That is an odd put up, however I figured I would share it anyway in case somebody goes via a thyroid challenge and needs to see images of what to anticipate. Actually, 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” images, so you’ll be able to see the big 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 obtained a lot larger fairly rapidly, although, which is why it wanted to be eliminated.
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| I used to be taking a pic of my earrings (simply to ask somebody a couple of smaller stud size) so you’ll be able to’t see my entire 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 may examine that on this put up.
This can be a hematoma that shaped throughout the biopsy. I felt like possibly I made an enormous mistake in doing the biopsy (although it was mandatory)–my signs worsened and it appeared horrible. It was very painful, too.
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| 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 notice how severe a hematoma in your neck is till after I obtained residence from the biopsy and it was getting even tougher to swallow. If it continues to bleed, it might shut off your airway–so it is essential 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 mentioned 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 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 images make it look not that dangerous, but it surely was very noticeable. I saved 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 had been inserted; I feel there may be one hole needle after which six smaller needles had been handed via that to gather samples. Or possibly I am simply making that up? I feel 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 massive (even the surgeons had been type 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 exhausting to swallow.
I even began to eat softer meals as a result of I would virtually choked just a few 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 (brought on from a complication). I truthfully would not have minded! I do not like my voice and I type of preferred the little bit of raspiness I would developed.
I feel 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 unfavourable 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 appeared 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 following day, I felt prefer it simply obtained 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 anxious I used to be going to open my incision or one thing. |
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| Twelve days post-op. There may be 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 choose away the residue from the Steri-strip, and I felt prefer it appeared 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 may go away or not. It virtually feels just like the muscular 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 wanting 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 dangerous 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 one 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 is going to get higher over time, however I do not think about it is going to.
Aside from the entire thyroid stuff, not a lot has been happening. I am nonetheless not feeling higher mentally, however I observe up with my psychiatrist this month in regards to the new medicine, so I could want a better dose.
I have not misplaced any weight, though I do begin day-after-day with the mindset of getting again on observe with not solely my food regimen, however my life basically. I really feel overwhelmed; up to now behind on every little thing. Together with e-mail! If you’re ready for a response, I’m so sorry. I have been spending as little time on the pc as potential. I have been feeling actually nostalgic for the 90’s these days; I miss doing issues with out know-how in all places. So I have been engaged on that not too long ago.
And nonetheless stitching! I have been doing a whole lot of hand-sewing and hand-quilting these days. My put up about current initiatives is a couple of yr overdue now, hahaha. I simply haven’t got photos of issues, so I have to take the time to take some photos.
Noah resides at residence 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 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 observe films with him, present him methods to cook dinner issues, and so on.
I have been engaged on redoing my bed room decor as effectively. 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 exhausting 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 gentle.
My colour inspiration really got here from a quilt I’m engaged on proper now (I swore I’d *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 copy 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 just a few extra issues to do to my room (together with ending this queen-size quilt!) after which I will put up photos. Rose (Noah’s “girlfriend”; they broke up but it surely was very amicable and they’re nonetheless shut associates) loves to brighten 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 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” put up, I promise!