Thursday, May 27, 2010

A Cut-Throat Business

Eighteen months ago I had two total knee replacement surgeries, and now, much too soon, I am facing another surgery, on June 7. A thyroidectomy has become necessary since the diagnosis of toxic multinodular goiter. My thyroid is toxic, apparently, because nodules of varying sizes (the largest being 15.8mm) have developed there, and they're each doing their own thing which is very confusing to the rest of the gland, so it just says "What's the use?" and stops trying. I am told, however, that it's a minor blip on the radar screen. This is now considered same-day surgery, so I won't be in the hospital very long, and I'll have a sore throat for a few days, but within a couple of weeks I should be back up to speed. That's good; I've got stuff to do and miles to go before I sleep. A needle biopsy revealed no malignancy, but that's to be expected in 95% of these cases. I kind of like singing in the church choir, and I hope I can still carry a tune and sing alto when this is over. If I've become basso profundo, however – looking on the bright side – I can sit next to Roger.

3 comments:

Jennifer said...

Should be simple & routine, so let's hope it is and that everything goes smoothly. It'll be nothing like the shock-to-the-system of knee replacements. So just have some water bottles on hand, and maybe some soup, and in a couple of days you'll be back to normal. Fingers crossed!

mindy said...

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers. I had a bit of a thyroid scare last year after Leif was born, and I read more on thyroid stuff than I ever wanted to. ((hugs)) and a speedy recovery!

Mary said...

I've been thinking about you this week. How did the surgery go? Is your voice too sore to talk, or are you feeling okay? I guess this is the perfect time for reading. That's the one thing I like when I'm sick: I have an excuse to lay around all day and catch up on some books.