Tonsillectomy & neck lymph node removal at the sometime surgery

Posted by fetomczyk@gmail.com @tomczyfe, Jul 13 1:41pm

I had a .09 cm cancer in left tonsil and had both tonsils removed Also was told to remove 1 infected neck 2.0 cm lymph node in the neck area only could do by modified radical neck dissection. If I wanted more non invasive partial neck dissection or sentinel lymph node biopsy surgery he would not be able to do at the sometime. I unfortunately went with the modified radical neck dissection which he said was the only way to complete as one surgery. Successfully removed both tonsils and 55 neck lymph nodes with only one being infected and 54 healthy. All clear margins which I am grateful for. I am now compromised moving forward if I need radiation which I am holding off on. Also told me I would have no lymphoma which I currently do not have 5 weeks post surgery. I also have a distinct nasal voice as soft palate has not properly sealed as of yet. A simple surgery and this is the result. I really need my nasal voice to become normal again as I am an outgoing energetic 70 year old with a zest for life that I am affected by. I am beside myself with difficult time getting any sleep or peace as I am constantly on myself for to not having 2 separate surgeries with in all likelihood great results. Anyone with similar experience? Thank you. Fred

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planetsunrise | @planetsunrise | Aug 7 10:25am

In reply to @chebo1954 "Hello Backatcha, my name’s Robert and I’m very happy you’re alive and well. If you don’t..." + (show)

Hi there. I take synthroid, 75 mcg. It varies and I have it monitored every 6-12 months. Side effects haven’t been the toughest part but losing an organ pronto does put the body into a tail spin. Aches and pains and mood swings…little by little it seems to regulate.
Hope that helps. Feel free to ask questions.

chebo1954 | @chebo1954 | Aug 7 11:46am

In reply to @planetsunrise "Hi there. I take synthroid, 75 mcg. It varies and I have it monitored every 6-12..." + (show)

Hmm, those aches & pains plus mood swings are all some of the many side effects of .75mcg of synthroid which I’m presently taking as my hypothyroidism is a side effect of my Optivo immunotherapy that I use to get for treating my stage 4 lung cancer. Thank you, Robert

planetsunrise | @planetsunrise | Aug 7 11:40pm

In reply to @chebo1954 "Hmm, those aches & pains plus mood swings are all some of the many side effects..." + (show)

Best of luck Robert. I hope things improve for you.

I should clarify that I believe and so did my endocrinologist, that my misery, aches and pains etc were from losing the thyroid and lymph nodes to MTC (medullary thyroid cancer) not the synthroid.

chebo1954 | @chebo1954 | Aug 8 3:53am

In reply to @planetsunrise "Best of luck Robert. I hope things improve for you. I should clarify that I believe..." + (show)

Then I do apologize as my thinking was that a person without a thyroid would require so much more than .75mcg of levothyroxine. Hell, I didn’t even know that a person could live without a thyroid gland, so it’s me that should be congratulating you for your survival instead of questioning you. Please forgive an old desperate man for questioning you so. Sincerely, Robert

planetsunrise | @planetsunrise | Aug 8 10:45am

In reply to @chebo1954 "Then I do apologize as my thinking was that a person without a thyroid would require..." + (show)

No apology needed. The more info we can gather the more informed questions we can throw at our Drs. I have certainly learned that unless you can be your own advocate you can easily get lost in the system.

chebo1954 | @chebo1954 | Aug 8 3:05pm

In reply to @planetsunrise "No apology needed. The more info we can gather the more informed questions we can throw..." + (show)

Psunrise, I’ve been itching but afraid to ask as it seems most everyone knows what “sometime surgery” is but I don’t, so… what is it?

roblem | @roblem | Aug 8 3:26pm

In reply to @planetsunrise "Hi there. I take synthroid, 75 mcg. It varies and I have it monitored every 6-12..." + (show)

Hi @planetsunrise & @chebo1954,

In 2008 I was officially Stage IVB T2N3M0 on left tonsil caused by HPV and one of my 3 infected lymph nodes was over 7cm and that is not a typo. I had 35 rounds of radiation which amounted to 70 Gy and 3 rounds of the platinum-based chemo Cisplatin and had no surgery.
A year later was put on Synthroid 125 mcg as my thyroid was completely damaged from my chemo/radiation treatments. So, I have been on it for 16 yrs. and have my level (TSH) tested with my PCP through a blood draw every year with my annual physical and it is no problem.

Hope that helps.

planetsunrise | @planetsunrise | Aug 8 4:17pm

In reply to @chebo1954 "Psunrise, I’ve been itching but afraid to ask as it seems most everyone knows what “sometime..." + (show)

Sometime surgery, sorry, I’m not following you.

planetsunrise | @planetsunrise | Aug 8 4:21pm

In reply to @chebo1954 "Psunrise, I’ve been itching but afraid to ask as it seems most everyone knows what “sometime..." + (show)

I’m thinking it should have said same time surgery. Not sure which post you are referring to.

planetsunrise | @planetsunrise | Aug 8 4:25pm

In reply to @roblem "Hi @planetsunrise & @chebo1954, In 2008 I was officially Stage IVB T2N3M0 on left tonsil caused..." + (show)

Nice to hear you are doing well! It seems the amount of synthroid etc that one is prescribed has little bearing on whether you have a portion of thyroid left or none. I have my TSH, T3 and T4 checked yearly. The thyroid dosage varies but by very little. 😊

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