Thyroidectomy for cancer was incomplete

Hi Nancy,
I’m so sorry to hear you are having to go thru all of this. It sounds like a botched mess! I’m in Canada and our rate of malpractice is much lower for many reasons. However, I had a serious incident in which I launched a malpractice suit regarding thyroid cancer. It is not for the faint of heart and the whole process (4yrs) took a huge toll especially during a time when I was feeling ill. The doctor’s lawyers will drag you thru the mud, bring up EVERYTHING in your life that is vaguely negative but not related. My suggestion if you pursue ( no pun intended lol), that you do your homework and gather all the support you can manage, great lawyer, family and friends. Best of luck. It’s an expensive, exhausting process.
💕
PS.. if I can help with questions please ask.

No excuse for incompetence.

I am so sorry. First, if this surgery was not done at Mayo, or Sloan Kettering or one of the top cancer hospitals, then consider changing. I would get a second opinion about another surgery to get the remaining C.
Med. Malpractice is complicated. You would need to have suffered irreparable harm. But no harm in looking into it. Again, use a top firm. They don't charge anything. If you win, they take a percentage.

Thank you so much for your caring and insight. I will try to get a second opinion from Mayo. I’m hoping to get a phone consultation since we are in Northern Nevada. Do you think since my parathyroid glands seem to be permanently damaged (still getting weekly labs and unable to stop calcium and calcitriol 6 months later) that that would be considered irreparable harm ? I am having lots of symptoms.
Thank you !
Nancy

I loved Dr. Stuckey at Mayo here in Phoenix Mayo. She was excellent.

Thank you !

Thank you so much for your response! I’ve heard from others too that it is really rough, stressful and time consuming. I’ve had 3 lawyers reject my case so far. I don’t think i have the energy to do it . And i need to overcome all the symptoms that came with damaged parathyroid glands. I read that taking calcitriol and high doses of calcium long term can cause kidney failure and brain calcifications. But that PTH replacement can reduce those dosages and result in less terrible side effects.
Have you heard about this? I am between doctors at the moment due to my endocrinologist ditching me for asking questions. My new endocrinologist appointment isn’t until February so I’m having a hard time finding someone to help me with all of this in the meantime. Feeling weary right now, but I know that I have God‘s covering And he’s been close and helping me to have peace.
Thank you, again ,❤️
Nancy

Hi Nancy
I was prescribed calcitrol,(Rocaltrol) by my endocrinologist and I took it for approx 10 years along with high doses of calcium. I don’t believe I experienced any ill effects from it and I had a huge respect for my endocrinologist. He was very well versed. I also had the parathyroid glands auto transplanted into my mastoid muscle.
Not sure if any of this helps but please feel free to reach out. Things will improve going forward and although I realize it’s a real “hit” in so many ways, it will improve. 💕
Also after your post I googled and found an interesting site, it is in the UK but may answer questions for you too.
parathyroid’s.org

Thank you so much ! It is very encouraging that you had no ill effects being on Calcitrol and Calcium for so long ! Were you getting calcium labs that whole time ? I will check out the website you shared.

Yes, regular monitoring of calcium levels. I found out thru the system that I really had to be my own advocate, do my research. I know you indicated that a doc dropped you for asking questions, but unfortunately , that was he/she’s problem. Best of luck!