u/BinaThereDoneThat

Firstly, huge thanks to everyone in this community who has responded to past posts. I can't tell you how helpful you have all been and I truly appreciate it.

Surgery is coming up next week and I'm trying to best prepare for it. A few questions:

- any tips on key things to take to the hospital?

- was travelling home by car painful (speed bumps etc) - have the option to also go by train which involves some walking but less jolty overall?

- how to sleep? I have an orthopedic cervical neck pillow - useful or not?

- how do you get in and out of bed? I have been log rolling for some time as I've just had C-section

- what food were you best able to tolerate?

- breastfeeding: for any mamas who had new babies around the time of surgery, could you still breastfeed? Did you express or feed as normal and if so in what position?

- when were you able to start physio/exercise again? What kind was most helpful to get back on your feet?

- anything you didn't think of or was a surprise that you wish you had known beforehand?

Context: having a partial thyroidectomy (right lobe) + Isthmectomy + removal of 5-6 central lymph nodes + removal of an incidental thyroglossal duct cyst

Two past ultrasounds have indicated a single gallstone around 5mm. A scan one year ago showed a stone of 5.5mm and some tiny nodules which looked like polyps (around 2mm). Fast forward to this week (1.5 years later) and there's apparently no stone but a 7mm polyp.

What is happening here - seems implausible that both the stone disappeared AND the polyp grew 5mm over that time. Surely?

Should I ask for a rescan? Radiologist didn't ask me to move around to see if it moved. I have the ultrasound images from last scan.

Far far more worried about a polyp that a stone! Should I be?

I don't have gallbladder attacks. Just a dull ache now and then after fatty meals, alcohol or being dehydrated.

Two past ultrasounds have indicated a single gallstone around 5mm. A scan one year ago showed a stone of 5.5mm and some tiny nodules which looked like polyps (around 2mm). Fast forward to this week (1.5 years later) and there's apparently no stone but a 7mm polyp.

What is happening here - seems implausible that both the stone disappeared AND the polyp grew 5mm over that time. Surely?

Should I ask for a rescan? Radiologist didn't ask me to move around to see if it moved. I have the ultrasound images from last scan.

Far far more worried about a polyp that a stone! Should I be?

I don't have gallbladder attacks. Just a dull ache now and then after fatty meals, alcohol or being dehydrated.

Two past ultrasounds have indicated a single gallstone around 5mm. A scan one year ago showed a stone of 5.5mm and some tiny nodules which looked like polyps (around 2mm). Fast forward to this week (1.5 years later) and there's apparently no stone but a 7mm polyp.

What is happening here - seems implausible that both the stone disappeared AND the polyp grew 5mm over that time. Surely?

Should I ask for a rescan? Radiologist didn't ask me to move around to see if it moved. I have the ultrasound images from last scan.

Far far more worried about a polyp that a stone! Should I be?

I don't have gallbladder attacks. Just a dull ache now and then after fatty meals, alcohol or being dehydrated.

Not sure if this post makes sense! my mind is a bit of a jumble.

Waiting on partial thyroidectomy surgery (single.1.5cm nodule on Right lobe) in a couple of weeks. This wait is agonising. I'm not sure if I am spiralling or things will genuinely always be different from this diagnosis onwards. My mind jumps between thinking this is treatable with a good prognosis to how life changing this can be - especially if I need hormonal supplements which a lot of people seem to struggle with, or even just the knowing that you have had the big C.

Maybe I'm being dramatic (genuinely interested if you think I am - I can be prone to a bit of catastrophic thinking) but I feel like my life just two weeks ago before this diagnosis was a different life. Like there was a before and after.

I'm not certain if this makes sense - can others relate? It doesn't seem to make sense to those not directly experiencing this.

I've read some really depressing posts about people's quality of life after TT. I feel good, healthy, happy, balanced right now. My levels are perfect. But apparently I have ThyCa and need a partial. I'm so angry and so upset. And so worried (in addition to the diagnosis obviously) that I'm going to lose my sense of self/energy because of this. I have young children, like to stay active, have a busy job - will I still be able to keep up. And it's all happening 3 months postpartum too when hormones are all over the place.

What have others experiences been here. If you struggled what did you do to get back on track? Any advice for what to do if I feel dreadful?

Newly diagnosed and I have surgery coming up in a couple of weeks. I'm really anxious about spread. Really hoping this is a one and done surgery.

I am wondering about lung metastasis. I ask because I have had some strange sensations in my lungs/chest recently. Like a burny, tight feeling with the odd prickling sensation. This did only come on during pregnancy/after C-section 2 months ago/post COVID (and we have lots of bugs in the house thanks to toddler). I also have a history of reflux. Also lots of stress/anxiety these past few months which could be cause. But after diagnosis I'm just so aware of it.

I desperately want this to be a straightforward thing that is resolved quickly and not a drawn out fight. Everyone says luck/statistics are on my side but I can't help but think of what happens if they're not.

1.5cm solitary nodule with PTC, scan shows slight node enlargement but it clearly stated that it is NOT obviously pathological. Scheduled for partial thyroidectomy and central neck dissection (to look at central lymph nodes as apparently that is where it would spread to first - if it has).

I'm reading lots here about it being found in lymph nodes. My surgeon seems to think it's low risk and no obvious signs of lymph nodes involvement but they are taking ten central ones as a precaution. How likely is it that something would be found in those? And if they do find something, what happens then?

Partial thyroidectomy scheduled. How likely is it that that will just deal with the problem? How likely is it that this will spread? Am I going to be looking over my shoulder indefinitely? I'm terrified.

Trying to understand what recovery is likely to look like. I have two small children - youngest is just 8 weeks. I'm default parent. I honestly have no idea how this is going to work and I'm super stressed (on top of the general worry about surgery and the reason for it!).

Worried about the impact on mood and energy levels. Will I need meds or will remaining thyroid tissue produce what's needed?

I'm wondering what good practice is here? Partial TT being scheduled for a solitary 1.5cm nodule on the right and they're talking about taking right AND doing a central compartment lymph node dissection. Is this standard practice? Presumably to assess spread? I've think I've read others saying they had lymph nodes biopsied first?

AI is not proving very reliable! Any trustworthy sources on this? Talking about ultrasound grading.

Just had an unexpected FNA for a 1.5cm nodule classed as indeterminate. Worried and not sure what to expect. if you got a benign/low risk diagnosis, what happened next?

Summary from spinal MRI: There is a very shallow non-compressive left postero-lateral focal disc protrusion at L4/L5. This has a subtle annular fissure. There does not appear to be any associated foraminal narrowing or neural impingement.

I would describe the pain as irritation, that worsens over time with movement. Improves with rest. What prompted the MRI was increasing pain at this site, coupled with numbness and chills in legs (particularly left leg) when sitting. Pain and symptoms have improved over last few days by lying down, wearing a back brace on standing/walking, and limiting sitting.

I'd love some advice from those in the know on how bad this is, how long the recovery is likely to take, and any other tips!

Not sure what I'm dealing with here and want to heal it/avoid making it worse!

Thank you in advance!