Too Much?
Some upfront info... On 10/26 I was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer that had spread to my lymph nodes. We went to my ENT, who noted that I’ll need to have a Total Thyroidectomy, and a “Left Neck Dissection” which is a fancy way to say that they removed all of my lymph nodes on my left side (oh, and it’s every bit as gruesome as it sounds!).
Well, I went into my initial visit in early October, and the nurse was wearing Packers scrubs (there’s probably a joke there, but I’ll leave that one for BarrNone to figure out). Anyhow, I immediately informed her I was a Vikings fan, and then apologized that her season was over courtesy of OUR defense. We then got into a discussion about how much she hated me because of what the Vikings did to her star QB (I actually like a nurse that will goof off with me... smart ass nurses are great), and informed me of the immense joy she would take numbing my nose for my inbound scope (oh boy, was that gross).
She THEN informed me that SHE would be the person removing my sutures post-op. I found all of this back and forth quite funny (as I’ve said, I find smart-ass nurses to be hilarious, and appreciate when they’ll trade barbs with me).
On 12/14 I had my neck dissection and total thyroidectomy. As someone that hasn’t had a surgery since I had a tonsilectomy in 1979, I can honestly say I’m good now with having a surgery. All good. I can check that off of the list, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to wake up with a slit throat again. Because it feels exactly like that... a slit throat. They got everything out, and next up is radioactive iodine treatment (a hermit’s life for me!). Oh, and btw... she is NOT going to be the gal removing my sutures, because... I don’t HAVE sutures! I’ve been Frankensteined and have staples (even cooler... True story, I asked the surgeon if he could put some bolts on either side of my neck, and he kinda chuckled to himself. I’ll count that as a victory for my humor). I was in the hospital from 12/14 through Monday, 12/18 at noon.
A couple things:
- After going that long without a shower, I think I nearly passed out from euphoria from my first shower encounter. No lie... It was that amazing.
- Drainage tubes... or JPs... Wow. Just wow. Nothing in the history of the world has ever been so vile, or unnatural. I get that they serve a great purpose, but boy were they gross...
- My incision... Holy hell... it’s hard core. It’s from the base of my clavicle, just left of center, over, and up behind my jaw. DAMN if I had a tougher looking disposition I’d look like a bad ass!
- I was in my hospital bed watching the Vikings game on Hulu TV... wow, the power of streaming media. Made me freaking day. Made my day even more to be watching the game and occassionally check into chat. Great times!
- Narcotics... Dude. I’m only on Tylenol, and thank goodness for that. They had me on Norco, which I immediately nixed after getting 1 hour of sleep on night 1, then moved me to percocet, which was equally evil. I have never been a guy to take a ton of medicine, and have never done drugs, and now I know why. I’ve got a sensitive system, and that stuff does not sit well with me. Happy to be just dealing with pain, and taking a Tylenol as needed.
So I ask... Too much?
Also, any other ways to scheme, and annoy my nurse?
Your nurse was wearing Scott Hunter?
Your treatment sounds very similar to the ones I've had for NET tumors, so...were bros! Hopefully all your post op follow ups go well and you're all good from here on out.
Staples are awesome...had them a couple times...make sure you take some pain meds before hand unless you're into pain.
@"BarrNone55" said: Your nurse was wearing Scott Hunter?Your treatment sounds very similar to the ones I've had for NET tumors, so...were bros! Hopefully all your post op follow ups go well and you're all good from here on out.
Staples are awesome...had them a couple times...make sure you take some pain meds before hand unless you're into pain.
So... Some of my Staples are actually slightly loose... SO gross!
The weirdest thing ever is that I have no feeling on the under side if my jaw. I can feel pressure, but no pain. So that will help with the removal for sure. It's going to make shaving fun going forward...
BTW... What are NET tumors?
@"kmillard" said: Really wishing you the best in your recovery.
Thanks a ton. I'll take every well wish I can! I will say that I feel exponentially better every day. Night 1 at home, I couldn't sleep on my side (For a side sleeper to sleep on his back is an awful thing...). Last night, I slept on my side, and felt way better. Neck tightness is going away too.
Sending positive and healing vibes Clanzo. I think the shirt and beanie are a nice touch but why not go all in with pants and jacket too.
Damn dude... you seem to be taking this extremely well. Are you and Zimmer brothers? Couple of BAMF's separated at birth? LOL
I think you should wear the shirts as well. Seems like you both were giving it pretty good so I'm sure she'll laugh.
Best of luck in your recovery, my man!!! Heal well and take care.
BOOM
I don't have any great ideas. I just want to wish you well because DAMN, you're pretty tough.
Geez Clanzo, I think you have the right attitude for a full recovery. Thanks for sharing your scary-as-hell and laugh-in-the-face-of-danger adventure in medicine. Best of luck and please, brother, keep us posted on your progress.
