That is an odd publish, however I figured I would share it anyway in case somebody goes by means of a thyroid situation and desires to see pictures of what to anticipate. Truthfully, it appears to be like worse than it’s. I used to be anticipating a scar, after all, however there have been another modifications, too.
Anyway, right here goes. Beginning with a few “earlier than” pictures, so you’ll be able to see the massive lump in my neck. At that time, I had no thought it was a mass. I believed it was an enlarged thyroid–something that I would recognized for 20 years. It bought a lot larger fairly shortly, although, which is why it wanted to be eliminated.
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| That is after I actually seen the dimensions enhance. I had been taking a photograph to do a Wednesday Weigh-In (which I by no means ended up doing) and was a bit of surprised to see my neck. (My neck was not the rationale I did not do the weigh in; I simply did not get round to writing it.) |
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| I used to be taking a pic of my earrings (simply to ask somebody a few smaller stud size) so you’ll be able to’t see my complete neck, however this actually exhibits the dimensions from what you’ll be able to see. |
After that is after I had the biopsy, which was terrible. You possibly can examine that on this publish.
It is a hematoma that shaped in the course of the biopsy. I felt like possibly I made an enormous mistake in doing the biopsy (though it was crucial)–my signs worsened and it regarded horrible. It was very painful, too.
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| A hematoma is principally a pocket full of blood. Since there is no such thing as a incision for the blood to get out, it swimming pools beneath. |
I did not understand how critical a hematoma in your neck is till after I bought house from the biopsy and it was getting even tougher to swallow. If it continues to bleed, it could possibly shut off your airway–so it is vital to go get checked out. They did not actually do a lot on the ER (and even my in a single day keep) however they stated it was good that I went in. If my airway closed, not less than I would be on the hospital.
The doctor assistant who did the biopsy informed me that I “might have a small bruise that may go away in a few days”. Nicely, right here is the timeline for my biopsy bruise… the bruise was there for 2 and a half weeks. The images make it look not that unhealthy, nevertheless it was very noticeable. I stored forgetting about it till I seen individuals taking a look at it whereas I used to be out in public.
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| Within the hospital after eradicating the bandage. The swelling had already gone down a noticeable quantity. |
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| Three days post-biopsy |
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| 5 days post-biopsy. The little dot is the place the needles have been inserted; I believe there may be one hole needle after which six smaller needles have been handed by means of that to gather samples. Or possibly I am simply making that up? I believe that is what I used to be informed. |
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| 9 days post-biopsy |
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| Eleven days post-biopsy |
In the meantime, I additionally had a CT scan and noticed simply how big the mass was. It was about 5-6 centimeters, which is taken into account very giant (even the surgeons have been sort of impressed on the dimension). It was urgent up in opposition to my esophagus (meals tube) and trachea (airway) and even my jugular vein and backbone. Because of this it was so onerous to swallow.
I even began to eat softer meals as a result of I would nearly choked a number of instances. My voice had modified (the voice field is *proper* there and I used to be informed there was an opportunity my voice would change completely after the surgical procedure (prompted from a complication). I actually would not have minded! I do not like my voice and I sort of favored the little bit of raspiness I would developed.
I believe the biopsy bruise was lastly gone after about two and a half weeks. Simply in time to get replaced by a scar! Hahaha. Fortunately, the biopsy got here again destructive for most cancers!
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| Twenty-four hours post-op. I used to be horrified after I noticed this. After eradicating the ACE bandage the next day, that is what it regarded like. The tape on there’s a Steri-strip and it meant to dissolve by itself. |
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| Simply one other angle at 24 hours post-op. |
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| The subsequent day, I felt prefer it simply bought worse. I used to be relived to have the ability to bathe, although! The adhesive on my neck collected lint and dirt and it appears to be like gross, I do know. Showering was scary; I used to be fearful I used to be going to open my incision or one thing. |
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| Twelve days post-op. There’s nonetheless some residual adhesive, however touching it gave me the heebie jeebies, so I did not scrub it. |
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| 13 days post-op. I used tweezers to softly decide away the residue from the Steri-strip, and I felt prefer it regarded so a lot better after that! |
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| Precisely one month later, which is about six weeks post-op. |
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| One other angle. With out tilting my head again, you’ll be able to see all of the unfastened and puckered pores and skin. I do not know if this can go away or not. It nearly feels just like the muscle tissue holding my neck pores and skin extra taut loosened up or one thing. |
The puckered pores and skin on my neck, together with the puckered pores and skin on my chin (which was from my jaw restore surgical procedures in 2010), my face is not trying too good today, hahaha. They are not hidden with clothes–even a turtle neck cannot cowl it up, so I simply need to be okay with it. The scar is not a problem for me, however I actually hate the unfastened pores and skin.
And as of this second, that is what my scar appears to be like like… not unhealthy in any respect!
The issue is that it solely appears to be like okay when I’ve my head tipped again. After I put my head down, it appears to be like like this…
I do not need it to discourage anybody from getting the surgical procedure in the event that they want it, however I additionally wish to be sincere about what to anticipate. No person ever talked about something about my pores and skin (apart from a scar) so I used to be not anticipating this in any respect. I do not know if it would get higher over time, however I do not think about it would.
Apart from all the thyroid stuff, not a lot has been happening. I am nonetheless not feeling higher mentally, however I observe up with my psychiatrist this month concerning the new remedy, so I may want the next dose.
I have not misplaced any weight, though I do begin day by day with the mindset of getting again on observe with not solely my food plan, however my life typically. I really feel overwhelmed; up to now behind on all the things. Together with electronic mail! If you’re ready for a response, I’m so sorry. I have been spending as little time on the pc as doable. I have been feeling actually nostalgic for the 90’s currently; I miss doing issues with out expertise in all places. So I have been engaged on that just lately.
And nonetheless stitching! I have been doing numerous hand-sewing and hand-quilting currently. My publish about latest initiatives is a few yr overdue now, hahaha. I simply haven’t got footage of issues, so I must take the time to take some footage.
Noah resides at house once more, and I like having a buddy right here! Eli would not hang around with me like he used to, however Noah has been enjoying Dr. Mario with me (the old-fashioned Nintendo one–I’m *superior* at it, haha), chatting with me about his day, asking me to look at motion pictures with him, present him the best way to prepare dinner issues, and so forth.
I have been engaged on redoing my bed room decor as properly. The infantile theme Jerry and I attempted out was enjoyable for a few years, however we have been prepared to maneuver on from the black partitions and ceiling! I’ve painted the ceiling white (and no, it wasn’t onerous to cowl the black–one coat of Kilz and two coats of Sherwin Williams paint) and the partitions a kind of medium-navy. They are not too darkish or too mild.
My colour inspiration really got here from a quilt I’m engaged on proper now (I swore I might *by no means * get into quilting, but right here I’m). I purchased a bunch of fats quarters (1 / 4 of a yard of material) on Ebay–they are civil warfare replica prints and I completely love how the colours go collectively. (I needed to put a security pin in every of the 806 squares to carry it collectively whereas quilting, which is why I’ve this unfold out on the ground!).Â
I’ve a number of extra issues to do to my room (together with ending this queen-size quilt!) after which I am going to publish footage. Rose (Noah’s “girlfriend”; they broke up nevertheless it was very amicable and they’re nonetheless shut mates) loves to brighten and she or he’s been serving to me with concepts. I am nonetheless leaving all of the cat cabinets up; the cats use them a lot that I am going to by no means be capable to take them down. Most of them are on the ceiling, although, so they do not hinder furnishings or something.
So that is the gist of what is going on on with me. As quickly as I am feeling higher, I’ll write a “actual” publish, I promise!
