I had a near total thyroidectomy in July 2010 after being diagnosed with Grave's Disease (hyperthyroidism). Before that diagnosis was made I was have rapid heart rate and taking a shower would have my heart pounding. I saw my cardiologist and they were all set to do a procedure on me to slow my heart rate down. It was by chance that I had a follow up due with my endocrinologist since the year before they had noticed that I had thyroid nodules and they were biopsied and no cancer was found. My TSH, T3 and T4 were all normal. She ran another test and this time it showed that I was not a little hyperthyroid, but had extreme hyperthyroidism. So surgery was decided to be the best move. They usually leave a little thyroid behind when this surgery is performed. Unfortunately, the pathology came back that I had cancer. The surgeon was not happy that the cancer was not found before hand during the biopsy, otherwise a total thyroidectomy would have been performed. I went through radiation iodine therapy. This is where you take a radioactive pill and then are in isolation from 3 to 7 days depending on the strength of RAI. I was in isolation in my bedroom for 4 days. Went through numerous full body scans to see if the cancer spread and it showed it had not spread. Thyroid cancer is one of the more treatable cancers, but can spread usually to your lymph nodes, lungs and colon.
After the thyroidectomy in 2010 I went from being extremely hyperthyroid to being extremely hypothyroid. I gained 30 lbs. in just over 3 weeks. I have worked in the medical field as a medical transriptionist, secretary and main job as a hospital biller and coder. I knew about people gaining weight from hypothyroidism, but I never dreamed that I could gain weight like that in such a short period of time. I was shocked and depressed. Normal TSH runs approximately from .5 to 4.5. My TSH was 44! I was put on the thyroid hormone Levothyroxine. Started at a fairly high dose, but my TSH was taking forever to drop. Just before this last surgery my dosage was 237.5 MCG, which is pretty damn high. My TSH finally dropped to 9, so it still was not normal.
To ensure that there wasn't any cancer left and in the hopes that removing the remaining thyroid, I would be able to get my thyroid levels under control. In April of this year I started to feel bad. Diabetes runs in my family and working in the medical field I know the signs. I bought a diabetic meter and my blood sugar was 339. Turns out that being hypothyroid can trigger or cause diabetes. Many people don't understand that having a thyroid disorder means that you have an immune system disorder. It wreaks havoc on all your body's systems. So I was put on Metformin to control my blood sugar and I haven't had anything sweet since April. That sucks, but I take it damn seriously. I lost my father to diabetes and CHF, my uncle, and I have cousins who have had diabetes since they were teenagers. I also lost one of my dearest friends who was diagnosed when she was 16 and by the time she was in her mid 30's she needed a kidney transplant. I flew out to Montana in May of 1995 to visit her and it was wonderful. In October that year she got the word that a kidney was available and she flew to Seattle, WA for the procedure. All seemed well and I sent her a birthday card for her 37th birthday on December 12, 1995. On December 15th I was heading out for the Christmas party at our medical center when I got a phone call from her sister saying that 2 weeks before Lori had a seizure and started to reject the kidney. She slipped into a coma and died 3 days after her birthday. It was heartbreaking.
So, this last surgery. I was more nervous about this surgery then any of the previous 26 (which range from minor to major-last two were total knee replacements), I think because the big C (cancer) was the result from the last surgery. All seemed to go fine and I was scheduled to stay overnight at the hospital. They had a very tough time finding my veins to put in the IV lines. Ended up putting one in the inside of my wrist (after failing in both my hands) and the other in the crook of my arm. Was given Heparin shots to dissolve blood clots if they occur, the pain killer Dilaudid, and injected antibiotics into my IV. I had a reaction to the Dilaudid. When they put it into my IV line my ears immediately filled with pressure and I itched all over my body. I told them this and they gave me liquid Benadryl. Even after that they gave it to me again! I asked for more Benadryl, but I couldn't have any more until 6 hours had passed.....ironically, I could have the pain med every 4 hours. How crazy is that?!?
One week after the surgery I have developed pain on the inside of my elbow and up the inside of my arm. Very, very sore. Not warm to the touch. Not hard. But, my veins are very prominent. I was bruised from the IV sites, but ironically I don't hurt in those areas. So, I called my surgeons office, and was told to take aspiring and use warm compresses. I was still concerned and on Saturday I went to see the doctor on call at my family physician's office. Dr. Land told me that I have an infection and he put me on high dose of Amoxicillin 875mg twice a day and to continue the aspirin and warm compresses. It is still sore and I will see my regular family doctor tomorrow. I know that veins can be damaged and phlebitis can occur. Sometimes ultrasounds are ordered to see if there are blood clots. Needless to say that I am not happy.
So wish me luck, send me some prayers or any good vibes that you might have my way that there is nothing serious with the arm pain and that my pathology report when it comes back that there is no cancer. I would appreciate it very much.
Nothing is ever simple in life. Sometimes you are along for the ride, but you fight. I have learned that whenever I am in doubt about something it is better to just make sure and cover my bases. You do what you have to do for yourself and your loved ones.
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