Last week Dr. Lee, the endocrine surgeon, drew this handy diagram of my thyroid, showing the thyroid cancer, the nearby nerves and windpipe, and the four parathyroid glands. And she listed the possible things to do about it (fig. 1, pink labels added).
Then Monday this week I met with the endocrinologist, Dr. Law. He and Dr. Lee concluded that the cancer was small and self-contained enough that it was safe to just take out the lobe with the cancer and leave the other lobe to go on producing thyroid hormone for me.
So yesterday, Thursday, I had to be at the hospital at 9 am for the surgery. Next to the hospital there is a beautiful fall goldenrod & aster meadow (fig. 3). I was a little early so I took the left lobe of my thyroid on a last walk of its life (fig. 2).
Then I walked in the hospital and had the surgery, which went fine though Dr. Lee had to “autotransplant” my upper left parathyroid gland, which apparently is common becuase the four parathyroid glands (fig. 1), which regulate calcium balance, are delicately nested in the thyroid.
After the surgery I had to stay 6 hours to make sure I wasn’t internally bleeding , which felt like a long time. Strangely I didn’t have a book or my computer so after my phone battery ran low I watched Ellen and Dr. Phil which was jarring. I went home at about 6 pm. My throat and neck hurt and I didn’t sleep well, but I am OK. Next they check the pathology of the part they removed, and assuming that looks ok I wait to see if my thyroid gland makes enough thyroid hormone, which is what it should do.
Amazed you’re up and writing so soon post-surgery. All bodes well. Hope you have a speedy recovery from any discomfort!
Love the picture of you and your left lobe taking a walk. Hoping nothing more needs to be done honey. Gotta go I am with my 4 day old grandson. Absolute bliss. Thank you for keeping us updated Saskya. May you get a long stretch of nothing starting now. Love Marcia
I love this image as well.
Glad to hear that things went relatively smoothly. And your left lobe’s final day was a beautiful one.
Tillykke on being done with the surgery! So, you are missing one of the parathyroids? Interesting. Glad you didn’t have to lose the entire thyroid. I do love your short hair.
Good to know all went well, Saskya. Hoping for the best at the next check-up. Take care.
Thanks Pranav. The outcome of the thyroid surgery is very good. There is little risk of more cancer, and minimal follow up.
Sending love, Saskya! I heard your voice as I read your blog. You are reminding me to get my thyroid checked. Joyce
Yes, I agree, get your thyroid checked Joyce!
Wow, you have been through a lot with this stuff. Hope this is the end of your problems. Thanks for your sense of humor through it (eg, taking your left lobe for its last walk). I hope this opens up travel to India again soon.
There is something fantastical about the fact that we can get parts cut out of our body, or replaces, and still function. We are still gathering momentum for going to India
Hi Saskya,
I’m glad you had a successful surgery ? The part about the possible internal bleeding was scary to read. I hope you have a nice recovery and won’t need another operation.
Take care,
Tim
Thank you Tim. The outcome of the thyroid surgery is very good. There is little risk of more cancer, and minimal follow up.
Hi Saskya,
Great to read that the surgery went well and that the prognoses are good, we are really happy for you.
Arend & Ellen
Thanks Aren and co. The outcome of the thyroid surgery is very good. There is little risk of more cancer, and minimal follow up.
Saskya, thanks for taking us on your journey, and I love that you took your left lobe for a walk through goldenrod and aster to say goodbye. Let us know next steps when you know and have the urge to post again. LOVE
Thanks Micah.
If you want to see Dr. Lee’s drawing better, I found one way. Click and drag it to your desktop. Then open it from there. Then blow it up with whatever photo viewer you use. Doing that you can see the parathyroid glands that were mostly left behind. And the cancer. The stuff Saskya marked in pink but which this www site doesn’t let you see well.
Besides bieng very gad it went well, I’m in pressed with your writing.
love
D
Thanks. I have never tried writing anything like a blog. It is more fun than I expected.
What a looong neck Dr Lee drew on you! Otherwise it seems they are fast and skilled at the hospital, like you, soon! Thanks for the update, I have been thinking of you the whole week, wondering when you will be operated. Let’s hope and believe that it’s all behind you now!
You are right. Maybe Dr. Lee played with Barbie dolls too much as a kid, so she thinks people have very long necks. Or maybe she wanted to reassure me that the surgery wasn’t anywhere near my vocal cords so she stretched everything out.
Saskya, thanks for your detailed update, so glad the surgery went well. I hope all of your health issues are very dull, insignificant and boring from now on. Hope to see you soon.
I am definitely hoping that there will be nothing more with respect to my health that is worth writing about for a long time, or ever.
Hi there,
I have been thinking of you. I am grateful that your surgery went well and it was small and self-contained so you only had to relive the lobe with the cancer.
Love, Patria
Thanks Patria
Hi Saskya – Good to hear that everything went well, and I trust you are recovering quickly. With best wishes – Manoj
Thanks, Manoj. The outcome of the thyroid surgery is very good. There is little risk of more cancer, and minimal follow up.
I just caught up on all your updates. Wow, thankful for modern medicine. While I would much rather read about your move to the Inland Pacific Northwest (my new home), I guess the exotic tales of your move to India will be something to look forward to. Heal up. Be well.
Yes, I am very thankful, with for modern medicine, and also medical insurance.
A move to the Pacific north west would be nice, as I imagine yours had been. Maybe after India…
Oh man! So challenging. Holding you in the Light, Saskya!!! Thank you for sharing!!!