Thyroid Picture Timeline (and transient catch-up)
That is an odd submit, however I figured I would share it anyway in case somebody goes by means of a thyroid challenge 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, in fact, however there have been another adjustments, too.
Anyway, right here goes. Beginning with a few “earlier than” pictures, so you may see the massive lump in my neck. At that time, I had no concept it was a mass. I believed it was an enlarged thyroid–something that I would identified for 20 years. It bought a lot larger fairly rapidly, although, which is why it wanted to be eliminated.
| That is once I actually seen the scale 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 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.) |
| I used to be taking a pic of my earrings (simply to ask somebody a couple of smaller stud size) so you may’t see my complete neck, however this actually reveals the scale from what you may see. |
After that is once I had the biopsy, which was terrible. You may examine that on this submit.
This can be a hematoma that shaped in the course of the biopsy. I felt like perhaps I made an enormous mistake in doing the biopsy (though it was mandatory)–my signs worsened and it appeared horrible. It was very painful, too.
| A hematoma is mainly a pocket full of blood. Since there isn’t any incision for the blood to get out, it swimming pools beneath. |
I did not understand how severe 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 actually 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, no less than I would be on the hospital.
The doctor assistant who did the biopsy instructed me that I “might have a small bruise that can go away in a few days”. Effectively, right here is the timeline for my biopsy bruise… the bruise was there for 2 and a half weeks. The photographs make it look not that dangerous, but it surely was very noticeable. I stored forgetting about it till I seen individuals it whereas I used to be out in public.
| Within the hospital after eradicating the bandage. The swelling had already gone down a noticeable quantity. |
| Three days post-biopsy |
| 5 days post-biopsy. The little dot is the place the needles had been inserted; I believe there’s one hole needle after which six smaller needles had been handed by means of that to gather samples. Or perhaps I am simply making that up? I believe that is what I used to be instructed. |
| 9 days post-biopsy |
| Eleven days post-biopsy |
In the meantime, I additionally had a CT scan and noticed simply how enormous the mass was. It was about 5-6 centimeters, which is taken into account very massive (even the surgeons had been sort of impressed on the measurement). It was urgent up in opposition to my esophagus (meals tube) and trachea (airway) and even my jugular vein and backbone. For this reason it was so arduous to swallow.
I even began to eat softer meals as a result of I would nearly choked a couple of instances. My voice had modified (the voice field is *proper* there and I used to be instructed there was an opportunity my voice would change completely after the surgical procedure (brought about 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 adverse for most cancers!
| Twenty-four hours post-op. I used to be horrified once I noticed this. After eradicating the ACE bandage the next day, that is what it appeared like. The tape on there’s a Steri-strip and it meant to dissolve by itself. |
| Simply one other angle at 24 hours post-op. |
| 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 apprehensive I used to be going to open my incision or one thing. |
| Twelve days post-op. There’s nonetheless some residual adhesive, however touching it gave me the heebie jeebies, so I did not scrub it. |
| 13 days post-op. I used tweezers to softly decide away the residue from the Steri-strip, and I felt prefer it appeared so significantly better after that! |
| Precisely one month later, which is about six weeks post-op. |
| One other angle. With out tilting my head again, you may see all of the unfastened and puckered pores and skin. I do not know if it will go away or not. It nearly feels just like the muscle tissues 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 nowadays, hahaha. They are not hidden with clothes–even a turtle neck cannot cowl it up, so I simply should be okay with it. The scar is not a difficulty 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 dangerous in any respect!
The issue is that it solely appears to be like okay when I’ve my head tipped again. Once 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 trustworthy about what to anticipate. No person ever talked about something about my pores and skin (aside from a scar) so I used to be not anticipating this in any respect. I do not know if it’ll get higher over time, however I do not think about it’ll.
Aside from the entire thyroid stuff, not a lot has been occurring. I am nonetheless not feeling higher mentally, however I comply with up with my psychiatrist this month concerning the new treatment, 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 weight loss program, however my life typically. I really feel overwhelmed; to this point behind on every part. Together with electronic mail! In case you are ready for a response, I’m so sorry. I have been spending as little time on the pc as attainable. I have been feeling actually nostalgic for the 90’s these days; I miss doing issues with out expertise in every single place. So I have been engaged on that lately.
And nonetheless stitching! I have been doing plenty of hand-sewing and hand-quilting these days. My submit about current tasks is a couple of yr overdue now, hahaha. I simply do not have photos of issues, so I must take the time to take some photos.
Noah resides at house once more, and I like having a buddy right here! Eli does not hang around with me like he used to, however Noah has been taking part in 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 films with him, present him cook 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 had been prepared to maneuver on from the black partitions and ceiling! I’ve painted the ceiling white (and no, it wasn’t arduous to cowl the black–one coat of Kilz and two coats of Sherwin Williams paint) and the partitions a form of medium-navy. They are not too darkish or too mild.
My shade inspiration truly 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 conflict 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!).
I’ve a couple of extra issues to do to my room (together with ending this queen-size quilt!) after which I will submit photos. Rose (Noah’s “girlfriend”; they broke up but it surely was very amicable and they’re nonetheless shut mates) loves to embellish and he or she’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 will by no means be capable of 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” submit, I promise!
