Nodes.
Well, not quite. But about three months ago, I came home from work feeling icky. My roommate commented that my neck looked swollen. I checked in the mirror and I found a nice big lump near the base of my neck. That lump threw me into a series of terrifying events involving blood work, an ultrasound, a fine needle biopsy, and countless exams.
Finally, an ENT pulled me into her office to explain that I have a Thyroid Nodule in my neck that is about the size of a marble (2.5cm round for you medical nerds). While the biopsy came back as OKAY, apparently the tissue in my nodule is a mixture of solid/fluid tissue. This is concerning to doctors because it has the potential to become cancerous and cannot be identified until removed and picked apart by a pathologist. This doctor cold-heartedly told me in a matter of seconds that I needed surgery.
What. Okay guys I'm literally the biggest medical chicken. All the needlework was nearly enough to throw me over the edge...and now I need surgery? C'mon body!!!!
So, I went to get a "second opinion" especially because I wasn't so sure about getting this thing taken out right before my wedding....
The next surgeon told me almost the same thing but with a lot more feeling and a later surgery date which is... tomorrow. Yeah okay I'm freaking out and attempting to avoid thinking- like by making myself a giant pan of brownies.
In case you're still interested, here is what is going to happen:
Thyroid Lobectomy:
Surgery in the hospital performed under general anesthesia
Lasts about 1-4 hours with a week recovery time
The half of my thyroid with the nodule on it will be removed
Nodule sent to pathology for analysis
If cancerous: other half of thyroid removed
If not: done!!!
I'm praying that it's just the half but through multiple prayers I know that whatever happens I am going to be okay. I have actually felt a calm, which is weird for me. At this point I'm mostly ready to get rid of this lump in my throat-feeling and whatever other side-affects I've been experiencing.
Anyways if it crosses your mind at all send some prayers my way. I'll update you all as soon as I'm not trippin on pain-meds.
<33 Amanda
Finally, an ENT pulled me into her office to explain that I have a Thyroid Nodule in my neck that is about the size of a marble (2.5cm round for you medical nerds). While the biopsy came back as OKAY, apparently the tissue in my nodule is a mixture of solid/fluid tissue. This is concerning to doctors because it has the potential to become cancerous and cannot be identified until removed and picked apart by a pathologist. This doctor cold-heartedly told me in a matter of seconds that I needed surgery.
What. Okay guys I'm literally the biggest medical chicken. All the needlework was nearly enough to throw me over the edge...and now I need surgery? C'mon body!!!!
So, I went to get a "second opinion" especially because I wasn't so sure about getting this thing taken out right before my wedding....
The next surgeon told me almost the same thing but with a lot more feeling and a later surgery date which is... tomorrow. Yeah okay I'm freaking out and attempting to avoid thinking- like by making myself a giant pan of brownies.
In case you're still interested, here is what is going to happen:
Thyroid Lobectomy:
Surgery in the hospital performed under general anesthesia
Lasts about 1-4 hours with a week recovery time
The half of my thyroid with the nodule on it will be removed
Nodule sent to pathology for analysis
If cancerous: other half of thyroid removed
If not: done!!!
I'm praying that it's just the half but through multiple prayers I know that whatever happens I am going to be okay. I have actually felt a calm, which is weird for me. At this point I'm mostly ready to get rid of this lump in my throat-feeling and whatever other side-affects I've been experiencing.
Anyways if it crosses your mind at all send some prayers my way. I'll update you all as soon as I'm not trippin on pain-meds.
<33 Amanda
We will definitely keep you in our prayers! Keep us updated, okay?
ReplyDeleteAlways in my prayers and in my heart!!!! Love you.
ReplyDelete