Thank you all for the well wishes. I'm thinking of picking up some purple sweats from Target to complete the ensemble.
If you haven't, check out Radioactive Iodine Treatment. That's next. I'll likely be very active during that time (you have to be sequestered from human contact because you're radioactive).
I may start a Check Your Neck reminder going forward. If you feel like something is off, or out of place, get to a pro to evaluate it. My Wife noticed a lump in my neck when I was changing, and in a weird twist, I actually asked her to set an appointment for me. Normally I'd ignore it. I thought it was a goiter (just a lovely name... I'm starting a national petition to change "Goiter" to "Neck Butterfly," and I'd even settle for "Quatto"). Turned it it was one of the three lymph nodes that had cancer, and were Walnut sized.
Got to the doc and less than 2 months later, I was opened up. Pretty nuts stuff. I realize the severity and how lucky I am, but being positive and having a sense of humor is really the only way I can cope with things.
I really appreciate all of the positivity!
BTW... It turns out that having your throat slit feels exactly as you might expect... Like your throat has been slit! Gross, I know!
Clanzo way to stay positive and glad you are feeling better. Keep us informed and maybe by her a viking tissue box to cry in since her season will soon be over.
Wow man great attitude and that’s really important when battling cancer. Very happy it’s going well for you and at the same time sorry that you have to go thru this. Give the packer nurse all the good natured crap you can... she deserves it. :p Fiesty nurses rule. =)
My Mom had a Dr Page remove her colon cancer and the first thing she said to him when he introduced himself was something like... Oh he was my favorite player on the Vikings.
Best of luck dude, I’ll be sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.
Hey Clanzo, I had no idea you were going through this! I'm so glad that it sounds like things are heading in the right direction for you. I too know the feeling of the slit throat, as I had the right half of my thyroid removed in March. I had a pretty good sized nodule but mine turned out to be noncancerous. I had been experiencing a swallowing issue for literally 2 years or more. I figured it was a globus sensation from my acid reflux and just ignored it. Finally it got to the point where I felt like I had a big old glob stuck in my throat and it was driving me crazy. Turned out I had this nodule. I was lucky as I said because mine wasn't cancerous and I only had to stay in the hospital overnight. The slit throat gets tight, no doubt! I did "neck stretches" a lot to get the muscles loosened up again and now several months later I feel like it is back to normal in that regard. Obviously though you have a much, MUCH MUCH bigger and nastier incision than I have--mine is probably about 3 inches long in total.
I continue to have the glob feeling, however. It isn't as bad as it was but I still have it. I can actually pop my hyoid bone back and forth. I have had a CT scan and an MRI and yet there's no answer to the glob feeling.
You have my very best wishes Clanzo! I will keep you in my prayers!!
Jesucristo Clanzo!
Wishing you a speedy recovery man...
@"prairieghost" said: Hey Clanzo, I had no idea you were going through this! I'm so glad that it sounds like things are heading in the right direction for you. I too know the feeling of the slit throat, as I had the right half of my thyroid removed in March. I had a pretty good sized nodule but mine turned out to be noncancerous. I had been experiencing a swallowing issue for literally 2 years or more. I figured it was a globus sensation from my acid reflux and just ignored it. Finally it got to the point where I felt like I had a big old glob stuck in my throat and it was driving me crazy. Turned out I had this nodule. I was lucky as I said because mine wasn't cancerous and I only had to stay in the hospital overnight. The slit throat gets tight, no doubt! I did "neck stretches" a lot to get the muscles loosened up again and now several months later I feel like it is back to normal in that regard. Obviously though you have a much, MUCH MUCH bigger and nastier incision than I have--mine is probably about 3 inches long in total. I continue to have the glob feeling, however. It isn't as bad as it was but I still have it. I can actually pop my hyoid bone back and forth. I have had a CT scan and an MRI and yet there's no answer to the glob feeling. You have my very best wishes Clanzo! I will keep you in my prayers!!
Wow! I was thinking someone had to have surgery this. It's actually fairly common (Thyroidectomy). The neck dissection isn't as common.
How long was your neck tight for? That's a wild sensation. I'm certain part of it it's just tension and stress of stretching the incision, but I'm turning my head more and more each day.
Also, it's weird to have the swollen feeling in your throat. Lots of new sensations...
My wife just measured, and the incision is 8" - 9". Geez.
BTW... If you have a nurse in your life, thank them for me. Amazing people with a special gift.
Yikes! Glad you're OK and could keep laughing through it. And yes, wear the shirt and the beanie!
Clanzo, Good luck and a fully and speedy recovery!
As I recall you VikeFans name is a mash up of you kids names, right? Holding them in my prayers tonight (along with yourself) as well. It’s tough on everyone in the family. Sounds like you are a strong guy though. You got this!
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