked in the yard yesterday and today loaded up a bunch of stuff for 2 trips to the dump. I had plenty of energy, and it’s just been 5 weeks. So there actually is life after TT!

Take care and rest up. Thanks for sharing your journey!

Amy

[Stymie]

#1179604

Glad you’re doing so well!!

Speedy recovery and big hugs!!

Keep us posted in how you’re doing.

Diane

[Kimberly]

#1179605

@Karen – Thanks for the update…great news that all went well!

@Amy – Happy to hear that you are doing so well just 5 weeks out!

[CycleColo2013]

#1179606

Yipee Karen!!!!!!! So glad it went well!!!!

[snelsen]

#1179607

Karen! Yay!
You will do well. You might be surprised about how tired you feel. It creeps up on ya! But goes away.
Soon you, too, will be working in the yard, and taking bags of stuff to the dump! Then you’ll know you are well!
Shirley

[Gabe]

#1179608

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement! Today I feel pretty good. Got a shower, cleaned up around the house, did a few loads of wash, and then took a 2 hour nap. I agree with you all about feeling tired but I’m sure this will pass with time.

I took a beta blocker yesterday since my heart rate was a little elevated (115) even resting. My BP was 126/96 (didn’t like that bottom number). Today I’m not having any ‘heart’ issues

Totally stopped the Vicodin. That is nasty stuff…really messed my stomach up and it generally scares me. Took nothing today except the 50 mcgs of Levothyroxine.

Scar area looks good. Just a few steri strips about 2-1/2 inches long. Still generally sore to touch. Neck, back, and jaw muscles still a little sore.

Now if my levels get straightened out fairly quickly and the mental/emotional GD symptoms go away, this will be a success. So far, I’m pleased with the physical aspects of healing from the TT. The rest remains to be seen…

Cheers!
Karen

[bigad]

#1179609

Hi Karen,

Glad you’re doing well. I see we’re fairly close (I’m in Philly)…I might have to use your Doc if I ever decide to get a TT.

With regard to the risks of a TT- are the percentages normally low with your Doc? Any issues with your parathyroid glands? Voice okay?

Thanks,
James

[Gabe]

#1179610

@James. My surgeon does over 300 TT’s annually and has not had a surgical error. One of the things I learned in the “Treatment Options” paper that Kimberly keeps posted in the Announcements section is that you want a ‘high volume’ surgeon who does no less than 30 annually and preferably over 100. Volume has a direct correlation to complications. When I mentioned his name locally to other medical professionals they all said he’s the best. Since we are now allowed to mention doctor names on this forum, his name is Raafat Abdel-Misih. I hear he’s not far from retiring and has become an excellent teaching surgeon. Yet he does his own surgeries and does not allow his residents to perform for him.

There were zero issues with my parathyroid glands. My calcium started climbing up by the first post-op blood test (about 8 hours after surgery) and continued to climb. Other than the sore throat from the anesthesia tube, my voice is exactly the same. Zero issues.

Caveat…everyone is different as we all know. Not trying to sound like a salesperson for TT’s. just sharing my experience. We all choose what’s best for each of us…

Cheers,

Karen

[bigad]

#1179611

Thanks for the info. Karen! I hope he doesn’t retire before I may need him…lol.

[Gabe]

#1179612

Hi all, update one week post surgery. Things are going very well. Energy is up, able to do most anything except rotate head and heavy lifting. Steri-strips still in place and surgical area is fine – no swelling or bruising or signs of infection. The tired feeling is starting to dissipate somewhat. Have not had any OTC or other pain meds at all since last Sunday.

My post check with the surgeon is 6/17 and I expect to be released back to work. Already getting antsy and will probably start checking emails this weekend. My follow up appt with Endo is 6/25 so I’m curious to see what the labs says and what adjustments he’ll make to Levothyroxine (starting at 50 mcg) I did take one Metoprolol earlier this week since my heart rate was high. None since.

So portions of my goals are being met. I’m off two meds (methimazole and metoprolol) and not missing their side effects. I still take a Xanex before bed to help with sleep, which was an issue for me before GD since I’m menopausal. My goal is to get off that also…baby steps.

My current struggle/anxiety: finding the mental/emotional balance between the anticipation and fear of what it will be like if/when I go hypo while Levo is being regulated WITH the opposite thought of yay I’m feeling great this fixed everything. Two extremes. I’m trying to find the logical, realistic middle ground. And trying to be patient, not easy for me!

Peace, love, and happiness!
Karen

[Boomer]

#1179613

Good morning Karen!

What a pleasure it is to read your good news first thing in the morning. You sound fantastic!

By the sounds of it things couldn’t have gone much better for you. VERY encouraging indeed.

Take your time wiht the Xanax – best to taper off sloooooowly over time. Challenging? Sure. Doable? You bet! As you said: Baby steps. For some guidelines/infor for quitting benzos, written by a doctor, do some research on “The Ashton Manual”. It has helped many people ease their way off benzos gently.

Thanks for the update- can’t get enough of that feelin’ better stuff!

Peace and health to you and yours,

Boomer

[Talley]

#1179614

Hi Karen;
Sitting in our apartment (rental) in Florence and had some time to kill before our favorite restaurant opens (not until 8pm!), and read your tt journey…so glad to hear how we’ll it went – I have mine the Tuesday after we return from Italy.

Curious, did you purchase any additional dressings for your incision? Anything I should have on-hand when I get home? – besides Popsicles:)

Do you cover the incision when outside?

Thanks so much for posting your journey!
Talley

[amosmcd]

#1179615

Hi Karen–

I’m so glad to hear your recovery is going well! I hear you about the anxiety with the “what-ifs”. It’s frustrating to have to wait to see what the final result of the TT is. I’m going to be glad to be on vacation in a couple weeks to take my mind off it for a while.

Seeing my endo and surgeon post-op made me feel a lot better. I’m sure seeing your endo next time and getting new labs will help with anxiety.

Take care,
Amy

[Author]

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