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Papillary Thyroid Cancer post surgery - next steps
Hi all, I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer mid June and had a modified radical bilateral neck dissection with total thyroidectomy July 9th. 17 out of 113 nodes cancerous, several the size of golf balls and baseball size. I’m stage 2 being under 55 but stage 3 due to lung nodules as well.
Recovery has been slow post surgery due to blood loss and the extensive amount of work and structure removed from my neck from below the jaw to above the clavical. I’m completely numb from outer ears, jaw line to the clavical. How long will this take to get feeling back? Also my next steps is IRT. What are your experiences in handling iodine radiation treatment? I’ve been told I’ll most likely need several treatments. Thanks for the info as you share your experience.
~wife and mom of 3.
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Hi there.
I had a modified radical neck resection, total thyroidectomy/lymph node involvement for medullary cancer and have never regained feeling in parts of my jaw and neck. Did not have iodine treatment.
Best of luck! Feel better soon. 💕
@computernerd2b, I hope you saw the helpful post from @planetsunrise. As you prepare for the next steps you may be interested in these related discussions:
- Radioactive Iodine treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/thyroid-cancer/?search=iodine#discussion-listview
- Thyroidectomy & neck dissection: Wondering about recovery process
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/wondering-about-the-recovery-process/
- Modified radical neck dissection: What's your experience?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/modified-radical-neck-dissection/
- Papillary thyroid cancer with lymph node involvement
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lymph-node-involvement/
When do you start iodine treatments?